As rising rents and the economic fallout from COVID-19 leave many Phoenix residents teetering on the edge of homelessness, the city is stepping up to make sure that nearly 200 veterans aren’t among them.

U.S. Vets, the nation’s largest housing provider for homeless and at-risk veterans, learned in May that the landlord of the property they lease on Grand Avenue and Indian School Road planned to more than double the organization’s rent beginning in January.

“In Maricopa County the fair market (rental) rates are rising and we were pretty much a victim, similar to other communities,” U.S. Vets Phoenix Executive Director Michelle Jameson said.

The Grand Avenue facility houses about 170 veterans through its emergency shelter, transitional housing and affordable housing programs. Jameson said her organization could not afford the new rental price and had to figure out how to quickly find a new place.

After approaching the city for assistance, the Phoenix City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to give U.S. Vets $10.5 million to purchase its own facility to house veterans. 

The money comes from the $293 million in coronavirus relief the city got from the federal government’s CARES Act. The approval Tuesday came as part of a larger vote to redesignate much of the CARES Act funding.

“Through the get-go, the city of Phoenix has been so supportive,” Jameson said. “From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for doing what you have done.”

New location means more help

Jameson said the unexpected move has turned into an “amazing opportunity” to assist more veterans. 

The new site the organization is looking to purchase will be larger and allow it to offer 50-70 units of affordable housing in addition to its existing homeless programs. 

U.S. Vets is still finalizing the purchase agreement, but Jameson said the facility will be in Phoenix but outside the downtown core. She hopes to have the new facility open and running by January or February.

She said she’s thankful that Phoenix provided funds to allow U.S. Vets to purchase its own property so it won’t be subject to rent increases ever again.

“We’re so excited to have a home for good,” Jameson said. 

Council pushes for more government help

The full Phoenix City Council emphatically supported providing funds to U.S. Vets — but some members took the opportunity to call out other levels of government for their lack of action on homelessness and affordable housing. 

Phoenix elected officials have long argued that surrounding cities, Maricopa County and state government rely on Phoenix to provide the bulk of financial aid for homelessness services. 

“I’m proud of our city for stepping up when other governments have not,” Mayor Kate Gallego said in a statement. “There is no doubt this is a regional issue. I hope leadership on this issue will encourage other levels of government to join us as partners in tackling this persistent and difficult challenge.” 

During Tuesday’s meeting, she said she had reached out to the Governor’s Office about the situation.

Jeanine L’Ecuyer, a spokesperson for the mayor, said the Governor’s Office did indicate it may be willing to assist with U.S. Vets and suggested the city to also contact Maricopa County to see if all three levels of government could split the cost. 

 L’Ecuyer said those conversations became time-consuming, which is why the city decided to put up an initial $10.5 million to get the ball rolling. The city is still hopeful the state and county will contribute to U.S. Vets’ relocation in the future, she said. 

“We cannot wait for them,” Gallego said. “We have to show leadership. We have to make sure we are investing in solutions for our entire community. We want our veterans to have a safe place to live.”

Patrick Ptak, a spokesperson for Gov. Doug Ducey, confirmed city officials talked with the state officials Sep. 30 and that the state encouraged the city to reach out to the county. Ptak said the Governor’s Office learned Phoenix decided to move forward alone after the vote Tuesday. 

“We are happy to continue partnering with our local partners to do more,” Ptak said. 

Maricopa County spokesperson Jason Berry said the county was not approached directly by U.S. Vets “but was contacted by multiple city officials who moved forward without including Maricopa County after the county offered to participate in meetings to discuss the issue.”

“Maricopa County is always interested in finding ways to support veterans and continues to use CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Funds to appropriately support local nonprofits, small businesses and community rental assistance needs,” he said. 

Jameson said there’s plenty more opportunity for other levels of government and members of the larger community to help because there will be substantial costs associated with moving the large housing program to a new location.

“I know we have amazing support, and I know there’s a lot more to do. Whoever wants to help us, we are game. We will not turn anyone away,” she said. 

Reach the reporter at [email protected] or 480-694-1823. Follow her on Twitter @jboehm_NEWS. 

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