ARIZONA NEWS

Tempe offering new phone number to help people experiencing homelessness

Jun 16, 2023, 8:00 PM | Updated: Jun 19, 2023, 11:02 am

PHOENIX — Anyone who wants to help people sleeping on neighborhood sidewalks or private property can call a new phone number to access Tempe homeless solutions.

“We set up a line this last summer called the HOPE and CARE Line,” Tempe Director of Community Health and Human Services Tim Burch told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Arizona’s Evening News. “We’ve already had on average about 100, 150 calls a week and about half of those are around and dealing with folks who are homeless.”

Call 480-350-8004 to reach the Homeless Outreach Prevention Effort (HOPE), a city-run volunteer group that helps people get back on their feet — and out of residents’ front yards or carports.

Many of the calls come directly from people experiencing homelessness who want to get off the streets. “This phone number is for everyone to be able to use,” Burch said. “We also set up an innovative reporting app.”

Best Tempe homeless solutions

Residents can download the 311 app on iPhone or Android. It’s part of the city’s “One Call to City Hall” service at 480-350-4311, which addresses various city-related problems from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays. It’s not meant for emergencies; it’s more for reporting encampments.

“It really helps us track and clean all the debris and keep people safe and offer housing to anyone in our community who needs it,” Burch said.

On the other hand, the HOPE line is for people who need help. “We have more people who are calling, saying, ‘Hey, we just want to make sure that folks have water occasionally. Can you come out and do a welfare check on them?'” Burch said. “We’re really appreciative to all of our Tempe residents for keeping an eye out for their neighbors.”

Burch emphasized that the HOPE line is for both housed and unhoused people.

“If someone you know or love or lives with you is in a mental health crisis, you can call that line as well,” Burch said.

“We also know those types of things preempt or lead up to someone becoming homeless. So we’d like to work with folks before they find themselves in that situation.”

It’s not an emergency line, though. That would be the 2-1-1 Arizona service at (877) 211-8661. “The 2-1-1 actually routes calls to our crisis response team,” Burch said.

Those in search of more homeless assistance should check out KTAR News’ resource roundup here.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

Two Arizona Department of Economic Security Employees were convicted of receiving bribes to approv...

David Veenstra

2 state employees convicted of receiving bribes

Two Arizona Department of Economic Security Employees were convicted of receiving bribes to approve unemployment insurance claims.

7 hours ago

pay raise for troopers Arizona Department of Public Safety 2025...

Serena O'Sullivan

Katie Hobbs says DPS troopers, who seized 2,647 pounds of fentanyl pills last year, deserve 5% raise

Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs reiterated her desire to institute a pay raise for troopers with the Arizona Department of Public Safety on Tuesday.

8 hours ago

FILE - This undated booking photo provided by the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation...

David Veenstra

Arizona Supreme Court grants request to carry out state’s 1st execution since 2022

The Arizona Supreme Court granted a request to carry out the state's first execution since 2022, authorities announced on Tuesday.

11 hours ago

An Arizona woman pleaded guilty in a fraud scheme that generated millions of dollars for herself an...

David Veenstra

Arizona woman pleads guilty in fraud scheme that benefited North Korea

An Arizona woman pleaded guilty in a fraud scheme that generated millions of dollars for herself and for North Korea. 

11 hours ago

A retired deputy from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department was convicted of luring a minor i...

David Veenstra

Retired LA deputy convicted of luring a minor in Arizona

A retired deputy from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department was convicted of luring a minor in Arizona, authorities announced on Tuesday.

13 hours ago

Man shot in head in Tempe...

KTAR.com

Man shot in head in Tempe trying to drive himself to hospital crashes into vehicles

A man who was shot in the head and attempting to drive himself to the hospital crashed into two vehicles on Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.

14 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Bright Wealth Management

How IRAs are a helpful tool in retirement planning

When it comes to retirement planning, individual retirement accounts (IRAs) can be a great tool for income growth.

...

Bright Wealth Management

How to save money on retirement planning following 2024 election

PHOENIX -- With the 2024 election over, economic changes could impact how people plan for retirement as 2025 is on the horizon.

...

Sanderson Ford

Sanderson Ford’s Operation Santa Claus: Spreading holiday cheer through pickleball

Phoenix, AZ – Sanderson Ford, a staple in the Arizona community, is once again gearing up for its annual Operation Santa Claus charity drive.

Tempe offering new phone number to help people experiencing homelessness