With Phoenix facing a budget shortfall, one group is making sure they’re voices are heard.
More than 30 people rallied outside Phoenix City Council chambers on Wednesday. They chanted, “Help the elderly, help the disabled,” and, “Help us keep our pets."
Inside chambers, Elizabeth Venerable, co-founder of the Fund for Empowerment, asked council members to preserve funding for shelters and services.
“The investment pays off significantly in terms of cost savings to the city when it comes to lowered utilization of law enforcement, lowered utilization of fire and emergency services,” she said.
City departments are looking for possible cuts, and the council will consider a sales tax increase. Leaders blame the state for cutting local revenue, along with higher costs for goods, services and employees. Plus, federal funding related to COVID-19 is running out.
The city manager will present a trial budget on Feb. 25. The proposed tax increase will be considered by the City Council at a policy meeting on March 18. The next budget begins July 1, 2025.
The city will hold the following community budget information sessions:
- Monday, Jan. 27, 6 p.m.: Maryvale Community Center (Auditorium); 4420 N. 51st Ave.
- Thursday, Jan. 30, 6 p.m.: Goelet A.C. Beuf Community Center (Multipurpose Room); 3435 W. Pinnacle Peak Road
- Monday, Feb. 3, 6 p.m.: South Mountain Community Library; 7050 S. 24th St.
- Tuesday, Feb. 4, 6 p.m.: Burton Barr Central Library (Pulliam Auditorium); 1221 N. Central Ave.
- Thursday, Feb. 6, 6 p.m.: Paradise Valley Community Center (Multipurpose Room); 17402 N. 40th St.
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The Homeless ID Project is bringing its mobile kiosk to Tucson to demonstrate how they’ve provided their clients easier access to IDs around the Valley. -
The bill would provide $300,000 annually to the Arizona Department of Veteran Services to help provide funding for emergency shelters. -
The new plan adopted by Phoenix City Council sets goals to decrease homelessness and further expand shelter and housing availability in the city. -
Homelessness has risen dramatically since the 20-teens when there were around 5,600 people living on the street and in shelters. Today, the count is closer to 10,000. -
HB 2682 would set aside $5 million to create a new rental assistance program in Arizona. Qualifying renters would be able to apply for up to $5,000 to cover up to two months of rent.
