More than 7,400 people experienced homelessness in Maricopa County on the night of Jan. 27 as part of Maricopa Association of Governments’ annual Point-in-Time count, marking an overall increase of 11% over last year.
Officials say the increase continues a troubling upward trend signifying Maricopa County is not keeping up with the impending homelessness crisis.
And experts say these numbers could grow in Arizona with thousands of residents out of work.
Add to that an order from Gov. Doug Ducey blocking people affected by COVID-19 from being evicted from their homes that could expire in October.
The good news is federal funding is headed to Arizona intended to keep people from becoming homeless.
UMOM New Day Centers received $3.65 million in CARES Act funding from the city of Phoenix, to expand its housing programs from serving 500 households to 800 households during the next 12 months.
To do that, UMOM, the city of Phoenix and HOM Inc. are increasing their efforts to bring Valley landlords on board to help connect those experiencing homelessness with permanent housing.
HOM Inc. CEO Mike Shore said the partnership has worked to bring Valley landlords into the program to facilitate new tenants for those without a home.
“We have been amping efforts right now,” he said. “The big thing we are doing right now is our landlord search.”
The effort is based on the Rapid Rehousing model, a program that UMOM has operated since 2011. It helps people find and move into a home in their community. The idea is that people are in a better position to address the challenges that may have led to their homelessness — finding a job, attending to health issues — when they are in permanent housing.
Daniel Davis, UMOM’s housing director, said the Rapid Rehousing model has proven to help — the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs funding has provided Rapid Rehousing services for more than 220,000 veterans and about one-third of families leaving homelessness receives rapid rehousing.
The CARES funding will allow those dealing with homelessness — individuals and families — access to available units ranging from studios to four bedrooms, which will give them the stability to get back on their feet, he said.
And the program is a fraction of the cost of other homeless interventions, such as shelter and transitional housing, he said.
“Getting temporary shelters was our first thought, but we found it would be cheaper to follow the Rapid Rehousing program. This would take people off the canals, put them in a their own lease and their rent would be subsidized,” Mr. Davis said.
During the course of the program, UMOM connects the family or individual to the community, employment, child care and medical resources. As their income increases, through a job, benefits or a family member, HOM decreases its financial assistance, while a case manager continues to evaluate the situation with the family.
Mr. Shore said HOM partners with landlords and pays participants’ rent and move-in costs in-full at the beginning and decreases payment as they are able to pay their own way.
As part of the process, HOM’s services include performing gross rent calculations, determining rent eligibility, performing rent reasonableness determinations, conducting habitability standards and inspections, as well as facilitating lease execution between tenants and landlords.
The program usually lasts six to seven months, but because of the pandemic, participants are more likely to be on the program for nine to 12 months, and slowly weaned off the subsidy by the end of that period, Mr. Shore said.
“In the beginning, they could be coming out of a homeless shelter with no job. Families come to our office, we have orientation with their case manager, find out how much they can afford. Inspect the home to make sure it is safe, evaluate their rent and make sure they are being charged reasonably,” he said. “The program participant is the leaseholder and HOM signs a separate contract with the landlord to provide financial rental assistance during the tenancy. Risk mitigation funds are also available for move-out charges or unpaid rent at the end of the tenancy. It is an attractive program for the landlord.”
HOM paid about $2.9 million to landlords during July to help individuals and families experiencing homelessness to secure and retain permanent, affordable rental housing.
He said funding for Rapid Rehousing programming — both rental assistance payments and payment for case management — generally comes from mostly federal government grants with some provided by the state, county, city and philanthropy.
CARES Act funding will allow as many as 300 more individuals or families access to permanent housing.
“Rapid Rehousing is being administered or offered by communities across the country,” Mr. Shore said. “It’s a standard intervention and while relatively new, it’s not a novel or promising approach. It’s a best practice.”
HOM works with about 700 private landlords at apartment complexes, property management companies, and individual owners and operators.
Marsha Thomason, a longtime UMOM partner and property manager of Palm Vista, 4138 N. Longview Ave., Phoenix, said HOM and UMOM have played an important role in helping to house families.
“Sometimes people just need a lift up, a second chance, an opportunity for a new start,” she said. “We’re proud to be able to help and make a positive impact in our community.”
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Agencies aim to bring 300 more people off the streets - Your Valley
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