Phoenix’s unsheltered homeless population grew by 28 percent last year.
Phoenix and Oakland both recently issued draft action plans to reduce homelessness focused on permanent housing, reports Ryan Kushner in Smart Cities Dive.
Oakland’s plan sets a goal of cutting homelessness in half by 2031 and aims to provide an additional 3,630 housing units or vouchers over the next five years. “The overall plan has a funding goal of $406 million annually, with $122 million to potentially come from the city and county.” The plan includes proposals to increase outreach and trash removals at encampment sites and enforcing priority no-camping zones.
Phoenix’s updated strategic plan calls for “developing new housing models” but dedicates no funding to that initiative. “Over the past three years, Phoenix has added more than 1,200 shelter beds, but much of its funding for homelessness solutions has come from federal pandemic-era grants set to expire soon, KJZZ reported.” The new plan calls for a “coordinated, humane enforcement approach” and new rules for the use of public space.
FULL STORY: 2 major cities update homelessness plans to focus on permanent housing
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