Homelessness at center of hourslong city council meetings in Phoenix and Tempe

The most recent Tempe and Phoenix council meetings took more than 12 hours combined.

Homeless advocates aired their fury in one city while leaders in the other added oversight to a contract with a nonprofit offering services to unhoused people.

Dozens of people were at Tempe City Hall to share their concern over a now unanimously approved ordinance expanding permit requirements for park events. Many accused Tempe leaders of trying to stop homeless aid groups from using public space.

Paul Sacco spoke during public comments that took hours at the meeting.

“We need to talk. We need to compromise. And we need to cooperate. And jamming down this amendment that is obviously aimed at this group is poison,” Sacco told the council.

In Phoenix, the council added oversight to its contract with Keys to Change — the umbrella name for homeless aid groups which the city gives about $6 million a year.

But Vice Mayor Ann O’Brien said a security guard company wasn’t paid.

“The Keys staff was behind on sending bills, resulting in duplicated costs. And in one instance, the city being billed after a contract had already closed out,” O’Brien said.

Keys to Change is near an area called The Zone, once home to an infamous homeless encampment.

The Phoenix Office of Homeless Solutions will handle much of the additional oversight of Keys to Change with help from the council.