Maricopa County recently released 2025 point-in-time numbers for homelessness in the county.
Captured on Jan. 27, 2025, there was a recorded total of 9,734 people experiencing homelessness in Maricopa County. A total of 47% of that population was sheltered in an emergency shelter, transitional housing or safe-haven programs. A total of 53% were categorized as unsheltered, which was defined as on the streets or other places not meant for human habitation.
Of that unsheltered count in 2025, 262 were from Mesa. That was the third most out of all the listed municipalities, with only Tempe (306) and Phoenix (3,761) with more. However, that number is down from the 2024 point-in-time count of 309 unsheltered for the city. For reference, in 2022, the PIT count of unsheltered individuals for Mesa was 451.
Lindsey Balinkie, Mesa deputy director of community services, says that while the numbers are going down, that piece of data does not tell the full story about homelessness in the city.
“It’s really important to acknowledge that this is just one piece of data when we’re looking at homelessness and how it affects the city,” Balinkie said. “We’re seeing the numbers go up as far as the number of residents that receive services related to homelessness goes.”
Those services are very important, and part of a collaborative effort between the city and many different organizations to provide support to the unhoused population in Mesa.
“We have an Office of Homeless Solutions, and we have a dedicated staff with dedicated volunteers,” Mesa Mayor Mark Freeman said. “We do outreach within our community to help conduct this coordination and collaboration with 10 agencies within Mesa that address homelessness.”
According to Balinkie, Mesa also has a contract with Phoenix Rescue Mission, a Christian nonprofit that provides various outreach and programs for homeless individuals across the Valley. Balinkie said Phoenix Rescue mission has 12 outreach navigators in Mesa who proactively seek out unhoused populations in Mesa to provide them with support and get them connected with resources.
What helps is that many of the outreach navigators have experienced homelessness themselves, according to Balinkie, which helps them connect to the experiences of the people they are serving.
“These are people that typically have lived experience within homelessness and can act as a peer in relating to people that are in need of services and are going through something similar to what they’ve gone through,” Balinkie said. “They’re highly knowledgeable about what services and resources are available and the time in which they’re needed.”
Freeman said there is widespread public support for many of the programs and resources that address homelessness, but it can be difficult for these programs to get proper funding from the city due to how expensive thy are.
The city often requires outside sources in order for the programs to get the money they need, according to Freeman.
“We’re kind of handcuffed in way because funding these programs are expensive and the way we like to do it is through grant funds or collaboration with our nonprofits,” Freeman said. “There’s a lot of great people that will donate money to help alleviate homelessness in our community.”
Freeman brought up another wrinkle, that being chronic homelessness. The federal Government defines chronic homelessness as living in a place not meant for human habitation or an emergency shelter, has disability, and has been homeless continuously for one year or four or more times in the last three years. According to the PIT data, the total number of chronically homeless in Maricopa County increased by 109% from 2019 to 2025.
The mayor said chronically homeless individuals may be less likely to seek out or accept help. However, Freeman said the city aims to deal with this subset of the homeless population as humanely as possible.
“Instead of just citing them and sending them to jail and then releasing them on the street, what we have in the city of Mesa is a community court specifically designed for homelessness.” Freeman said. “They get a citation and are required to show up in court. They have the opportunity to go to court and get wraparound services for through our behavioral health group, or they can get support for housing, financial help, or get their ID.”
Balinkie said it’s important to be aware of the stigma around homelessness, especially chronic homelessness, and that everyone experiences homelessness differently. She urged people to not be quick to judge those who are chronically homeless and may be less willing to accept help.
“A lot of first-time homeless are used to having resources and are not used to being homeless and there’s potentially more services for those kind of individuals,” Balinkie said. “It’s looked at differently with people that are ‘not willing’ to accept services. Maybe it’s that the services aren’t being offered in a way that they’re able to receive them.”
For Mesa, it’s a goal to make sure services are available for any type of homelessness that is experienced, regardless of the circumstance, according to Balinkie.
“Our navigation teams are so good at being king and engaging and meeting people where they are no matter where they are on the spectrum and time frame for being homeless,” Balinkie said.
And if any Mesa resident wants to help out or volunteer, Freeman said there are many options available.
“The nonprofits are always looking for volunteers. Go out and volunteer and reach out to organizations like Paz de Cristo or St. Vincent de Paul,” Freeman said. “If someone wants to make donations to places like A New Leaf or Phoenix Rescue Mission, that’s always an option as well.”
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