Pathways Home

Pathways Home - A Regional Action Plan for Local & Tribal Governments

The plan, which has a target goal of reducing homelessness by 25 percent by 2027, comes at a critical juncture. Arizona has the fastest growth in homelessness of anywhere in the country, with a nearly 10 percent increase. In just one year, the MAG region has seen a 12 percent increase in homelessness overall and an 18 percent increase among those not in shelter.

Local and tribal governments created this action plan with community partners to build a stronger regional infrastructure to address homelessness. This plan represents a starting point to build a strong foundation for impactful change throughout the region on an ongoing basis. Ongoing evaluations of progress will identify new actions to further reduce homelessness through a concerted regional approach.

Pathways Home (PDF) – A Regional Homelessness Action Plan for Local and Tribal Governments

Progress Report

A snapshot of the progress that has been made following the regional action plan.

Interdepartmental Teams Toolkit

A toolkit for local jurisdictions providing a framework for operating an interdepartmental team across the jurisdiction.

Community Court Toolkit

A toolkit for local jurisdictions providing a framework for creating and operating a Community Court.

Connecting into Maricopa County Regional Homeless Court Toolkit

A toolkit for local jurisdictions providing information on how to refer into the Maricopa County Regional Homeless Court.

 

The Pandemic and Homelessness

Increasing rates of homelessness, decreasing supplies of affordable housing, emerging crises like the pandemic, and persistent challenges such as mental health issues and substance use have all contributed to the urgency felt throughout the region to intensify collective action to address homelessness.

The pandemic has worsen the problems that our communities face, presenting a regional challenge that requires regional strategies and solutions. The federal eviction moratorium, which ended in August 2021, kept thousands of our region’s households from housing instability. According to Arizona State University and the University of Arizona, 20 percent of renters are at risk of homelessness as a result of the moratorium being lifted.

Read the full Pathways Home a Regional Homelessness Action Plan

Working Together - Real Change, Not Spare Change.

This plan represents the first time local and tribal governments of all sizes have come together to address homelessness with a robust, regional approach. Extensive data analysis and community engagement with more than 1,500 people from diverse perspectives resulted in the development of this plan and the three action steps.

  • Commit to work regionally to reduce homelessness.
  • Increase safe housing options.
  • Support diverse partnerships to address homelessness.

 

This is a monumental step for the region in creating lasting change. Homelessness doesn’t start and stop at the boundaries of our respective cities and towns, and I’m proud that we’ve made this commitment to working together on a coordinated regional response. While there is much work still to be done, the Pathways Home plan provides a framework that empowers our local and tribal governments to take the next steps together.

John GilesMesa Mayor, MAG Regional Council Chair

We have taken an important first step today, but there is much more to be done. Our success demands we collectively measure and cooperatively implement improvements, commit to infrastructure investments, and include an array of choices with equitable access. I look forward to working with my regional partners in tackling this crisis.

Kate GallegoPhoenix Mayor, MAG Treasurer