Despite a downpour and muddy conditions, Phoenix's streets and the surrounding Maricopa County became the focus of a mass effort to catalog the homeless population. In a project known as the "Point-in-Time" count, city officials and a contingent of volunteers trudged through less-than-ideal weather early Tuesday morning in an attempt to gain a clearer picture of homelessness in the region, as documented in a statement obtained by Phoenix New Times.
The count, a critical component for securing federal assistance, was especially noteworthy as this marked the first census following the dismantling of the Zone, one of US's largest homeless encampments. As per a December 12 press release from Phoenix's Office of Homeless Solutions, the operation saw 718 individuals removed, with 590 accepting shelter options offered by the city, even though nearly a third departed without permanent housing solutions.
Brian Gruters, regional homelessness program manager for the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG), spearheaded a team that encountered approximately 50 unsheltered individuals just north of the former location of the Zone. According to Phoenix New Times, despite the difficult conditions, half were willing to engage, providing valuable insights into the obstacles faced by those without homes.
Engaging in this year’s count, volunteers like Charles Lee and Jeremy Huntoon from the Phoenix Office of Homeless Solutions and CBI’s Anne-Marie Johnston reached out to the city’s homeless to collect basic demographic data. In statement reported by KTAR, Johnston underscored the importance of the count not only for data gathering but also for establishing personal connections that could facilitate access to shelter or housing.
Last year’s census recorded 9,642 people experiencing homelessness in Maricopa County, detailing the split between sheltered and unsheltered individuals and noting a rise from the previous year, according to KTAR. City leaders and organizations are now awaiting the results of this latest effort to guide their strategy in addressing this persistent crisis, data from the count is expected to be released in April.
