Phoenix’s approach to addressing homelessness will look to provide housing and shelter options on several fronts and may include road signs to discourage panhandling.
The plan also preaches patience and persistence in trying to connect homeless people to available services, with task force members saying it often takes between 9 and 15 contacts before a person agrees to try a service.
Maricopa County has seen a 35% increase in homelessness, according to the Point-in-Time count overseen by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. According to the count, there are 3,096 homeless people living in Phoenix, which accounts for about 62% of the county’s total of 5,029.
