Arizona Homelessness News

AgTech applied treated sewage sludge on leased state land in Yuma County, seen in a University of Arizona video. (Screenshot via University of Arizona)

DAVID IVERSEN

Arizona cancels state land leases for company spreading sewage sludge in Yuma County

The city of Phoenix is seeking to extend a special permit to continue operating the its outdoor shelter “Safe Outdoor Space” in downtown for another four years, with the current permit set to expire in October.

BALIN OVERSTOLZ MCNAIR

City of Phoenix aims to extend outdoor shelter permit set to expire

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JULY 25: People gather and watch the sunset from South Mountain Park amid the city's worst heat wave on record on July 25, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. While Phoenix endures periods of extreme heat every year, today marked the 26th straight day of temperatures reaching 110 degrees or higher, a new record amid a long duration heat wave in the Southwest. Extreme heat kills more people than hurricanes, floods and tornadoes combined in an average year in the U.S. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

DAVID IVERSEN

Maricopa County heat deaths surge past 2025’s pace as officials expand cooling resources

Circle the City and Valle del Sol filed a lawsuit and a motion for preliminary injunction against the city of Phoenix Monday, challenging a Phoenix parks ordinance. (AP Photo/Terry Tang)

DOUGLAS SANTO

Circle the City files lawsuit over Phoenix parks ordinance, alleges it directly targets homeless people

Family homelessness in the Phoenix area is still on an upward trend, and one advocate is calling on Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs to act. (KTAR News photo/Balin Overstolz-McNair)

BALIN OVERSTOLZ MCNAIR

Advocate calls for state of emergency to address family homelessness in Phoenix area

New data from the 2026 Point-in-Time homelessness count shows a mixed bag of progress in Maricopa County.

BALIN OVERSTOLZ MCNAIR

New homeless data shows increase in shelter population as total remains flat

The Phoenix City Council approved new restrictions on food distribution within its parks in a 6-3 vote Wednesday night.

BALIN OVERSTOLZ MCNAIR

In 6-3 vote, Phoenix City Council adopts regulations on food distribution in parks

The Latest

BALIN OVERSTOLZ MCNAIR | Apr 16, 2026
Phoenix considers restrictions to homeless services in parks as nonprofits push back

Advocates for the homeless population are pushing back on Phoenix's plan to require permits for medical treatment and food distribution in city parks.
SERENA O'SULLIVAN | Apr 14, 2026
Homeless defendants show up at far higher rates in specialty Phoenix court, judge says

The Phoenix Community Court, which debuted two years ago, is getting more homeless defendants to show up for hearings than traditional courts.
DOUGLAS SANTO | Apr 4, 2026
Phoenix Rescue Mission seeks donations ahead of annual summer relief campaign

The Phoenix Rescue Mission will kick off its 14th annual Code:Red Summer Heat Relief Campaign on May 1 and is seeking donations now.
SERENA O'SULLIVAN | Feb 12, 2026
Phoenix City Council launches new 5-prong strategy to cut down on homelessness

The Phoenix City Council approved a new strategic plan to address homelessness, according to a Wednesday announcement.
BALIN OVERSTOLZ MCNAIR | Jan 29, 2026
Valley communities undergo 2026 Point-in-Time count for local homelessness numbers

The Maricopa Association of Governments and cities across the Valley conducted the 2026 Point-in-Time count this week to get an estimate on the number of local unsheltered and sheltered homeless populations.
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SERENA O'SULLIVAN | Jan 20, 2026
Volunteers needed for 2026 Point in Time homelessness count in metro Phoenix

The Maricopa County Association of Governments will host the 2026 Point in Time homelessness count on Jan. 27 before the sun rises.
BALIN OVERSTOLZ MCNAIR | Jan 20, 2026
Valley mothers share frustrations with local responses to homelessness

As local responses to homelessness continue to evolve, two unhoused Valley moms have been left looking for safe spaces for their families.
COLTON KROLAK | Dec 9, 2025
Trump administration pauses changes to HUD funding after backlash from Arizona, others

The Trump administration has paused changes to federal housing services funding that provides support for those experiencing homelessness.
SERENA O'SULLIVAN | Nov 25, 2025
Arizona joins new lawsuit against HUD over cuts to housing insecurity services

Changing HUD policies sparked the 31st lawsuit Arizona is now involved in. It addresses funding shifts launched by the federal housing department.
TOM KUEBEL | Nov 18, 2025
Homes for Heroes program announces 4 organizations to receive grant funding

Four organizations were honored with grants from the Homes for Heroes program that assists veterans with housing, health care and more.
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JEFF VINTON | Oct 30, 2025
Phoenix Rescue Mission saves over 700 unhoused people during summer heat relief campaign

The Phoenix Rescue Mission's Code:Red Heat Relief Campaign led to 712 unhoused people being saved during the hottest months of the year.
BALIN OVERSTOLZ MCNAIR | Aug 5, 2025
Tempe voters likely to decide on new city park use and event rules

Tempe city rules would limit public events and aid efforts in shared spaces, but a petition effort could leave voters to make the final decision.
SERENA O'SULLIVAN | Jul 31, 2025
UMOM New Day Centers gets $250K grant to renovate emergency shelter campus

A large emergency shelter campus, UMOM New Day Centers in Phoenix, is set to expand to serve even more unhoused people in the Valley.
KYLIE WERNER | Jul 31, 2025
Homeless ID Project hosts campout to raise awareness as funding gets cut

Members of the board and staff from the Homeless ID Project spent the night outside on Tuesday to raise awareness about homelessness increasing while funding for it decreases and is under threat.
SERENA O'SULLIVAN | Jul 18, 2025
Phoenix Rescue Mission’s summer campaign saves 250 unhoused people from streets

This year's summer heat relief campaign launched by Phoenix Rescue Mission saved 250 unhoused people from the streets since starting May 1.
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BALIN OVERSTOLZ MCNAIR | Jul 2, 2025
Tempe approves event restrictions over objections from advocates for homeless people

New Tempe event permitting rules were approved unanimously despite objections from advocates for people experiencing homelessness.
BALIN OVERSTOLZ MCNAIR | Jun 27, 2025
Valley nonprofit emphasizes need for compassion in helping unhoused

The founder of a Valley nonprofit emphasizes the need for compassion as the organization works every week to help people experiencing homelessness.
KEVIN STONE | May 29, 2025
2025 Maricopa County PIT count shows 3% rise in regional homelessness

The annual Maricopa County PIT count showed a 3% increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness in metro Phoenix since last year.
COLTON KROLAK | Apr 30, 2025
Project Connect event provides access to homelessness services in Tempe

Dozens of community organizations came together in Tempe to offer homelessness services at an event called Project Connect.
ROXANNE DE LA ROSA | Apr 18, 2025
Downtown Phoenix housing project opens for homeless veterans and seniors

A new downtown Phoenix housing project that will serve homeless veterans and seniors held a grand opening ceremony on Monday.
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LANCE HARTZLER | Mar 21, 2025
Maricopa County, Tempe break ground on permanent housing and services center

Maricopa County and the city of Tempe broke ground for the East Valley Housing, Health, and Human Services Center on Tuesday.
KEVIN STONE | Feb 4, 2025
Construction starts on transitional housing project for veterans in West Valley

Construction is underway on VCP of Glendale, a transitional housing project for veterans experiencing homelessness and their families.
BALIN OVERSTOLZ MCNAIR | Jan 30, 2025
2025 Maricopa County point-in-time homeless count another chance to help those in need

City officials gathered on Tuesday for the 2025 Maricopa County point-in-time homeless count to acquire data for federal funding.
BALIN OVERSTOLZ MCNAIR | Jan 17, 2025
The Haven opens in Phoenix, providing solutions for unhoused seniors

A new shelter for unhoused seniors in Phoenix is now taking in occupants after it was converted from a closed-down hotel.
KEVIN STONE | Jan 16, 2025
Volunteers needed for 2025 point-in-time homelessness count in metro Phoenix

Valley officials are recruiting volunteers to help document the number of people experiencing homelessness in metro Phoenix.