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Paradise Valley Council Approves Funding for Scottsdale Homelessness Initiatives

By May 31, 2023No Comments

By MacKenzie Brower | Daily Independent

As summer approaches, upon which Paradise Valley Town Council takes a recess, the latest meeting on May 25 saw a long agenda.

Town Council approved three items on the consent agenda (including) funding for homelessness initiatives.

Funding for homelessness initiatives was unanimously approved 6-0. (Council Member Ellen) Andeen was not present.

Town Council will provide $200,000 to the Maricopa Association of Governments for its distribution in the city of Scottsdale to homelessness initiatives that meet the proposed policy direction of the council. The direction is to fund shelter beds and “wraparound” services (social, mental and socioeconomic).

Scottsdale has active contracts underway to enhance emergency shelters, so Paradise Valley’s contribution can have an immediate impact since the town doesn’t have homeless individuals living — nor the land or zoning within its jurisdiction to accommodate such a facility — according to a staff report.

(Council Member Julie) Pace was not in full support of this funding at a previous meeting. Before the vote, Pace pulled the item from the consent agenda for more information from staff about how the money will be specifically used in Scottsdale.

The explanation from Town Manager Jill Keimach moved her to vote in favor of the funding.

Keimach said the funds distributed to MAG is for a “procurement process.” The procurement will go to the executive and management committees at MAG to ensure funds are spent prudently and follow policy direction.

“We specifically say it’s for shelter beds and wraparound services because that’s what gets people out of homelessness. The language says those are the two things,” Keimach said.

The new Town Manager Andrew Ching and Mayor Jerry Bien-Willner also serve on the committees.

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