Off the Streets

The Mesa Housing Path offers various access points throughout the community to get the most vulnerable Mesa-based individuals off the streets and in contact with the resources and support needed for safe housing, stability, and life skills to achieve sustainable success.

Emergency
Immediate shelter for those who accept services including referrals from Mesa staff and our community partners.

The Off the Streets program provides a safe place to sleep, food, clothing, access to mental health and substance use treatment and connection to other services. This resource allows us to support our goal of a healthy and safe community for all. Referrals are made to the most appropriate program for stabilization.

Stabilization
A stable environment allows the client to establish a housing plan with a caseworker, receive support in getting identification and other essential documents, and continue to address health and safety needs. Clients are connected to employment services like the Mesa Work Force Development Center and work through their housing plan, which is individualized based on the person’s circumstances and resources. From here, people may enter a transitional housing program or housing of their own.

Bridge to Success
Transition to more independence in programs that maintain built in structure, such as A New Leaf's Helaman House. Wrap-around services continue with case managers while clients build work and credit history, establish savings for their own home, practice life skills and connect to rental assistance, housing vouchers or other long-term solution for affordable housing.

Rental Assistance
Access to services such as rental assistance or housing vouchers.

Homebuyer education, credit building and supportive assistance to achieve self-sufficiency. One year to unlimited support through Rapid Rehousing, Housing Choice Vouchers, and other voucher programs.

Independence
Graduation from housing voucher and rental assistance programs. Assistance to access down payment, loans, and reduced mortgage rate programs.

About the Program
Mesa’s Off the Streets program provides temporary housing in a leased hotel in east Mesa.

How It Works

• Referral Only: Entry is by referral, no walk-ups.
• Closed Campus: No drop-in services are offered.
• Safe & Secure: 24/7 staff oversight, case management and dedicated police presence ensure a safe and welcoming environment.
• Housing Stability: Participants are supported in developing and acting on a personalized housing stability plan.

Accountability
The program is designed to maintain a safe and supportive environment for all participants. Individuals are expected to follow program guidelines and actively engage in their housing stability plan. If someone is unable to meet these expectations, they may be transitioned out of the program and connected with alternative housing options better suited to their needs.

Community Impact The program provides a safe environment while supporting overall public safety in the surrounding neighborhood. With dedicated on-site support and collaboration with Mesa Public Safety, crime levels in the area have remained consistent with or below citywide averages over the past three years, showing no negative impact from the program.

• Dedicated police presence on-site day and night. 
• 24-7 on-site oversight. 
• Mesa PD and contracted agency collaborate with surrounding businesses and residents to address pre-existing and future public health and safety concerns. 
• Clear communication channels for nearby businesses and residents to connect with City with questions/concerns. 
• No walk-up or drop-in services available or allowed. Referral based program only. 
• Clean and well-maintained campus, including landscape, lighting and property improvements so facility complements quality development in the area. 
• Limited and visually buffered outdoor areas for participant use. 
• Curfew enforced for program participants at 10pm. 
• Daily room checks of participant rooms. 
• No visitors allowed in rooms without permission and monitoring. 
• Participants provided off-campus wrap-around services to avoid duplication and to reduce potential for walk-up traffic at the hotel.

Mesa purchased this property to be used for the Off the Streets program and will operate 64 non-congregate rooms.

Mesa took ownership of the property in November 2023. Since then, property assessment, asbestos abatement, pest control, architect design, permitting and construction bids have taken place.

Construction began January 2025 and is projected to be complete in early 2026.

As part of our Good Neighbor Policy, we are available for any questions or concerns you may have about this project.

Questions?

Construction questions: 480-644-3800

Program coordinator: 480-644-3695

Will this increase urban camping?
No. Having emergency beds as part of the Off the Streets program allows Mesa Police to enforce urban camping laws citywide, supporting our goal of a healthy and safe community for all. Per the 9th Circuit case law (Martin v. Boise) the City cannot enforce trespassing laws for people sleeping in public spaces unless a bed is made available and the person refuses the bed. Officers also have the opportunity to cite people into Mesa Community Court. This Court provides willing participants a chance to connect to services and work off their fines/fees for minor offenses such as trespassing by following court directives in making progress in getting employment and housing and getting back on their feet.

Will all of Mesa's homeless population be brought to the hotel and when they exit the program where will they go?

• Stay at OTS Program: Individuals enrolled in the OTS program may stay at the hotel for a few days or up to 90 days as they make positive progress on their housing plan.
  
  
• Exit and Transportation: Upon exiting our program, individuals are provided transportation by CBI to their next destination. This could be another program as part of their housing plan, a group home, or a new residence they've established with assistance from OTS.
  
  
• Crisis Placement: Individuals released from the program due to negative behaviors are offered crisis placement. They are then transported to these locations by CBI for further support and assistance.

What is the referral process for the OTS program?
It's important to note that some people who need shelter may not first come to our Off the Streets program. In each case, we work with existing service providers in Mesa, such as the East Valley Men's Shelter, treatment facilities, and domestic violence shelters, that consider their individual needs and available resources. Referrals to Off the Streets program are made through various channels including Mesa staff and our community partners.

Will this program cause an increase in homelessness, panhandling, and urban camping in the area?
At the current location, due to the program structure and the security presence, we have not seen a negative impact or rise in homelessness, panhandling or urban camping. Crime trends have been similar to what we have seen citywide, meaning the presence of our program has not increased crime in the area.

We are in the process of assessing the area surrounding The Grand Hotel to determine what the current state of homelessness is in the area, and how we may be able to improve it.

Based on our experience at the current site, we believe the presence of CBI staff and services, and police dedicated to this program support an environment for more immediate response to current or future challenges.

Why is dedicated police presence needed if Mesa says it is a great program?
Providing quality services, supporting a safe environment and being a good neighbor are important to us and our partner, CBI.

The program is safe and we feel confident about being a good neighbor because:

• CBI is on site 24/7 with trained staff, strong program rules, regular contact with program participants, and valuable resources that are available on and off campus (triage nurse, emergency medical van, treatment facilities, workforce development services).
• Additionally, we provide dedicated police presence on-site day and night to support the safety of staff and clients in crisis, and to help the surrounding community feel more comfortable and secure.