The landscape of emergency housing in Mesa is undergoing a change, as La Mesita Family Homeless Shelter, an establishment with a three-decade legacy, will no longer serve in its long-standing role. The 16-unit facility, managed by the nonprofit A New Leaf, has been a sanctuary for families facing the harsh realities of homelessness. Providing not just a roof but a semblance of a home, with essential services like food boxes, sanitary products, and a secure environment for children. They were allowed up to 120 days of respite in the private apartments available on-site. Families could also access resources aimed at aiding in acquiring long-term stability.
However, this chapter comes to a close as ABC15 reports that due to funding shortages, A New Leaf has been compelled to end its emergency shelter services at La Mesita. Instead, the units will be converted to affordable housing options. In the words of Laura Bode, A New Leaf’s Chief Philanthropy Officer, “So unfortunately, we’ve had to make a really tough decision to transition the shelter to affordable housing.” This decision has prompted concerns regarding the organization’s budget, particularly the CEO’s salary of approximately $289,000 as revealed by 2023’s tax documents, a figure seemingly misaligned with these budgetary constraints, despite its alignment with industry standards for the region, as a governance board study shows.
While the transformation of La Mesita signifies a loss for emergency housing, it aims to continue addressing homelessness through long-term solutions. The nonprofit will now provide affordable housing to low-income families, ensuring that they do not pay more rent than they can afford. Support services will remain available on the campus to bolster stability and success. According to A New Leaf’s website, the driving belief is that no child or family should face homelessness alone; an ethos that underpins their ongoing mission…