Tim Agne/KJZZ

"The Zone,” a homeless encampment spanning several blocks west of downtown Phoenix, in March 2023.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and the Maricopa Association of Governments is working to shed light on the link between domestic violence and homelessness.

Anita Norton-McDaniel with MAG says 44% of U.S. cities cited domestic violence as the primary reason for people losing their homes.

"One of the main reasons why a victim doesn’t leave their abuser is because of the financial dependence they have on the abuser and not having the resources or support to escape the abuse," she said. 

Norton-McDaniel says there are not enough resources around the Valley for domestic abuse victims. She added that about 57% of unsheltered women cited such violence as the immediate cause for their homelessness.

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