City of Mesa, Arizona

Agencies That Help

The City of Mesa works with the following programs serving homeless people in Mesa. All of these programs also serve the rest of the East Valley and in most cases receive funding from many or all of the East Valley communities.

Mesa Community Action Network provides rent and utility assistance to prevent eviction and homelessness. They also provide screening and referrals for homeless families wishing to enter shelter facilities such as La Mesita or Save the Family. For more information, please contact (480) 833-9200.

A New Leaf Autumn House and My Sister's Place provide emergency shelter and support services for persons who are victims of domestic violence. For more information, please contact Autumn House at (480) 835-5782 or My Sister's Place at (480) 821-1024.

PREHAB of Arizona's La Mesita - A Family Shelter provides emergency shelter (up to 90 days) and support services for homeless families with children. Families must stay sober, be willing to go to work, save money, and work with a caseworker to remove other barriers to ending homelessness. Contact MesaCAN for screening at (480) 833-9200.

Save the Family Foundation provides transitional housing and support services for homeless families with children. Families must stay sober, be working or willing to go to work, save money, and work with a caseworker to remove other barriers to ending homelessness. For more information, please contact (480) 898-0228.

House of Refuge East provides transitional housing and support services for homeless families with children and single men and women. Participants must stay sober, be working, and work with a caseworker to remove other barriers to ending homelessness. For more information, please contact (480) 988-9242.

East Valley Men's Center (EVMC) operated by Mesa Community Action Network provides transitional housing and support services for homeless men. Men must stay sober, be willing to go to work, and save money, and work with a caseworker to remove other barriers to ending their homelessness. For more information, please contact (480) 610-6722.

Community Bridges, Inc. (formerly EVAC) is a 16-bed medical
detox facility serving the working poor, indigent, and homeless clients throughout Maricopa County wishing to detox from drug and/or alcohol abuse. Eighty percent of the clientele using EVAC are homeless. The average stay is 7-14 days depending on the chemical the client is using at the time. For more information, please contact (480) 962-7922, or (480) 962-7711 for medical detox services.

Homeless Task Force

In response to a visible increase in the homeless street population, the Mesa City Council convened A Citizen's Task Force on Homelessness in 1995. The Task Force worked for ten months to.lop the current homeless plan that was adopted by the City Council in March 1996. The philosophy adopted by the Task Force can be characterized as one of "compassionate accountability" which incorporates the following beliefs:Homeless people have the potential to contribute positively to the community. We should be not fooled by their present circumstances into believing they have nothing to offer. The community can best help by creating viable ways for homeless people to remove the barriers to ending their homelessness so they can become productive members of the community.  Once viable programs are in place, the community has a right to expect that homeless people will work at ending their homelessness and not use places and facilities intended to benefit the whole community to maintain their homeless lifestyle.  Individuals have a right to make choices about how they live their lives and whether or not they will use the programs available, but must also take responsibility for their choices when they fall outside of behavior considered acceptable by the community.  Homeless Task Force Report

Helping the Homeless

Things You Can Do Donate your time and resources to your local homeless shelters. Advocate and communicate with the State level of government to get services and laws needed in the community to provide a continuum of care leading to self-sufficiency. Homeless people are also human.  Treat them with respect and give encouragement. Report crimes against the homeless to local law enforcement. Kids can help too!   Homeless Vets Services Veterans Affairs Dept Of Medical Care Southeast Extension Clinic 6950 E Williams Field Rd Mesa, AZ, 85212-6033 Phone: 602-222-6568 U.S. VETS Phoenix 804 East Jones Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85040 Phone: 602-305-8585 Veterans Services Division 3333 N. Central Ave., Suite 1052 Phoenix, AZ 85012 Phone: 602-62