Community Bridges Inc. (CBI) received a $4million grant from the City of Phoenix to open a new bridge shelter in northwest Phoenix to temporarily house people experiencing homelessness while the organization works to secure them permanent housing.

The money comes from federal funds allocated to the city through the CARES Act, the first federal relief package passed by Congress to address the impacts of the pandemic.

While we all agree that there is an urgent need for Homeless Shelters and affordable Housing in Phoenix, the location of these small specialized shelters throughout the City has to be such that they do not negatively impact the Neighborhoods within which they reside.  The I-17 corridor has been historically know to be saturated with Social Service providers, half way houses, behavioral health facilities.  CBI has made an offer on a property (Black Canyon Conference Center) located at 9440 N. 25th ave., Phoenix, AZ 85021. Alternately they are seeking to make an offer on another property - Ottawa University, located at 9414 N 25the ave, Phoenix 85021.  Both these locations are across the Street from Rose Mofford Park and is less than a Mile and a half from a Homeless Shelter for Seniors operated by CASS (I17 and Northern). Here are reasons why we should be concerned with this location:

1. Rose Mofford is a National Park which generates over $100,000 a year in revenue. 1000’s of children will be there on any given weekend. With the Shelter close to the Park, there is every possibility that the park will have transients congregating around the Park, requiring more security personnel to safeguard the Park and the surrounding neighborhood.  The location would lead to drug lords preying on our vulnerable population at that location.
2. The canal is less than 100 feet away. Our police, NHS, Fire, Phx Cares are constantly monitoring our canals for criminal transient activity.
3. The resources police, fire, NHS, Parks, Phx Cares and transit police will be resourced for this site. Those resources which should have been dedicated to other areas most importantly neighborhoods will not have available resources because of the amount of time dedicated to keeping our canal, park and light rail safe.
4. The City is investing with other investors over $750,000,000 for the development of Metro Center. The next light rail stop from this area.
5. The parcel is over five acres. The opportunity for a housing development here is outstanding. We could build over 240 one, two, three bedroom apartments on this site. We could potentially house over 800 to 1000 people on this site. Children could play in the park across the street. We could create housing for our teachers, police and fire. Our Washington school system has been directly hit with all the non-profits locating along the I-17 corridor +/- two miles.
6. This shelter is NOT in alignment with the Homeless Taskforce Recommendations.
7. We need to put our children and senior safety first.
8. The I-17 corridor is known to be a safe haven for drugs.  We need to consciously work towards changing that image and provide a better environment for our Current and Future generations.

This is not about a NIMBY attitude, it is about SMART planning. We support Homeless Shelters but not at this location (across from the Park). We can do better than this!  Consider signing this petition!