ACLU attorney calls changes to Phoenix's handling of 'The Zone' homeless encampment a good start
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“The Zone” has become a flashpoint in the debate over how the city of Phoenix should handle its unsheltered population.
The 10-block area in downtown Phoenix has been home to about 1,000 people experiencing homelessness for several years and is at the center of a Department of Justice investigation as well as two separate lawsuits.
On Dec. 16, the city resumed its cleaning of the encampment, but with some new protocols in place after a judge’s ruling that said the city can continue its clean-ups but cannot engage in certain activities that potentially harm the people living there.
The ACLU of Arizona filed the lawsuit to protect the homeless population in the zone; The Show spoke with senior staff attorney Benjamin Rundall to learn his reaction.
The Show also reached out to the city of Phoenix, which sent a statement saying the court allowed the city to go forward with its cleanup efforts and that the enhanced cleanings “provide an important opportunity to conduct outreach and engage with people who are unsheltered to offer them services to help end their homelessness and safe indoor spaces to stay.”
The city also said their process has withstood legal challenges, and they’re confident they can conduct these cleanings and protect the rights of unsheltered residents.
Full statement from the City of Phoenix:
On Friday, the City of Phoenix successfully completed its pilot program of enhanced cleanings on Madison St. between 12th and 13th Avenues. Despite misgivings by the ACLU, the court refused to prohibit the City of Phoenix’s cleaning efforts and the City intends to continue its efforts in that regard.
The enhanced cleanings provide an important opportunity to conduct outreach and engage with people who are unsheltered to offer them services to help end their homelessness and safe indoor spaces to stay. Approximately 40 individuals were staying in the pilot area and each person was offered an available bed at a shelter. 33 people accepted services and were placed in shelter.
The City of Phoenix is always looking to improve our processes when it comes to serving those who are unsheltered. Prior to conducting this pilot, we implemented additional measures to address concerns about property and storage. We will thoroughly review and adjust our practices if we need to make any additional modifications. Our process withstood a legal challenge and we are confident that continuing the enhanced cleanings with these measures in place will protect the constitutional rights of our unsheltered residents.
