Phoenix cleared the final blocks of “The Zone” last Wednesday, marking the end of the largest homeless encampment in Arizona, after the majority of homeless were relocated. On the following day, city officials revealed more evictions were filed in October 2023 than in any other month since 2005.
The City of Phoenix cleared the final blocks of “The Zone” last week following a deadline set in court after the city lost a lawsuit from local businesses who successfully obtained a court ruling that determined the city was negligent and ordered the camp cleared. Photos posted to social media appear to confirm “The Zone” was completely cleared on November 2.
Drove through “The Zone” area this morning after Phoenix cleaned & cleared the last block of what used to be the city’s largest homeless camp on Wednesday. This comes amid a court order for the city to clear the encampment by Nov. 4 (1) @12News pic.twitter.com/0ArghOwrhS
— Erica Stapleton (@EricaReportsAll) November 2, 2023
After the the camp was cleared, Phoenix claimed in a press release that an additional “120 people accepted a spot inside an indoor shelter space” and five more relocating to the city’s new Safe Outdoor Space, a sanctioned campsite for the homeless. The city maintains it is illegal to disperse a homeless camp unless alternative accommodations are available, and largely responded to the lawsuit by creating additional room to house the homeless population.
A record-breaking 7,948 evictions filed in Maricopa County during the month of October may complicate the problem, which Arizona’s Family revealed exceeds the September 2005 record of 7,902 filed in one month.
Though the outlet reported many eviction cases are resolved by the tenant and landlord outside of court, the Associated Press reported that recent U.S. Census data shows Maricopa County received the “biggest domestic migration boom” in the United States, with the county receiving nearly 60,000 new residents since the Census Bureau previously estimated the population.
While Maricopa County and Phoenix have increased the number of shelter beds in 2023, the county’s federally mandated Point-in-Time Count published in January revealed the homeless population had doubled in just 10 years. The report estimated there were 9,642 homeless in Maricopa County, and that 51 percent were “unsheltered on the streets or other places not meant for human habitation,” while 49 percent had access to an emergency shelter, transitional housing, or other programs meant to address homelessness.
Some Arizona Republicans have attempted to address homelessness in Arizona, though Republican-backed bills on the issue were vetoed by the governor. State Senator Justine Wadsack (R-Tucscon), whose legislation was vetoed by the governor, told The Arizona Sun Times that Arizona Democrats, particularly Governor Katie Hobbs (D), are unwilling to work with Republicans.
“I have personally witnessed the human tragedies that occur in ‘The Zone,’ every day when I’m leaving the Capitol. We have the same issues in Southern Arizona,” Wadsack told The Sun Times in July, explaining that her experience prompted legislation. Hobbs ultimately vetoed Wadsack’s legislation after it passed, and the senator said it was “because Democrats, including Katie Hobbs, are unwilling to work across the aisle on this critical issue.”
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Georgia Star News, and also reports for The Tennessee Star and the Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Homeless Encampment” by Goldwater Institute.
