Tucson’s New Initiative to Address Homelessness Through Temporary Outdoor Shelters
In an effort to address homelessness within the community, Tucson is set to launch an innovative pilot program later this year. This initiative will offer temporary sleeping accommodations for individuals who are currently experiencing homelessness.
Funded by a combination of city resources and contributions from local nonprofits such as the Primavera Foundation and Old Pueblo Community Services, the program will establish an outdoor sleeping facility located in midtown Tucson. This site will serve as a place where individuals can safely spend the night.
City Councilmember Lane Santa Cruz has announced that the facility is scheduled to open in October, with the capacity to accommodate between 25 to 30 people at any given time. “We’re hoping to fill a gap in our shelter continuum, getting people off the streets and into transitional housing, and more permanent housing will take some time,” Santa Cruz explained. “But the hope is that if we’re able to be successful, that we could have more of these outdoor safe zones throughout the community.”
Unlike many traditional shelters, this project will offer a short-term, low-barrier refuge. It is designed to be inclusive, welcoming individuals who may have pets, partners, or are dealing with addiction—factors that often preclude them from accessing other shelter options.
This year-long project is a component of Tucson’s broader housing first initiative, which prioritizes securing stable housing for the homeless before connecting them to additional support services.
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