City Council Explores Innovative Solutions for Homelessness Crisis

On January 29, the Sedona City Council approved a $15,000 allocation to support a voucher program managed by Catholic Charities Community Services. This initiative aims to provide overnight hotel accommodations for homeless individuals during severe weather conditions.

Housing Manager Jeanne Blum noted the city had previously directed funds towards a cold, wet weather emergency program that was proposed during the fiscal year 2024. “We are in fiscal 2025 and we are just getting this off the ground,” she said.

Former Housing Manager Shannon Boone indicated that a lack of resources, particularly a printer for the vouchers, had delayed the program’s launch prior to her departure from her role earlier this year.

The Sedona Police Department will facilitate the program. Police officers will assess which homeless individuals require assistance during hazardous weather. The decision to activate the program will rest with law enforcement, who will contact participating hotels, assist in transportation, and ensure proper handoff to hotel personnel.

Acting Deputy Police Chief Chris Dowell clarified that individuals exhibiting disorderly behavior won’t be eligible for this program.

Currently, six hotels have agreed to participate. According to Sedona Lodging Council President Cheryl Barron, the discussed nightly rates will range from $130 to $150, maintaining consistency across all hotels.

Catholic Charities will manage the operational details, receiving data from the police department, handling hotel payments, and submitting reimbursements to the city. These efforts will also contribute to the federal Homeless Management Information System database.

Mayor Scott Jablow emphasized the importance of police involvement in securing hotel cooperation for the program.

In response to resident Bill Noonan’s concerns raised during a previous council meeting, Blum defended Catholic Charities as a well-established and respected nonprofit organization thoroughly vetted by the Housing Department.

Noonan had claimed the organization had faced significant issues, including fraud and misconduct allegations. During the meeting, Councilman Derek Pfaff inquired about the program’s start timeline, to which Blum responded that it could be operational within three weeks to a month.

Following unanimous approval from the council, Catholic Charities will receive a three-year contract to manage the voucher program, allowing for up to 30% of the funds to cover overhead and administrative costs.

Homelessness

A lengthy discussion ensued following the vote, involving representatives from various organizations focused on addressing homelessness in the Verde Valley. Participants included agencies such as Viam Advising, St. Vincent de Paul, and local government representatives.

Emerging themes from the conversation included the need for targeted services for those seeking housing and strategies to manage individuals opting for homelessness. Experts stress the importance of effective collaboration among police forces, city staff, and nonprofits for better management of homeless populations.

Public Camping

Councilwoman Melissa Dunn requested clarity in future reports regarding the status of itinerant workers versus the homeless population. Pfaff reiterated his disinterest in supporting a lifestyle centered around public camping. Christian Roper of the U.S. Forest Service shared that measures to restrict camping on public lands aim to address long-term encampments, yet noted that efforts thus far have merely moved encampments to different locations.

Others in attendance highlighted the need to focus services on individuals inclined toward improving their economic status. Bill Mitchell from Arizona Complete Health emphasized his organization’s commitment to aid individuals seeking to re-enter the workforce.

“Some need a push towards available services,” Dowell explained, emphasizing the importance of alternatives within the judicial system to promote responsible behavior.

According to Maureen Koza of St. Vincent de Paul, maintaining tenant engagement in rent payments is crucial to preventing dependency on charitable services. Cottonwood Police Chief Brian Freudenthal added the value of a specialized homelessness officer who could connect individuals with necessary services.

Tracking

Councilman Pete Furman inquired about the development of a database specific to the Verde Valley’s homeless population and the potential for real-time tracking tools for police use. Camie Rasband from Catholic Charities indicated that gaining access to the mandated HMIS database could facilitate better tracking efforts.

David Bridge of the Arizona Department of Housing noted the ongoing efforts to integrate the HMIS with other agency databases to prioritize mental health assistance for affected individuals. Roper reiterated that the U.S. Forest Service has already implemented apps to monitor visitor safety.

During the meeting, there were no contributions from homeless individuals present.