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Tempe Community Action Agency outlines shelter expansion, $2 million donation and funding risks for services
Summary
TCAA CEO Philip Sharf told the commission that TCAA plans a Jerry Brock Human Services Center (site near Apache/Loop 101) supported by a reported $2,000,000 gift; the center would add beds and a 24/7 shelter model but Sharf warned reductions to federal pass-through funding threaten emergency-shelter operations.
Philip Sharf, chief executive officer of Tempe Community Action Agency, briefed the Human Services Advisory Commission on Aug. 28 about TCAA’s regional programs and a planned expansion of shelter and service capacity.
Sharf said TCAA runs a range of services across health, housing and upward mobility, including a shelter program called I HELP, the Valley’s largest food pantry in the Tempe–South Scottsdale area, home-delivered meals and a community assistance program that provided nearly $1 million in rent and utility support to more than 2,100 individuals last year. "In that food pantry program, it accounts for over 680,000 meals a year that's delivered through those food boxes," Sharf said, citing broad food-distribution metrics.
Sharf announced that TCAA had received a $2,000,000 contribution from a longtime resident, Jerry Brock, toward a new Jerry Brock Human Services Center. He said the new facility — sited on Apache just east of Loop 101 along the light rail — would increase emergency-shelter capacity from 40 beds to 68 emergency beds plus 12 transitional beds, allow 24/7 operations with wraparound services, and house a commercial kitchen. "We will be moving to this building by 2026," Sharf said, adding the center would enable extended shelter hours and additional services.
At the same time, Sharf warned of funding risks: he said recent federal and county prioritization changes and reductions in federal pass-throughs are shifting dollars away from emergency shelter. "If the federal funds dry up for you, you can't do what you're doing," he told commissioners, and added that continued cuts could force program closures. He said TCAA’s overall operations are about $5.5 million annually and the new building would raise annual costs by about $2.5 million, mainly for 24/7 staffing and food costs.
Commissioners asked follow-up questions on refusal rates for shelter (Sharf said about 20% of unsheltered people decline shelter), demographics, veteran homelessness figures for Maricopa County (about 542 veterans), and transit access to the new site. Sharf said the site location on the Apache corridor provides light-rail access connecting clients to other services.
Sharf thanked commissioners for partnership and noted TCAA’s collaboration with Scottsdale on meal service pilots and Granite Reef Senior Center programming. He also confirmed an SRPMIC grant supports some programs.
