A recently released report shows the number of people in Maricopa County experiencing homelessness is increasing, but the number of people living on the street has declined.

Numbers released last week from the federally mandated one day Point-in-Time count conducted in January show 9,642 people experiencing homelessness within the region, an increase of 616 people over 2022 or about 7 percent, according to a release from the Maricopa Association of Governments.

The unsheltered count identified 4,908 people living in a place not meant for human habitation, such as on the street, in desert washes or in vehicles, the survey showed.

That number was a decrease of 2 percent over 2022.

The sheltered count, meanwhile, identified 4,734 people living in temporary housing. The sheltered count increased by 18 percent, “demonstrating the investments in temporary housing made by local and tribal governments over the past year,” the MAG release stated. 

“These new numbers underscore the ongoing challenge we face in addressing homelessness, which continues to be of major concern to the region and a priority for MAG,” Kenn Weise, mayor of Avondale and the chair of MAG, said.

“This issue matters to everyone residing in our region. Homelessness has far-reaching effects that impact individuals, families, neighborhoods, and communities. It is first a human concern, but it also significantly impacts society and the economy.”

The number of people experiencing homelessness has continued to rise in recent years. The Maricopa County region has experienced increases from 2014 to 2022, which is consistent with national trends.

“The pandemic intensified the challenges in the region, placing more people at risk of experiencing homelessness.” Vicki Phillips, chief clinical and development officer of Community Bridges Inc., said.

“Although additional investments are being made in temporary housing, increasing rental rates and lack of affordable housing continue to lead to overall increases in homelessness,” she said.

The annual Point in Time homelessness county is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and occurs in each metropolitan region in the United States on the fourth Tuesday in January.

MAG coordinates the county’s regional count, which provides “a one day-snapshot of homelessness,” the release stated.

The count uses volunteer teams that include city, county and state representatives as well as community and faith-based organizations, businesses and private residents.