Funding by the Hickey Family Foundation is supporting emergency shelter beds and supportive services at HomeBase, currently the community’s primary provider of these services for youth under the age of 25. Facilities are located in Central Phoenix, and a 40+ bed facility in Surprise. We are also supporting costs for Sahuaro Ki, NAC’s longer stay housing community for this population. NAC expects that 72% of youth being served through HomeBase programs will have a positive housing outcome.

Since HUD funding cuts to transitional housing were implemented affecting HomeBase services, NAC has taken on several efforts to ensure youth experiencing homelessness still have access to housing and the supportive services needed to end their homelessness. Emergency Shelter (1-30 days) offers youth safe and secure emergency shelter, crisis stabilization and access to meals, clothing, laundry and hygiene items. Within the first two days, youth work with a case manager to complete an assessment and secure ID, birth certificate and social security card. Outstanding legal issues will be addressed including fines, warrants, court dates and required classes.

Prior to reaching the end of their 30-day stay, it may be determined that it is in the youth’s best interest to engage in the HomeBase Youth Development Program which offers a longer stay and more intensive attention toward improving education through GED or completion of high school classes, obtaining skills needed for successful employment, addressing substance use, and demonstrating proficiency in life skills.

For more information, visit nativeconnections.org/housing/youth