An Arizona County’s “Housing Hub” Is a Dead End for Many Homeless Families
The post An Arizona County’s “Housing Hub” Is a Dead End for Many Homeless Families appeared first on ProPublica .
An Arizona County's "Housing Hub" has turned into a dead end for homeless families, according to a recent evaluation. In 2023, 94% of people who sought housing assistance through the system didn't receive it. Families interviewed by ProPublica reported that calling the hotline, meeting with outreach workers or visiting shelters didn't lead to offers of help.
Some said they called the 211 referral service multiple times without being connected to the Family Housing Hub, while others couldn't secure a spot on the waitlist for shelter. The system has reverted to its previous state, with families resorting to repeatedly contacting shelters, just as the hub was meant to alleviate. Despite the frustrations, Monique Lopez, CEO of United Methodist Outreach Ministries (UMOM) which runs the Family Housing Hub and the shelter waitlist, claims the organization first tries to help callers find other options before considering shelter or waitlist placement.
However, many families argue that the process in Maricopa County remains confusing and leaves them hopeless. Family homelessness in the county has reached its highest level in over a decade, with every shelter full and scarce housing vouchers.
Written by urgent.news from ProPublica's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
