Surging Homelessness Crisis Grips Maricopa County

By Staff Reporter |

Maricopa County is witnessing a troubling rise in its homeless population. The latest Point in Time (PIT) count reveals an increase of three percent since last year, with over 9,700 individuals identified as homeless, compared to approximately 9,400 in 2023.

Adults aged 25 and older comprise over 80 percent of the homeless population. Gender demographics show that 64 percent are male and 35 percent female; one percent identifies as transgender or non-binary. This data marks a shift from previous counts where males represented around 50 percent.

In terms of racial demographics, 37 percent of the homeless identified as white, while 27 percent identified as Black or African American. Hispanic individuals made up 24 percent, and smaller percentages were reported among other groups, including Native American and Asian populations.

The county characterized this increase as consistent with trends seen in recent years. Specifically, the number of unsheltered individuals surged by 28 percent, while those in sheltered environments decreased by 16 percent. Notably, 47 percent of sheltered individuals utilized emergency shelters or transitional housing.

Maricopa County considers those residing in Safe Outdoor Spaces as unsheltered. These designated camps provide essential services, including restrooms and meal provisions. Over $13 million has been allocated from the Arizona Department of Housing to support these initiatives.

A significant portion—53 percent—of unsheltered individuals reported living on the streets or in uninhabitable locations. According to a county press release, the increase in homelessness is attributed to cuts in federal funding and rising living costs.

“The expiration of federal funding has meant a loss of over 1,000 shelter beds,” the county stated. The ongoing challenges relate to high rental costs and a lack of access to vital supportive services, such as mental health care.

Rachel Milne, co-chair of the Maricopa Regional Continuum of Care, stressed the need for increased funding to alleviate homelessness. She noted that federal funds had previously enabled the community to enhance services and increase shelter availability.

An investigative report from last year highlighted that Phoenix has invested at least $250 million in homelessness solutions since 2021. Over the last two decades, the Continuum of Care has received more than $550 million in funding, supporting around 32 programs in collaboration with 11 agencies.

The county conducts its annual PIT count on a specific day using a dedicated team of volunteers and outreach workers to gather data through surveys and interviews.