Tempe spotlights unhoused resident helped by city's programs, services

The city of Tempe recently shared the story of one of its unhoused residents who has been served by the city’s programs, highlighting the progress of Tempe’s efforts to combat homelessness in the city.

It’s 9 a.m. on Saturday and another typical day comes to life outside Tempe's shelter for people who are homeless, a city release stated. A train speeds past, a couple walks down the sidewalk and a car makes its way along a side street.

Inside room #117, a new life is taking shape. Keith Holmes is packed up and ready to move into his new home. He has a bike, three overstuffed bags, a few odds and ends – and a path forward, the release detailed.

The shelter offered a safe haven where Holmes could make plans for the future, the city’s Tempe Works program connected him to a job and steady paycheck and city staff assisted him with his housing voucher to offset rent. All of these city supports helped Holmes move from homeless to housed.

Holmes is one of about 1,675 people the city of Tempe has assisted with a housing resolution in the past two years, according to the release.

The city spent $72 million last year on programs to assist unsheltered individuals and families, affordable housing options to help keep people housed and other strategies.

A journey of just a few blocks changes Holmes’s world. He slips his keys into the lock of his apartment and takes in his new home: a tidy one-bedroom, one-bath with a good-sized kitchen and back patio, the release explained.

Sue's Espacio shelter site lead Christina Gardea (left) congratulates Holmes (right) on his progress toward employment and housing, saying "This is …

“This is way better than what I had before. It’s hard to believe I’m here,” Holmes said, according to the release.

Tempe's long-held goal is to make homelessness rare, brief and one time. In the city's 2023 Community Survey, residents said addressing homelessness was their top priority.

Through significant investments and innovations, the city is meeting wide-ranging needs and helping more people like Holmes off the streets and into housing, the release stated.

Holmes lost his job as a bus driver and then his apartment, becoming homeless for several weeks. He connected with I-HELP, one of the city's nonprofit shelter partners operated by Tempe Community Action Agency and later transitioned to the city's Sue’s Espacio bridge shelter.

Tempe purchased the shelter, a 40-room motel, in 2021. Investing in a bridge shelter means residents in Tempe can move off the streets and plan for housing more quickly. Building on that success, the city is currently in the process of acquiring another motel that will open as a bridge shelter next year, according to the release.

Tempe Works jobs program

A key step in Holmes's path forward was connecting with Tempe Works, the city's jobs program for unsheltered people. Approved by city council in 2017, the program connects people with city jobs in areas like solid waste, parks and also with private employment partners in Tempe.

Along the way, staff works with participants to locate shelter, housing and other resources that can help end their homelessness, the release explained

Through Tempe Works, Holmes landed a job in the city's solid waste division. He works as a truck driver delivering new trash and recycling cans to residents across the city.

Every day, Holmes hops on the light rail at 5 a.m. and heads to the station closest to work, the release detailed. Then he rides his bike the remaining five miles. At 2 p.m. his shift ends and he does the reverse to get home.

He lost his car when he was on the streets and relies on light rail and his bike to get where he needs to go.

From homeless to housed

Every person experiencing homelessness has a unique story, and Holmes is no different, the release stated.

What is the same is the need for a comprehensive system of support to address all the complexities surrounding an unsheltered person or family, including not only the city of Tempe but nonprofits, faith groups and community organizations.

That system changed Holmes's life. His new home is a mile down the road from the shelter and a world away from homelessness.

The large apartment community features a hotel-like lobby with free coffee, gathering spaces, a pool and other amenities.

Partnerships are key to enhancing Tempe's homeless solutions. A dedicated group of volunteers, called Loaves and Fishes, provides regular hot meals …

A passionate cook, Holmes was happy to see the stainless steel appliances in his new kitchen. He was thrilled to discover the in-unit washer and dryer, describing the half day it usually takes at the laundromat including the trip via light rail and bike, according to the release.

Today, Holmes’s apartment is filled with the smells of his home-cooked soups and meals like roasted chicken and vegetables. And his future is filled with hope and a desire to help others.

"With my experiences with housing and the income from working for Tempe Solid Waste, I've been able to help others on their journey out of homelessness," Holmes stated in the release. "Purchasing bus passes occasionally, assisting with bicycle repairs, information I've gained to help guide others, such as what questions to ask and who to ask. Being able to share experiences and small resources is fulfilling."

Give help

There are many ways that people and organizations can help assist those who are unsheltered by working through existing, safe opportunities. Residents can get involved in the following opportunities:

• Volunteers are needed for the city’s summer Point-in-Time homeless street count July 17, from 6 a.m. to noon. Data collected help guide city decision-making about programs and services. Open to those ages 18 and older. Sign up here .
• Consider volunteering with the city’s HOPE homeless outreach team to help connect those in need to shelter and resources. Get details at tempe.gov/EndingHomelessness.
• The city’s CARE 7 crisis response team relies on volunteers for a range of assistance in serving those in need. Get details at tempe.gov/CARE7.
• Become an employment partner with the city’s Tempe Works program to help unsheltered women and men connect to jobs. This life-changing program is a step toward helping people end their homelessness. Get information at tempe.gov/TempeWorks.
• Tempe Community Action Agency operates the I-Help shelter and a food pantry. Learn how you can donate or volunteer at tempeaction.org.
• Aris Foundation hosts a weekly permitted gathering at Mountain Park Health, which brings together food and resources. Get details at arisfoundation.org.