Summer Point-in-Time Count shows number of sheltered people holding steady amid growing region, loss in benefits

Tempe, AZ - Tempe's summer Point-in-Time Homeless Count shows the overall number of unsheltered people essentially unchanged year over year. Stability in these numbers signals important progress as the Greater Phoenix area continues to grow and federal resources continue to shrink.

One measure of that progress is the thousands of people the City of Tempe connected to long-term housing resolutions. The number of people assisted increased from 538 in 2023 to 1,179 in 2025. The total for 2026 to date is 615, putting Tempe on track to double that for the year. That's more than 3,200 people housed in three years.

"Every day, we are making meaningful change in the lives of people experiencing homelessness, whether helping them access shelter and housing or resources like mental health care or jobs through our Tempe Works program," said Tim Burch, Tempe's Community Health and Human Services Director. "We continue working to enhance our services, improve systems and maximize community partnerships. In Tempe, we remain committed to making homelessness rare, brief and one time."

The recent Point-in-Time Homeless Count showed a total of 280 unsheltered people counted in July, compared with 283 during the winter count and 277 during last summer's count.

"Given the region's continuing growth and several adverse circumstances, relatively flat numbers mean we're not losing ground," said Burch, who also serves as co-chair of the Maricopa Regional Continuum of Care Board.

Federal funding through the American Rescue Plan Act, which supported a range of resources for vulnerable populations, has expired. At the same time, more people have lost healthcare coverage and food assistance benefits.

Tempe participates in the regional Point-in-Time Homeless Count each January, organized by the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG). Tempe is the only city in Arizona to hold a summer count, which provides another data point to measure progress. In addition, Tempe uses real-time data available through the regional Homeless Management Information System to assess needs and analyze trends.

Since 2022, Tempe has invested significantly in new tools and enhanced strategies to help people end their homelessness. Key strategies to address homelessness include:

• Daily street outreach by a 13-member team whose members have lived experience of being homeless.
• Sue's Espacio, a city-owned, 40-room shelter where individuals and families can plan for more permanent housing and access resources. A new 60-room shelter will expand capacity. Once open, the Sue's Espacio site will become future affordable housing.
• Tempe Works job program connecting people with employment through jobs with the city and partners.
• 24/7 CARE & HOPE Line at 480-350-8004, which provides a direct way to get resources or let the city know about someone who needs them.

Regionally, there were 9,726 unsheltered people counted in January, a decrease of 12% from the previous year. Importantly, 5,159 people were counted in shelters, representing a 14% increase. When people are in shelter, they have critical access to case management and resources that can help end their homelessness.

Learn more about Tempe Homeless Solutions at tempe.gov/EndingHomelessness.