Addressing Homelessness in Phoenix and Across the US
Learn about homelessness statistics in Phoenix, AZ, and the US, along with proposed local, state, and national solutions for housing and social change.
From the Streets to Solutions: Addressing Homelessness Locally, Statewide & Nationwide
A Call to Action for Phoenix, Arizona and Beyond
CTE Class Presentation
March 2026
Local Issue
Homelessness in Phoenix, AZ
9,734
individuals experiencing homelessness in Maricopa County (2025)
5,207
unsheltered — a 28% increase from 2024
3,761
unsheltered individuals in Phoenix alone
Record
highest count since national data collection began in 2007
Rising rental costs, lack of shelter beds, high eviction rates, and limited mental health services have pushed thousands of Phoenix residents onto the streets. Our community is facing a crisis that demands immediate attention.
Ideas for Local Change in Phoenix
Expand emergency shelter capacity — advocate for more city-funded beds
Support local nonprofits like Human Services Campus & Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS)
Volunteer drives: donate food, water, hygiene kits to unhoused neighbors
Push Phoenix City Council for affordable housing development
Mental health & addiction outreach programs in high-need neighborhoods
Community clean-up and dignity programs that engage unhoused residents
Statewide Issue:
Homelessness Across Arizona
Arizona's homelessness crisis extends far beyond Phoenix. Across Maricopa and Pima counties — the state's most populated areas — thousands sleep without shelter each night. Statewide affordable housing shortages, extreme heat, and insufficient state funding make Arizona one of the most dangerous states to be unhoused.
Maricopa County
9,435
total experiencing homelessness (2025)
Pima County (Tucson)
2,218
homeless — a 5.5% increase from 2024
Over 51%
are unsheltered statewide
Arizona ranks among states with
fastest-growing homeless populations
Ideas for Statewide Change in Arizona
Increase Arizona state budget allocation for affordable housing & shelter
Pass statewide tenant protection and anti-eviction legislation
Expand behavioral health infrastructure — fund mental health & addiction services statewide
Establish a statewide Homeless Action Plan with measurable goals
Partner with universities like ASU & U of A to research & pilot Housing First programs
Create extreme heat emergency protocols — cooling centers and water access across all AZ counties
Nationwide Issue: Homelessness in the United States
The United States is facing a homelessness emergency. Rising housing costs, stagnant wages, and a fraying social safety net have pushed homelessness to record highs. Families, veterans, youth, and seniors are all affected.
771,480
people experienced homelessness in the U.S. — January 2024
+18%
increase from 2023 — the highest number ever recorded
~150,000
children experienced homelessness — a 33% increase
187,000
homeless in California alone — nearly 1 in 4 of all U.S. homeless
23
in every 10,000 Americans are affected — but the trend is accelerating
Source: (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2024)
Ideas for Nationwide Change
Increase federal HUD funding for Housing First programs nationwide
Pass federal legislation capping rent increases — national rent stabilization
Expand the national Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)
Increase funding for veterans' homeless programs — VA supportive housing vouchers
National mental health & substance abuse treatment reform
Create federal incentives for states that reduce homelessness rates by measurable goals
(Sleet & Francescutti, 2021)
Issue for My Future Career: Bias Against Homeless Entrepreneurs & Customers
As a Future Business Owner — Insights from Fanocracy
Businesses often exclude homeless individuals as customers, employees, or stakeholders
Marketing and 'fan-building' typically targets affluent demographics — ignoring those in poverty
Social enterprises can flip this bias — turning community need into business purpose
Fanocracy teaches us: real human connection builds loyalty — this applies to ALL people, regardless of housing status (Scott & Scott, 2020)
Scott, D. M., & Scott, R. (2020). Fanocracy: Turning fans into customers and customers into fans. Portfolio/Penguin.
Ideas for Change in Business & Entrepreneurship
Build a business that intentionally hires formerly homeless individuals
Offer products/services at sliding-scale or community pricing — make business accessible to all income levels
Create a 'give-back' model: for every sale, donate to local homeless services
Use Fanocracy principles — build genuine community connections, not just profit-driven marketing
Partner with nonprofits and shelters to co-create solutions, not just donate money
Design marketing and branding that humanizes people experiencing homelessness
(Scott & Scott, 2020)
Realistic Changes I Plan to Make
Volunteer monthly at a local Phoenix shelter or food bank
Donate hygiene kits or supplies to unhoused individuals in my community
When I start my business, commit to hiring at least one formerly homeless employee
Educate my peers and family about the real causes of homelessness — fight stigma
Advocate on social media to raise awareness about Phoenix homelessness
Support local nonprofits and attend city council meetings on housing policy
“Change begins with one person deciding to act.”
Call to Action for Our Community
Phoenix: Act Locally
Volunteer at CASS or Human Services Campus this weekend.
Donate water, food, or hygiene items.
Contact your Phoenix City Council rep and demand more shelter beds.
America: Demand Change
Call your U.S. Representative and demand more HUD funding.
Share homelessness awareness on social media.
Support Housing First legislation.
Don't look away. Look closer — and act.
(Mosites et al., 2022; Sleet & Francescutti, 2021)
References
Mosites, E., Caruso, B., Prater, A., Miller, L., & Wiesner, M. (2022). Public health framework for homelessness. <i>The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 226</i>(Suppl 3), S372–S374. https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiac353
Scott, D. M., & Scott, R. (2020). <i>Fanocracy: Turning fans into customers and customers into fans</i>. Portfolio/Penguin.
Sleet, D. A., & Francescutti, L. H. (2021). Strategies and solutions for homelessness and public health. <i>International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18</i>(21), 11660. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182111660
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. (2024). <i>The 2024 annual homelessness assessment report (AHAR) to Congress</i>. HUD Exchange. https://www.hudexchange.info/homelessness-assistance/ahar/
- homelessness
- phoenix
- arizona
- social-issues
- housing-policy
- affordable-housing
- non-profit
- public-health