1st phase of Senior Bridge transitional housing opens in Phoenix

PHOENIX — Senior Bridge, a transitional housing complex for those 55 and older, has opened up its first slate of units, the city of Phoenix announced Thursday. 

Forty units for those needing “light-touch support on their path to permanent housing” are now ready, with an additional 56 coming in the project’s second phase, according to a city press release.

The new complex, which is operating in partnership with homeless advocate Mercy House, is located at 28th and Van Buren streets. Phoenix invested $750,000 for the first batch of units and plans to plug in $9.6 million for the second phase.

Mayor Kate Gallego spoke at a press conference to celebrate the opening of Senior Bridge, saying the city council and her office always make “unanimous and broadly-supported” housing decisions and this one will continue to show off Phoenix’s knack for innovation.

“We know a lot of people want to live here and we want to make sure everyone has a safe place to call home,” Gallego said. “This project has a lot of people who came together to make it happen. I’m so thankful to all of you who worked with us on that.”

The Phoenix City Council in February approved a five-prong plan to address the homelessness epidemic in the greater area, with a goal to reduce it by 2029. Housing is one of the five pillars, and it is followed by prevention, neighborhood safety, coordination and accountability.

Last year’s annual Point-in-Time homelessness count, which is ran by the Maricopa Association of Governments, displayed a 3% increase in those without permanent living situations. This year’s count will be released in mid-spring.

Mercy House, in addition to operating the new housing site, will work with Phoenix-owned shelters “to connect eligible residents to this safe, stable housing option,” the city press release said.

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