Ansari Celebrates $830,000 in Community Project Funding for Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS)

PHOENIX - Today, Representative Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03) celebrated securing $830,000 in Community Project Funding (CPF) for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) for the Central Arizona Shelter Services' (CASS) Single Adult Center in downtown Phoenix.

"I'm extremely proud to have secured crucial resources to support the renovation of CASS' Single Adult Shelter facility, allowing for reconstruction and rehabilitation that will strengthen emergency shelter services for residents facing homelessness across the Valley," said Rep. Ansari. "CASS has been an incredible partner, doing lifesaving work every day, especially as our state faces deadly extreme heat. Access to a safe, cool shelter will make the difference between life and death."

"At CASS we believe everyone deserves to have a dignifying place to rest their head. The funds we've received through Congresswoman Ansari's office will be used to beautify our 600-bed shelter and make functional improvements to the bathrooms and security area. We are building an inspiring environment that lifts people to be the best version of themselves. This is a big part of our process to end homelessness. We're incredibly grateful to the Congresswoman for her investment in CASS and the people we serve. This is how community comes together to solve problems," said Nathan Smith, CEO of Central Arizona Shelter Services.

"Coming from Florida to Arizona, just getting out of prison, I had no birth certificate, no ID, no job, and no place to live. I stumbled into CASS and left upright on two feet thanks to the assistants' programs at CASS. The ID, and birth certificate program enabled me to begin filling out applications for my job search. CASS stayed with me and guided me every step. Don't get me wrong, it was not easy starting from nothing. But CASS provided the essential help I needed," said Marcus J. Ross, former client of CASS.

Across its three shelters, CASS provided safe shelter and supportive services to 4,585 individuals experiencing homelessness last year. In Maricopa County, there are approximately 3,642 emergency shelter beds. CASS operates 850 of those beds, representing nearly one quarter of the county's total emergency shelter capacity. Through the 600-bed Single Adult Shelter, CASS plays a key role in the regional homelessness response system, serving individuals from throughout the metropolitan area.

Ansari worked to secure the funding through her Community Project Funding (CPF) requests for Arizona's Third Congressional District. In total, Ansari secured more than $17.7 million in CPF requests that have been signed into law by the president.

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