Senator toured UMOM New Day Centers – which has provided shelter, housing, and services for Arizonans experiencing homelessness for nearly 60 years
PHOENIX — Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema toured UMOM New Day Centers – an innovative provider of shelter, housing, and critical services for Arizonans experiencing homelessness – and hosted a roundtable discussion with nonprofit leaders, stakeholders, and housing experts to discuss step-by-step solutions to ending the homelessness crisis in Arizona.
“My family experienced homelessness growing up, so I take seriously my responsibility to advocate on behalf of the thousands of Arizonans who face housing insecurity day in and day out. I’m grateful for the incredible work of UMOM and all who joined our tour and discussion today as we continue bringing Arizonans together to identify solutions and create a plan of action,” said Sinema.
According to a December report from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, homelessness in Arizona rose by a staggering 23% from 2020 to 2022. At the same time, the median price of homes in Phoenix rose by more than $100,000 between January 2021 and July 2022 – illustrating the severity of the homelessness crisis and affordable housing shortage.
The roundtable discussion included representatives from the Arizona Department of Housing, UMOM, Human Services Campus, Goodwill, Central Arizona Shelter Services, the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Habitat for Humanity, the Mesa Police Department, the Boys and Girls Club, Brighter Way, Circle The City, One n Ten, Valleywise, and the Arizona Food Bank Network.
Participants spoke about the homelessness and housing insecurity challenges facing Arizona communities and how, through collaborative efforts like Sinema’s roundtable, all stakeholders can come together to find common ground and identify realistic, lasting solutions to these challenges.
In her childhood, Sinema’s family struggled with housing insecurity and experienced homelessness. Last month, the Senator secured the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) vouchers needed to provide permanent housing to Arizona veterans experiencing homelessness.
UMOM is the largest shelter services provider in Maricopa County, offering health care services, job training, one-on-one case management, and more to help support Arizona families experiencing homelessness. Every night, they provide safe shelter and supportive services for hundreds of families and single women.