Phoenix Successfully Clears Massive Downtown Homeless Encampment
The city of Phoenix has accomplished the task of clearing out a large homeless encampment in downtown Phoenix by the court-ordered deadline of Saturday. Over 500 individuals have been assisted in finding beds in shelters and motels, resulting in the disappearance of the once numerous tents that lined the streets. Although a few people can still be seen in the area, pushing shopping carts filled with their belongings, the overall impact has been significant.
Lily Bitsui, a 33-year-old who had been staying in a tent with a friend, expressed her confusion as her friend had relocated to a shelter without her knowledge. She missed the opportunity to receive assistance from city workers in finding a place to stay indoors. Rudy Soliz, the operations director at Justa Center, a facility providing daytime services for older homeless individuals, including meals and housing assistance, praised the cleanup efforts. He noted a decrease in crime in the area and expressed relief that many people have transitioned to shelters.
The process of clearing the encampment began in the spring, with city workers focusing on one block at a time and offering sleeping arrangements indoors. Options included emergency shelters, temporary stays at motels, and transitional housing for older individuals. Once each block was cleared, it underwent cleaning and was closed off to camping.
City officials report that over several months, 718 people were offered shelter assistance, with 585 individuals (approximately 80%) accepting the placement. Additionally, Phoenix has recently opened a city parking lot, specially rezoned to allow homeless individuals to pitch tents under controlled circumstances. The site currently accommodates 21 people and provides portable restrooms and showers, meal service, property storage, security, and a resident code of conduct. Prohibited activities include drug and alcohol use, fires, and camping along the property’s sides.
The successful placement of so many individuals was made possible by the addition of 482 new temporary shelter beds this year, including 362 in October alone. Furthermore, the city’s largest emergency shelter nearby offers 600 beds.
Although city officials initially requested an extension on cleaning up the encampment known as “The Zone,” Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Scott Blaney denied the request in October and reiterated the deadline for completion by Saturday. A hearing is scheduled for November 30 to verify Phoenix’s compliance with the November deadline.
Like other major cities, Phoenix has faced the challenge of balancing the concerns of businesses and homeowners with the rights of homeless individuals. Business owners and residents near the encampment labeled it a public nuisance, citing damage, litter, and crime. However, the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in 2019 that homeless people cannot be criminalized for sleeping outside if there are no alternatives available.
While Phoenix has met the court deadline, the city acknowledges that there is still work to be done. Their ultimate goal is to ensure that every person has access to safe housing and services while maintaining the overall quality of life in the neighborhoods for all residents.
