City workers are constructing a campground with 200 spaces, showers, bathrooms, and shade.
Phoenix is shutting down a homeless encampment known as 'The Zone' following a court order.
The city is opening a structured campground for the homeless and is working to determine how many of the 467 people who accepted shelter have transitioned to permanent housing.
Phoenix, a city grappling with homelessness, is in the process of shutting down a homeless encampment known as 'The Zone'. This move follows a court order and is accompanied by the city's efforts to open a structured campground for the homeless.
The clearing process, which began six months ago, has seen officials interact with 581 people, 467 of whom accepted shelter. The city is now working to determine how many of these individuals have transitioned to permanent housing.
The court ruling also mandated the city to maintain public property in 'The Zone' free of tents, biohazardous materials, and public order offenses. As part of the cleanup efforts, city workers are now trying to find shelter for another 70 people and are constructing a campground with 200 spaces, showers, bathrooms, and shade.
The number of people in 'The Zone' has decreased from nearly a thousand in the summer to just over 200. The city plans to continue working with the homeless population to understand their specific needs and provide resources.
Despite these efforts, Rachel Milne, director of Phoenix's Office of Homeless Solutions, emphasizes that the city's struggle with homelessness will need continued attention.