Effort underway to provide housing, services to Phoenix homeless

PHOENIX (AP) - There's a plan to provide housing and other services for homeless people who have been staying in and outside an overflow shelter near downtown Phoenix.

City and Maricopa County officials said Tuesday that the parking lot will remain open for the homeless but that the overflow shelter is being closed because of costly structural problems.

According to Amy Jacobson of the county's Community Development Division, $2 million from the city and the county is to be used to provide rental assistance and other services.

The plan also includes providing temporary indoor shelter across the street from the overflow shelter.

The Valley of the Sun United Way also is involved, and Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton called the effort an example of how public-private partnerships can tackle a pressing community issue.