Phoenix is centering housing—affordable housing, permanent supportive housing, and eviction protections—in a new planning framework designed to reduce the number of homeless people living on the streets of the city.
The Phoenix City Council recently approved a sweeping plan to address the city's growing numbers of homeless people living on the streets. The plan "calls for a regional distribution of homeless shelters and resources, more affordable housing options, enhanced neighborhood encampment cleanups and more mental health services," reports Jessica Boehm.
According to the most recent counts, the number of people living in Phoenix without homes has reached the record number tally of 7,400. "More than half of those are not living in a shelter and instead stay on the streets, in vehicles or in other areas not meant for habitation," according to Boehm.
The plan calls for goals and strategies on the themes of outreach and resources, mental health, workforce development, eviction protection, shelters, permanent supportive housing, affordable housing, encampment cleanups, and neighborhoods—highlighting the central role of housing to Phoenix's approach to the challenges of homelessness.
The entire "Strategies to Address Homelessness" plan is attached to the Phoenix City Council's meeting files for Tuesday, October 27.
FULL STORY: 'Stepping up to do more': Phoenix council approves broad plan to address homelessness, affordable housing
The Four Kinds of Housing that Help the Homeless
Projects to add housing resources to help give homeless people a roof over the head have run into all sorts of public opposition—often times fueled by ignorance of how different kinds of homeless housing options work.
San Diego Not Even Close to Meeting Permanent Housing Goals for Homeless
The city’s new $6.5 million "bridge shelters" are providing a place to stay, but not accomplishing what they set out to do.
The Cost of Solving Homelessness in Seattle: $400 Million
It’s "dramatically higher" than any number under discussion, and not even close to what the city will raise with its new tax on large businesses.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
Seattle's Plan for Adopting Driverless Cars
Equity, safety, accessibility and affordability are front of mind as the city prepares for robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles.
As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.
With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)