The streets around the Salt River bed in Tempe, Arizona tell a story of transformation. What was once a bustling hub for the city’s homeless population is now empty, following city-led initiatives to curb homelessness. According to a report from ABC15, the number of unsheltered people in Tempe dropped from 515 to 277 since the summer of 2022, marking a 46% decrease. “It’s nice being able to live in 68-degree weather year-round,” Tommy Singley, a beneficiary of the city’s HOPE Team outreach, told the city.
While the city’s investment in homelessness seems to be paying off, with an escalation from emergency service calls peaking at 77 in 2022 down to just eight afterward, the relationship between Tempe and some local nonprofits is strained. The State Press reports that nonprofits like AZ HUGS and the Aris Foundation have faced roadblocks from the city when trying to serve the homeless population. Austin Davis, the founder of AZ HUGS, said, “It’s a great PR statement that they want to work with nonprofits… But we’ve got a lot of nonprofits that are on the ground doing the work daily, and they’re making it incredibly difficult to do the work.”
Despite some nonprofits disputing the level of collaboration, the city has emphasized their partnerships and outreach efforts. Programs such as the 24/7 CARE & HOPE Line received 9,000 phone calls in four years, and the city says it has helped about 3,000 people resolve their housing needs. In a written statement obtained by the State Press, city spokesperson Susie Steckner highlighted Tempe’s daily work with nonprofit organizations “to provide programs and services benefitting all residents in Tempe, whether they are housed or unhoused.”…