A shelter intended to bring some of the most vulnerable throughout Phoenix out of the heat in time for summer is running into issues within the community that would host it.
The proposed City of Phoenix-owned site near the intersection of 71st Avenue and Van Buren Street is part of the Estrella Village neighborhood, and the plot sits next to multiple distribution centers.
Concerned neighbors in the community say the city dropped the ball on notifying them about the site, not giving them enough time to make their voices heard in opposition. Multiple community leaders said they were not given notification of the planned shelter, while those who said they did receive notices reported they only got them in early January.
During a well-attended meeting on Thursday night, community members had their first opportunity to voice concerns on the record about the proposed 300-bed homeless shelter.
Many community members expressed to ABC15 on Friday that they supported the need for more shelters in Phoenix, and there were aspects of the plan that they liked, but that the specific location chosen by the city could be detrimental to Estrella Village. The proposed site is located about half a mile from Fowler Elementary School, and under two miles from South Ridge High School and Midtown High School.