Tempe non-profit clashes with city and state over homelessness emergency
On Thursday, founder of Tempe non-profit "AZ Hugs" Austin Davis gathered some of the 85 families currently living in a Motel 6 to march to Tempe city hall and call for assistance.
It's the latest effort by Davis to get state assistance for what he says is a crisis of family homelessness in Tempe and throughout the Valley.
He wants Tempe city leaders to amplify his request Governor Katie Hobbs declares a state of emergency over family homelessness, arguing that could free up $200,000 in state dollars to help those 85 families.
He says, "There are 85 families in the City of Tempe who need shelter and can't access it. It is an emergency the city can't handle on its own without state intervention. We are asking Mayor Woods to step up and be at the forefront of that conversation, and simply request that assistance."
City leaders did not take up Davis's request and tell KTAR News 92.3 FM Tempe cannot give funding without a public open bid to AZ Hugs, also saying the city's HOPE outreach team met with some of the 85 families at city hall to offer services and potential shelter.
Davis says that response does not touch on his actual request for the city to make an emergency declaration request to the state and the HOPE team can't deliver the level of resources currently need for the 85 families.
Governor Hobbs has also previously indicated while she understands unhoused families are struggling, she would not support the emergency declaration because it would not be an appropriate response.
Now those 85 families are still waiting for help, like mother Amanda Hernton and her five-year-old son who hope community aid comes through each night as Hernton seeks work.
