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The most recently published Maricopa County Point-in-Time Homeless Count indicated that 7,419 people experienced homelessness in the county on ONE night - a 12% increase in homelessness from the prior year, and an 18% increase in the number of unsheltered individuals living on the streets. From 2017, unsheltered homelessness across the county increased by 83%, but most notably in the West Valley by 219%, indicating a growing trend for this region. Children (age 0-17) accounted for 17% of the homeless count, although the true number of families experiencing homelessness is hard to identify due to tendencies to stay in vehicles or other hidden locations.
Despite population growth as high as 60% in the West Valley in recent years, as well as a significantly higher percentage increase in homelessness, the region does not have any shelter facilities dedicated to serving the homeless. There is also a tremendous need for additional support to help families and individuals impacted by the pandemic, including assistance with accessing employment opportunities, public assistance, physical and mental healthcare, basic needs, transportation, affordable housing, resources for children's education, and more. Without support to help navigate these challenges, many more households currently living on the edge may become homeless soon.
A New Leaf is collaborating with the City of Surprise, other West Valley cities, the state, and county to expand services in the West Valley of Maricopa County for responding to the increase in homelessness and housing instability due to the impacts of COVID, as well as the pre-pandemic need for the growing population and lack of services in this region.
A New Leaf's West Valley Housing Assistance Center will provide emergency shelter for families who are homeless and housing assistance services for all community members. The Housing Assistance Center began providing services to community members in January 2022. Construction and program development is currently underway for the emergency family shelter, which is scheduled to open in late 2022. A New Leaf is seeking funding to supplement government resources for program development and to furnish and equip the facility, located in Surprise at 12763 West Grand Avenue.
Seven housing units will provide emergency shelter for families with minor age children who are experiencing homelessness. Individual units will allow male adults to be sheltered with their families, thereby preserving the family unit to avoid further trauma and hardship. The maximum length of stay is 120 days; however, the goal will be to move people through faster (60-75 days) by connecting them to onsite services through the Housing Assistance Center to serve as many people as possible. A New Leaf anticipates providing safe shelter, basic needs, and support services for approximately 150 adults and children annually.
This is a collaborative project that will help meet the growing needs associated with homelessness amongst families in the Surprise/West Valley area. The Rotary Club of Surprise Sunset will partner with A New Leaf's West Valley Housing Assistance Center, other organizations, and individuals to see the development of a new emergency family shelter. Not only will this project increase the capacity to provide homeless housing in the area, but it will also serve as an additional location for the Rotary Club of Surprise Sunset and other monthly organizational volunteer programs to transpire.
We anticipate the purchase of targeted furnishings for the seven units to begin as early as mid-July 2022, with availability of unit occupancy as early as late 2022. Short term, club members will participate in fundraising efforts associated with the Club's portion of the District Grant, along with involvement opportunities that might be available with the assisting of furnishing the seven sponsored housing units. Long term, the occupation of these seven units will open opportunities for continued future support through volunteer activities directly associated with A New Leaf's West Valley Housing Assistance Center, its clients, and other resource agencies associated with the center.
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