PHOENIX — A large emergency shelter campus in Phoenix is set to expand to serve even more unhoused people in the Valley.
The James M. Cox Foundation awarded a $250,000 grant to facilitate a major redesign and renovation project for UMOM New Day Centers, the organizations announced Thursday.
This flush of funds will enable UMOM to increase capacity and reduce wait times at its campus near Van Buren and 32nd streets.
The nonprofit, which is the largest provider of emergency shelter for families in Arizona, aims to provide dignified spaces where unhoused people can heal and forge a new path.
How is grant helping UMOM New Day Centers expand?
The nonprofit’s CEO, Jackson Fonder, said the project will add 150 rooms to the shelter, which increases its capacity by 25%.
“The renovation of these facilities allows us to continue to provide critical support to families,” Fonder said in the announcement.
The money will also expand wraparound supportive services, such as workforce development and case management. The renovation project will also create large shelter rooms that will accommodate larger families.
“Shelter units like these offer immediate relief to families experiencing a housing crisis and help them begin the path to long-term stability, ensuring they have the resources to rebuild their lives,” Fonder said.
More than 350 families are experiencing homelessness in Phoenix, and they can wait up to nine weeks for shelter, according to UMOM.
We want to hear from you.
Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.
