ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-fifth Legislature

First Regular Session

 

HB 2910: emergency shelter beds; seniors (Substituted for SB 1848)

Sponsor:  Representative Bowers, LD 25

House Engrossed

HB 2910 originally passed the House as SB 1514 and was one of 22 bills recently vetoed by the Governor.

Committee on Health & Human Services

Senate: APPROP DP 8-1-1-0 | 3rd Read 27-3-0-0

House: HHS DP 9-0-0-0 | APPROP DP 12-0-0-1 | 3rd Read 52-8-0-0

Final Vote: 29-0-1-0

 

Overview

Requires the Arizona Department of Housing (ADOH) to provide emergency shelter beds in western Maricopa County to shelter and service homeless seniors who are at least 55 years old.

History

ADOH is responsible for establishing authorized policies, procedures and programs to address affordable housing issues in Arizona. ADOH must provide to qualified housing participants and Arizona political subdivisions financial, advisory, consultative, planning, training and educational assistance for the development of safe, decent and affordable housing (A.R.S. § 41-3953).

According to the Arizona Department of Economic Security's 2020 Homelessness in Arizona Annual Report, Arizona's homelessness services are divided into three service areas, referred to as continuums of care (COC). Data suggests there are an estimated 7,419 people who are homeless within the Maricopa Regional COC. The report also states that the Housing First model is an evidence-based approach prioritizing permanent housing for people experiencing homelessness.

Provisions

1.   Stipulates ADOH must provide emergency shelter beds in western Maricopa County to shelter and service homeless seniors who are at least 55 years old. (Sec. 1)

2.   Requires ADOH to contract with a single Arizona nonprofit provider that:

a)   Has experience in sheltering 400 or more homeless individuals nightly in temporary shelter;

b)   Has 10 years or more of experience working with the most chronically homeless individuals in Maricopa County;

c)   Has experience providing housing placement services under the Housing First model; and

d)   Participates in the coordinated entry system pursuant to the requirements of the Maricopa COC. (Sec. 1) ☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note

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h)                           HB 2910

i)   Initials EB/IR   Page 0 House Engrossed

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