Uniting Arizona: A Bold Approach to Ending Homelessness Beyond the Binary

Arizona’s homelessness crisis underscores significant systemic failures, as political leaders continue to engage in ideological disputes that hinder effective solutions. As the human cost rises, the threat of reduced federal funding looms, risking the stability of an already vulnerable system. Political posturing may take precedence, but thousands of unsheltered residents are paying the price, affecting the broader community.

The Housing First approach, which prioritizes compassion, falters without a critical element: affordable housing. Data from the Morrison Institute reveal a shortfall of over 183,000 homes for residents earning 50% or less of the area median income. While bipartisan initiatives, such as permitting accessory dwelling units, are in motion, local governments often resist broader reforms due to concerns about neighborhood aesthetics. Legal actions have emerged against mandates for accessory dwelling units, and resistance to mixed-use zoning near transit areas is prevalent. Without addressing these fundamental housing needs, even the most well-constructed strategies will struggle.

Additionally, immediate relief for those experiencing homelessness remains inadequate. Expanding low-barrier shelters and transitional housing options is vital for short-term assistance. However, legislative proposals like HB2803 threaten to restrict these innovations, exacerbating the already critical housing shortage.

The ongoing debate often presents a false choice between Treatment First and Housing First. Recovery from addiction necessitates stability, trust, and time. An integrated care model that encompasses addiction treatment, mental health services, and housing proves to be the most effective path forward. Yet, policies such as HB2437, which advocate for drug-free homeless zones, may inadvertently undermine recovery by prioritizing enforcement over compassionate care.

Arizona’s homelessness response system is notably fragmented. At least six state agencies, including the Department of Economic Services and the Arizona Department of Health Services, operate disconnected programs that only incrementally touch homelessness. For instance:

• The Department of Economic Services offers temporary cash assistance but lacks partnerships that include housing solutions.
• AHCCCS provides behavioral health services without the ability to fund housing initiatives.
• The Arizona Department of Housing manages grants for affordable housing but fails to establish coordination with health care services.

This disjointed framework results in wasted resources and unmet needs. Reports indicate that Maricopa County sees 19 individuals fall into homelessness for every 10 who manage to escape it. Alarmingly, Arizona ranks 47th in mental health care access and remains last for adults with mental illness receiving any treatment.

The urgent reality shows the crisis deepening:

• Over 14,000 Arizonans experience homelessness nightly, with unsheltered rates having surged by 54% since 2020.
• Federal COVID-era housing funding is set to expire in 2024, threatening the closure of 1,200 temporary shelter beds in Phoenix alone.
• HUD’s Continuum of Care grants, critical for Arizona, face national cuts amounting to $300 million.

To mitigate the worsening crisis, Arizona must take decisive action:

• Establish a “Homelessness Czar” office to ensure coordination among state agencies like DES and AHCCCS, pooling funding and aligning goals.
• Integrate housing and health care funding, expanding the Health, Housing, and Opportunity (H2O) Medicaid waiver to support vulnerable populations.
• Invest in “human-centered” shelters that prioritize low barriers to entry and trauma-informed support, moving away from punitive measures.
• Enhance prevention strategies, including eviction diversion programs and housing instability screenings during critical transitions such as foster care exits.

Homelessness is not an inevitable occurrence but rather a consequence of policy decisions. Arizona’s leaders face a pivotal choice: continue the cycle of fragmented approaches or commit to a unified, effective collaboration in addressing both housing and health care. The time for this unity has long been overdue.

— Nicole Newhouse, Executive Director of the Arizona Housing Coalition.