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.

BY LANCE HARTZLER

Mar 21, 2025, 4:30 AM Updated: 10:36 am

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PHOENIX — Maricopa County and the city of Tempe broke ground on the East Valley Housing, Health and Human Services Center on Tuesday.

The facility will serve as the new home of the Tempe Community Action Agency (TCAA). Once construction is complete, this facility will be the first shelter TCAA has ever operated, according to a video on the Maricopa County YouTube channel.

It is designed to expand services that help unhoused and underserved residents achieve economic mobility, Maricopa County announced in a Tuesday press release.

“Breaking ground on this new facility in Tempe is more than just adding shelter beds,” Maricopa County board of supervisors chairman Thomas Galvin said in the release. “It’s about creating a hub where people can find stability, support, and a meaningful path forward.

“This investment helps people get back on their feet by providing a roof over their heads along with the resources and guidance they need to rebuild their lives.”

What is the East Valley Housing, Health and Human Services Center in Tempe?

The facility will be located near the Loop 101 and Apache Boulevard in Tempe.

Maricopa County estimates that the East Valley Housing, Health and Human Services Center will serve 40,000 clients annually, a 15% increase over the current mark.

It will offer 68 beds including 12 transitional housing-unit beds, a market-style pantry, a commercial kitchen spanning 2,000 square feet and a resource navigation and economic empowerment hub that will offer financial aid and support services.

“One of our growing populations of those individuals experiencing homelessness are those individuals that are aged 65 and above,” Maricopa County Human Services interim director Jason Matthews said in the video. “That’s why we are so happy to be partnering with amazing organizations like Tempe Community Action Agency.”

The center is near the Loop 101 (Price Freeway) light rail line, allowing those at the shelter easy access to public transportation to get to and from work. About 75% of the shelter population is employed, Carrie Aranda from TCAA said.

The center will also provide case management services to help homeless individuals find stable housing.

Officials expect the new TCAA headquarters to open by May 2026.

The facility is funded through $6 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds, which were approved by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors in December 2021. The funds were approved to help the county address housing insecurity.