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Phoenix expands heat-response and alternative 911 programs as homelessness programs show results
Summary
Mayor Kate Gallego described expanded cooling centers, a growing community assistance response team, and the city's Office of Homeless Solutions' work in moving thousands into housing; she cited reduced heat-related 911 calls and specific client success stories.
Mayor Kate Gallego described efforts to reduce heat-related harm and shift appropriate 911 responses away from police by expanding alternative responses and services for people experiencing homelessness.
"A significant change for Phoenix is recognizing that not every 911 call requires a response from a police officer," Gallego said, and she highlighted the fire department's community assistance program as an alternative mental-health-focused response for many unsheltered calls.
Why it matters: Phoenix faces extreme heat and an unsheltered population that often requires services beyond traditional policing. The mayor said alternative response and cooling infrastructure reduce emergency calls and help move people into shelter and treatment.
Details and outcomes: Gallego said last year the community assistance response team handled more than 10,000 calls for service and that many of those were transferred from police. She said heat-related 911 calls dropped by 20% after the city opened a 24-hour cooling center and launched other pilot programs, and she said shelter outreach helped move more than 900 people into stable shelter, nearly 100 of whom were children.
The mayor shared a case study: Deshawn (name used in speech) was at a bus stop, said he had mental-health and substance-use struggles and suicidal thoughts, and was transported by the community assistance team to a behavioral health clinic and received treatment. The mayor also cited Crystal and Ralph, two people who were helped into housing and recovery after city-supported services and transitional housing, and noted the city's Office of Homeless Solutions has worked with partners to help more than 12,000 people end homelessness since the office became permanent three years ago.
Discussion vs. decision: Gallego described the city’s programs and past outcomes and noted continued expansion of cooling centers and alternative-response capacity; she did not record a new ordinance or vote during the address.
What’s next: The mayor said the city will operate 24-hour cooling centers, continue wraparound services, incorporate new cooling technologies (including a modular cooling tower system used at Keys for Change), and work with neighboring jurisdictions to increase capacity during extreme heat.
