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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
mixed hoteling; signage; requirements
Purpose
Requires a homeless service provider, building supervisor and building owner of a hotel that engages in mixed hoteling to prominently post a prescribed statement that informs the reader that the business is being used to house homeless individuals alongside the general public. Requires any guest who objects to mixed hoteling to be issued a full refund at the time of arrival and prohibits the use of state or local monies for mixed hoteling.
Background
The federal American
Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) provided $5 billion to assist individuals or
households who are homeless, at risk of homelessness and other vulnerable
populations by providing housing, rental assistance, supportive services and
non-congregate shelter to reduce homelessness. ARPA grant funds are
administered through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and
may be used for eligible activities, including:
1) production or preservation of affordable housing; 2) tenant-based rental
assistance;
3) supportive services, homeless prevention services and housing counseling;
and 4) purchase and development of non-congregate shelter, which may also be
converted to emergency shelter, permanent housing or affordable housing.
The Arizona Department of Economic Services (DES) contracts with
community-based organizations to take applications, determine eligibility and
provide short-term services to
low-income persons through the use of federal and state monies. DES, through
contracted agents, must administer short-term crisis services, including: 1)
emergency shelter to eligible persons;
2) rent or mortgage assistance to prevent homelessness; 3) utility assistance
for eligible persons with a current or anticipated interruption of heating or
colling services, or both, if the person's health and safety will be put in
danger; 4) utility repair and replacement; and 5) special needs as determined
by DES to secure or maintain employment. The DES Homeless Coordination Office
uses a combination of federal and state funds to contract with not for profit
and local government entities to provide rapid rehousing, emergency shelter,
homeless prevention and street outreach throughout Arizona (A.R.S. §§ 46-241 and 46-241.01;
DES).
An emergency shelter includes temporary shelter in a hotel, motel or licensed homeless shelter facility. A person is considered eligible for short-term crisis services for emergency shelter if the person is literally homeless, in imminent risk of homelessness, homeless under outlined federal statutes or fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence (A.R.S. § 46-241; ADOR).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires, if a homeless service provider engages in mixed hoteling, the homeless service provider, building supervisor and building owner to post signs over each entrance and exit to the building and in a place clearly visible from the reception desk that states:
This business is being used to house homeless individuals alongside the general public. It is recommended that all guests keep hotel doors locked, safely store their belongings and report any health or safety concerns to local law enforcement.
2. Requires all required signs to be in red, 25-point highway gothic bolded font, on a white background and on a sign that is at least 18 inches in width and 24 inches in height.
3. Requires the prescribed text of the sign to be prominently posted on any website that accepts or facilitates general public bookings for the hotel.
4. Requires a printed form that clearly states that the hotel is engaged in mixed hoteling to be provided to all guests before checking into the hotel.
5. Requires any guest who objects to mixed hoteling before checking into the hotel to be issued a full refund.
6. Prohibits state or local monies from being used for mixed hoteling.
7. Defines homeless service provider as a provider that provides services to homeless individuals who are destitute.
8. Defines mixed hoteling as providing rooms or shelter services, whether emergency, temporary or transitional rooms or shelter, to homeless individuals while concurrently providing hotel services to the general public in the same building or on the same premises.
9. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
GOV 2/19/25 DP 4-3-0-0
3rd Read 3/4/25 31-26-3
Prepared by Senate Research
March 17, 2025
AN/SDR/ci