Homelessness can feel overwhelming and too complicated to solve. In Maricopa County, this issue affects nearly every area. Conversations about homelessness are often polarized, especially during election years. For some people, homelessness is inevitable, for others it is a personal choice, and for some it is a necessary situation.
But this November, National Homeless Awareness Month, it’s time to change that narrative. Homelessness is solvable. In fact, change is already happening in the Valley, proof that homelessness is not an unsolvable problem and that we can overcome it.
Federal funding during the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated what those of us in the homeless services sector have always known. With the right strategies and sufficient funding, we can tackle the root causes of homelessness and create pathways to stable housing. The influx of resources will allow service providers to expand housing programs, offer rent relief, and provide essential support services, ensuring that homelessness is no longer an unsolvable problem and requires investment and concerted efforts. proved necessary.
One of the major issues that causes homelessness is the lack of affordable housing for low-income people. Rising material costs, labor shortages and high interest rates are making it increasingly difficult to build new, affordable homes. These factors make it difficult to build affordable housing without public assistance. Complex zoning rules and local resistance also slow efforts to help people find housing.
Other causes of homelessness include lack of access to critical services such as health care and employment assistance. Many are facing job losses, medical costs, and social isolation, which is made even more difficult when times are tough.
The current system for addressing homelessness includes coordinated efforts such as outreach, temporary shelter, and rental assistance to get people off the streets and back into homes. Although these services are important, they still face challenges. One of the big challenges is finding rental properties in a tight market. Even with rental assistance, many individuals and families search for housing for months without success.
A 2021 survey by HOM, Inc. and UMOM New Day Centers found that many property owners in Maricopa County are hesitant to rent to people experiencing homelessness. Of the 103 property owners surveyed, many felt they were not committed to finding solutions to homelessness. However, 79% said they would take advantage of a rent assistance program if a risk mitigation fund was available to cover damages, unpaid rent, or loss of income. Many also suggested financial incentives to overcome rent subsidy limitations.
In 2022, HOM, Inc. launched Threshold with funding from the American Rescue Plans Act (ARPA) to fill this gap. By leveraging HOM, Inc.’s housing expertise and feedback from strategic partners such as the Arizona City Multifamily Housing Association, Threshold aims to connect people experiencing homelessness and those willing to accept housing assistance programs. It was designed as Arizona’s first centralized program to connect property owners. The program provides financial incentives, financial loss compensation, property management support, and a single point of contact in case of problems.
Since its inception, Threshold has changed the way those eligible for housing assistance programs find and secure housing in Maricopa County. In 2021, the number of units increased from 92 units in five cities to 1,648 units in 26 cities today. This expansion will provide new housing options near jobs, schools, and medical facilities to help families and individuals rebuild their lives.
Threshold’s success is about more than numbers. The rental assistance program’s lease-up rate was 84.3%, a 30% improvement over previous efforts. It also took 27 days less for program participants to find housing compared to 2021. That’s 27 fewer days for families to spend in shelters or on the streets. More and more people are seizing the opportunity for a new start.
Maricopa County has a clear answer to homelessness. This framework is already in place, with strong partnerships and a track record to back it up. Now is the time to focus on what works. But it doesn’t just meet immediate needs. It’s about building long-term solutions to strengthen communities. Every dollar spent on housing helps reduce costs for emergency response, temporary shelter, health care, and other critical services.
We need to invest in solutions to meet growing support needs, along with adequate funding to prevent homelessness. With the systems in place now, we are poised to use our funds more effectively and increase our impact. What seemed impossible two years ago is now possible if you have the necessary resources.
Together we can reduce homelessness one family at a time, but it will take collective will to make this happen. The question is not whether a solution exists. It’s whether we support them or not. This month, let’s come together to drive effective action. The future of housing stability in Maricopa County depends on it.
