On any given day, more than 9,700 men, women, and children are navigating homelessness across the Valley. Some are highly visible—living in tent communities, along roadsides, or in public parks. Others are hidden from view, staying in vehicles, isolated areas, or transitional housing.
In 2025, Maricopa County hit a heartbreaking mark: over half of those experiencing homelessness were unsheltered—a trend that has only worsened in recent years. The number of people without a safe place to stay has increased by 28% since last year, with chronic homelessness more than doubling since 2019.
And while the numbers are staggering, each person represents a unique story. The causes and challenges of homelessness are as diverse as the people themselves—from job loss and mental health struggles to addiction, domestic violence, or a lifetime of trauma.
Who’s Homeless?
According to Maricopa County’s official Point-In-Time count in January 2025:
53 %
are unsheltered — on the streets, in their cars or some other habitation unfit for humans
47 %
are sheltered in some sort of emergency housing or program
65 %
male
35 %
female
More Details
What Does Homelessness Look Like?
Not everyone classified as homeless is living on the streets. Other common situations not included in the Point-in-Time count include:
- Families and individuals crammed into homes with friends or relatives, without the security of a lease, a legal guarantee of habitation, or even a bedroom!
- People “couch surfing” with one friend after another
- People living in garages, stairwells, their cars or other out-of-the-way spots
Very often, these places of refuge are the “final strands” of a badly torn safety net keeping individuals off the streets. When they break, there is nowhere else left to go.
Why Does Homelessness Happen?
People tend to become homeless due to an overwhelming combination of personal crises, including:
While addiction is by far the most common reason for homelessness, experience has shown us that the line between drugs, alcoholism and mental illness is not always easy to pinpoint. Many men and women with substance abuse problems have deep emotional scars, frequently from childhood. It’s no surprise either that most people on the streets also lack an adequate support network. Their backgrounds routinely include broken homes, abusive relationships, financial disasters, crushed hopes and other devastating losses.
These personal tragedies are the “story behind the story” of addiction, and addressing any and all related root issues is paramount to an individual’s long-term recovery.
What is the Phoenix Rescue Mission Doing?
Our vision is to bring love, hope and transformation to every neighbor in the Valley, especially those who are crushed by the overwhelming burdens of homelessness, hunger, addiction or trauma.
These comprehensive programs address the whole person — their physical, emotional, spiritual and financial needs. We continue to test new concepts, strengthen existing programs and build strategic partnerships with public and private entities for the betterment of our community and the care of our neighbors.
We believe no one has lived so long in the darkness that the light of restoration and love of God is beyond them.
This vision is fulfilled through:
Hope is alive here.
Thanks to the faithful prayers and generous support of our friends, Phoenix Rescue Mission is built on a Gospel foundation and carries out the Great Commission of Jesus Christ throughout the Valley, with a special emphasis on serving the “least of these” (Matthew 25:40).
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