USICH Director Jeff Olivet traveled to Maricopa County, Arizona this week to attend the annual Point-in-Time Count and meet with the state’s most elected leaders.

While in Arizona, Director Olivet, Senior Regional Advisor Helen Schneider (former mayor), and Tamara Wright met with a number of state and local leaders. Governor Katie Hobbs, Mesa Mayor John Giles, Nogales Mayor Jorge Maldonado, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, Tucson Mayor Regina RomeroThis group explores state and local challenges and solutions to homelessness, and while the federal government is pushing more people off the streets, out of shelters and into housing in Arizona, what others are doing in the first place. We discussed ways to prevent experiencing homelessness.

USICH collects data on people experiencing homelessness in Maricopa County by visiting shelters, camps and other locations as part of its annual Point-in-Time Count, which provides a one-night snapshot of America’s homelessness and conducted outreach. According to the 2022 count, this For the first time, the impact of the pandemic on homelessness has been examined in detail—At least 13,553 people have experienced homelessness in Arizona.that is 23% increase in state homelessness since 2020, third highest increase in the nationHomelessness is rising at a similar rate in Maricopa County.

Nationally, however, homelessness remained relatively flat from January 2020 to January 2022, increasing by less than 1%.

“After years of homelessness spikes since 2016, We as a country are starting to flatten the curve, thanks to an unprecedented two-year federal investment from the American Rescue Plan. But we are not satisfied. “We want to reduce and ultimately end homelessness. every day community, and and all inThe Biden-Harris Administration Has Plans To Accelerate Progress we started to see “

Launched USICH All In: Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness In December, we set a national target. Reduce homelessness by 25% by 2025President Biden encourages state and local governments to use all in USICH serves as a blueprint for setting its own ambitious goals for 2025. all in.

all in is based on what USICH has seen and heard from thousands of people. 600+ communities all over the country. USICH visited the Wildcat Inn while in Arizona. Abandoned hotel converted into permanent housing For those who have experienced homelessness. This hotel-to-housing strategy emerges during the pandemic as a way to provide homeless people with a place to socially distance and protect themselves from COVID-19, expanding shelter supplies It is still used as a method. and housing.of american rescue planis one of the largest investments in history to end homelessness and includes billions of dollars from hotels to housing.

“This proves it,” said Director Olivet. Find creative solutions to progress even in the most difficult situations Towards our goal of building a future where no one experiences the tragedy and humiliation of homelessness—Everyone has a safe, stable, accessible and affordable home. “

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