Dear Mayor and Council,
I am writing in support of the request made by the Human Services Campus, Saint Vincent de Paul, and Andre House to modify the existing Special Use Permit to provide up to 1,000 shelter beds for people experiencing homelessness. There are so many vulnerable people who need a safe place to sleep. Our community needs more shelter beds.
Currently, with approval for only 425 beds, individuals experiencing homelessness seeking shelter for the night are needlessly turned away because all beds are filled. These individuals are forced to return to the streets to seek shelter wherever possible. This situation should not occur. Anyone requesting a temporary safe place to sleep should be able to receive one. As a resident, I have also noticed more people than ever in encampments throughout the city. An increase in shelter beds will not just help the people on the streets, it will help neighborhoods struggling with the challenges associated with unsheltered homelessness.
I respectfully urge the City of Phoenix to approve the request made by the Human Services Campus to expand the maximum number of beds from 425 to 1,000. I am in full support of the service providers working to help people experiencing homelessness in Phoenix. Please feel free to contact me with any further questions or comments.