By Camryn Sanchez | Arizona Capitol Times
The Senate passed a homelessness mitigation bill (on March 21) with overwhelming support, much to the happiness of sponsor Sen. Catherine Miranda, D-Laveen, who has made this her main effort.
Five Republicans joined the Senate Democrats in voting yes on the bill which passed 18-11-1 and now moves on to the House, where Miranda intends to amend it and make it even more comprehensive.
Senate Bill 1585 directs three state departments to implement homelessness solutions and appropriates $145 million dollars for that purpose. Miranda wants the appropriation around $1 billion dollars, but the bill’s appropriation now is still too much for some members to support.
Among other things, the bill gives rental assistance, affordable housing grants, eviction prevention, job training, and shelter to homeless people with mental illnesses and/or substance abuse.
Treating mental illnesses and offering rehabilitation for substance abuse are key parts of Miranda’s plan. After treatment, she said the “ultimate goal” is housing.
Instead of speaking at length on the bill, Miranda used her floor speech for a moment of silence in honor of a homeless person in Phoenix who recently died and whose burned body was found in a dumpster on Tuesday morning.
The bill originally had an emergency clause which would have required two thirds of the chamber’s votes to pass and is not currently on the bill. However, if the bill picks up 40 or more House votes and gets at least 20 votes in the Senate final read, then it can still get an emergency clause and take effect instantly.
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