Tempe wants to make it easier for residents to reclaim personal belongings left behind at parks, facilities and other city locations.

This new effort would benefit the entire Tempe community, but particularly homeless individuals whose homelessness could be extended if they lose IDs, documents or personal belongings, according to a news release from the city. For instance, a homeless veteran without an ID may be unable to access military benefits or housing.

The city issued a Request for Proposal this month to identify qualified vendors to log, transport and store personal belongings found at parks, city facilities, bus stops, pathways and other locations. Individuals who have lost something would then go to the storage location to pick up their belongings.

The storage solution is part of a citywide strategy to expand services that assist homeless individuals and families while also ensuring that public spaces are safe and welcoming.

The City Council has invested heavily in this strategy and funding supports broad efforts through Human Services, Community Services, Tempe Police, Neighborhood Services and Communication and Media Relations.

As part of this investment, the City Council approved a $25,000 request last year from Community Services to support the storage plan.

“Our goal is to create an easy way for all residents to reclaim important items that have been left behind on city property,” said Community Services Director Keith Burke in a prepared statement. “For individuals who are homeless, this is especially important. They are not going to be able to access social services, shelter or housing without IDs, birth certificates and other documents. We want to eliminate barriers to getting help.”

The storage solution idea grew out of the city’s Homeless Solutions Task Force, which identified a need to secure property that is left behind in public places and at encampments that are scheduled for cleanup.

As part of the city’s storage RFP, the vendor would:

• Be on call and respond in a timely manner, as well as be available during encampment cleanups.
• Log, transport and store property, as well as reunite property with owners.
• Offer regular hours of operation so that homeless individuals can have access to any unclaimed belongings at the storage location.
• Ideally be located in Tempe and close to bus routes.

Proposals are due to the city by March 3. Find the RFP here.

Learn more about the city’s Homeless Solutions: tempe.gov/EndingHomelessness.