Phoenix officials to use light rail to help homeless people find resources
Dec 3, 2017, 1:19 PM | Updated: 5:44 pm
(Facebook/Valley Metro)
(Facebook/Valley Metro)
PHOENIX — The Phoenix City Council approved a program last week that will aim to connect homeless individuals with resources that they need by using the city’s light rail.
Albert Santana, a spokesman with the Phoenix Public Transit department, said the program will involve two staff members who will monitor the light rail to connect homeless people with resources, such as housing and healthcare.
The council approved the program‘s $125,000 budget at its meeting last Wednesday.
It is a part of a city-wide program called PHX C.A.R.E.S, which aims to connect homeless individuals with the services they need and “reduce the impact of unsheltered homelessness” in the city.
The program was established earlier this year to combat what city officials saw as a rising homeless issue in Phoenix over the last couple of years.
Santana said the transit department has wanted to join the effort to combat homelessness in the city while making sure light rail passengers have a positive experience.
“We want to make sure we’re doing our part,” he said, adding that officials want to be proactive in approaching the interests of residents while doing it in an effective and sensitive way.
KTAR News’ Nailea Leon contributed to this report.
