Coverage of aging is supported in part by AARP Arizona
Earlier this year, Haven, one of the only temporary shelters for unhoused senior citizens in the country, finally opened its doors after years of delays. This was the Haven’s first official summer. Here’s how it went.
When KJZZ last checked in at the Haven, there were only a handful of people staying there.
Nathan Smith is the CEO for the Central Arizona Shelter Services, which oversees the Haven. He says by summer, it was a full house.
“We’re really happy with the outcomes, I would say more than anything that we’re able to help people accomplish,” Smith said.
Specifically getting clients into permanent housing. He says affordable housing for the population remains a challenge.
“Another thing that has been challenging for us is having the right space to really allow for our residents to do more than just the basics of eat, sleep and work with their case plans,” Smith said.
Smith says there are plans to eventually build a community center at the Haven.
