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Family Promise among resources feeling Scottsdale’s homeless crisis

Posted 4/26/22

Homelessness in Scottsdale has been consistently increasing since 2014 to a total of 114 people, according to Scottsdale city officials.

Sue Oh, the homeless outreach coordinator for the City of …

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Community

Family Promise among resources feeling Scottsdale’s homeless crisis

Posted

Homelessness in Scottsdale has been consistently increasing since 2014 to a total of 114 people, according to Scottsdale city officials.

Sue Oh, the homeless outreach coordinator for the City of Scottsdale, said that she thinks the homeless population is increasing due to more people moving to Scottsdale and Arizona in general.

“I think that [it’s] really the influx of people coming to Arizona. There has been a huge growth not only in Scottsdale but in Arizona itself. With the influx of people, I really don’t think housing has kept up with that and the population growth has brought a significant amount of people in Arizona,” Oh said.

Scottsdale recorded a population growth of 23,976 people from April 2010 to April 2020, according to the United States Census Bureau. Arizona has also recorded a growth of 884,299 people from April 2010 to July 2021.

Family Promise of Greater Phoenix is a homeless shelter that rescues families from homelessness in the Valley. Don Kitch, site director of Family Promise, said that his facility has served nearly 90 families over the last year.

“Last year alone my facility, which is located in south Scottsdale, served 87 families through our facility. At this location we’re serving anywhere from 80 to 110 yearly,” Kitch said.

Scottsdale officials say that they see the elderly population as becoming more likely to be on the streets.

“Scottsdale itself has a lot of seniors but not only that, when landlords and apartment complexes are not renewing the leases for seniors and they’re on a fixed income, it’s really hard for them to move somewhere that is affordable. Unfortunately we are seeing the age of the homeless population increasing. That is new to us,” Oh said.

An average apartment in Scottsdale’s rent is $2,138, according to the website Rent Cafe, which focuses on renting opportunities.

A two bedroom, 1,055-square-foot apartment in the McCormick Ranch area of Scottsdale increased 58.3% from 2015 to 2022, according to Zillow. The current listing price is $1,900.

Kitsch said a significant factor impacting the increasing homeless population is the rising housing prices in Scottsdale.

“We are experiencing an incredibly high level of housing instability in those that are diving into homelessness being slightly driven by the increasing rent prices,” Kitch said.

Scottsdale’s per capita income from 2016 to 2020 was $64,992, according to the US Census Bureau. Nevertheless, 6.8% of Scottsdale residents were living in poverty from 2016 to 2020.

“One of the things that is really striking in our area, the cost of living right now for the average Phoenician is so high and especially in this Scottsdale/Tempe area where we are located. It is not probable for working families that are making $15 to $16 dollars an hour to afford quality housing,” Kitch said.

Scottsdale officials say they only recently became involved in the problem of a significant homeless population within the city.

“If you asked us two years ago I probably wouldn’t have anything to tell you to say that we’re combating homelessness,” Oh said.

Scottsdale officials said there are many different resources available for those experiencing homelessness in Scottsdale. However, Kitch’s Family Promise site has reported significantly greater need for homeless services.

“This year we are experiencing the highest level of demand that we’ve had in a very long time. The phone really never stops ringing for those who are calling and needing assistance,” Kitch said.

Editor’s Note: Cassidy Connelly is a student reporter at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications.