Homelessness can feel overwhelming and too complicated to solve. In Maricopa County, it’s a topic that touches nearly every neighborhood. The conversation around homelessness – especially during an election year – is often polarized. Some say homelessness is unavoidable, others see it as a personal choice, and a few even see it as a necessary situation for some people.
But this November, during National Homelessness Awareness Month, it’s time to change that narrative. Homelessness is solvable. In fact, change is already happening in the Valley—proof that homelessness isn’t an unsolvable problem but a challenge we have the power to overcome.
Federal funding during the COVID-19 pandemic showed what those of us in the homeless services sector have always known: With the right strategies and sufficient funding, we can tackle the root causes of homelessness and create pathways to stable housing. The influx of resources allowed service providers to expand housing programs, offer rent relief, and provide essential support services, proving that homelessness is not an unsolvable problem—it requires investment and coordinated effort.
One major issue causing homelessness is the lack of affordable housing for low-income earners. Building new affordable homes is getting harder because of rising material costs, labor shortages, and high interest rates. These factors make it tough to create affordable housing without public help. Complicated zoning rules and community resistance also slow down efforts to help people find homes.
Other causes of homelessness include a lack of access to vital services like healthcare and job support. Many people face job loss, medical bills, and social isolation, which makes it even harder when tough times come.
Our current system for addressing homelessness involves a coordinated effort of outreach, temporary shelters, and rental assistance to get people off the streets and into homes. While these services are crucial, they still face challenges. One major problem is finding rental units in a tight market. Even with rental assistance, many individuals and families search for housing for months with no luck.
A 2021 survey by HOM, Inc. and UMOM New Day Centers found that many property owners in Maricopa County were hesitant to rent to people experiencing homelessness. Out of 103 property owners surveyed, many felt they hadn't been engaged in finding solutions for homelessness. However, 79% said they would work with rental assistance programs if a risk mitigation fund was available to cover damages, unpaid rent, or lost income. Many also suggested financial incentives to help overcome rental assistance limits.
In 2022, HOM, Inc. launched Threshold with funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to fill this gap. By leveraging HOM, Inc.’s housing expertise and the feedback of strategic partners such as the Arizona Multihousing Association, Threshold was designed as Arizona's first centralized program to connect people experiencing homelessness with property owners willing to accept housing assistance programs. The program provides financial incentives, reimbursement for financial losses, property management support, and a single contact for any issues that come up.
Since its start, Threshold has changed how people in housing assistance programs find and secure housing in Maricopa County. It has grown from 92 units in five cities in 2021 to 1,648 units in 26 cities today. This expansion has opened new housing options near jobs, schools, and healthcare, helping families and individuals rebuild their lives.
Threshold's success isn't just about numbers. Rental assistance programs now have an 84.3% lease-up rate, a 30% improvement over previous efforts. It also takes 27 days less for a program participant to find a home compared to 2021. That's 27 fewer days families spend in shelters or living on the streets. More people are getting the chance for a fresh start.
Maricopa County has a clear answer to homelessness. The framework is already in place, with strong partnerships and results to back it up. Now is the time to focus on what works. But it's not just about meeting immediate needs; it's about building long-term solutions to make our community stronger. Every dollar spent on housing helps reduce costs for emergency response, temporary shelters, healthcare, and other essential services.
Along with adequate funding to prevent homelessness, we must invest in solutions to meet the growing need for assistance. The systems currently in place have prepared us to use funding more effectively and increase our impact. What seemed impossible two years ago is now achievable if we can secure the necessary resources.
Together, we can reduce homelessness one household at a time, but we need the collective will to make it happen. The question isn't whether solutions exist; it's whether we will support them. Let’s use this month to rally behind what works. The future of housing stability in Maricopa County depends on it.
Brian Petersen is president and chief operating officer of HOM, Inc., a strategic voice in statewide homeless services industry and founder of Threshold, Arizona's first centralized landlord liaison service, connecting people experiencing homelessness with property owners willing to accept housing assistance programs. For more information, visit thresholdaz.com.
