The Haven, an emergency shelter dedicated to serving seniors experiencing homelessness, has opened its doors in Phoenix.
Designed to serve up to 170 older adults, the complex was created by Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS) in response to a large number of unhoused seniors in the city. The 2024 point-in-time count in Maricopa County found 1,962 homeless individuals 55 and older, including 579 people 65 and older.
“With homelessness among seniors being the fastest-growing population in Maricopa County, The Haven provides critical resources and care for one of Arizona’s most vulnerable demographics,” says CASS CEO Nathan Smith. “In addition to our 90-day shelter program, the new facility also features wraparound services, case management, and dementia screenings upon check-in to ensure proper care is provided. Our goal is to help our residents find the solutions they need to get them back on their feet again.”
He credits former CASS leader Lisa Glow with recognizing the local need and launching the idea for The Haven. “It’s rooted in seeing the aging homeless population as a trend that’s consistent with the aging population across the country as a whole and saying, ‘What can we do about that?” Smith says.
With the help of the city and local architecture firm HDR, CASS converted a former Phoenix Inn into a 130-unit shelter. The first residents have recently moved in, and more will follow in the months ahead. The plan is to have The Haven operational and filled before it gets too hot for seniors to be on the streets.
The design incorporates wayfinding elements like vibrant colors to distinguish each floor, along with trauma-informed design principles woven throughout. Many residents have pets that are their best friends, so there’s also a dog run. In addition, there’s a bocce ball court to encourage social interaction and physical activity.
Helping the homeless since 1984, CASS is known for its 600-bed single adult shelter, the largest in Arizona, which is full every night. Many of the older people who have been staying at this site will be referred to The Haven, Smith says, adding there will also be opportunities for others to be referred from first responders and other agencies.
He is careful to not make broad claims about The Haven, but it’s safe to say there aren’t many, if any, communities like it. “Across the country, where there may be smaller shelters for seniors, there’s nothing this big,” Smith says.
People will be able to stay at The Haven for 90 days, but that’s not a hard stop, according to Smith. “In that time, they’re getting case management services,” he says. “Every individual there receives case management on a very low case management ratio. It’s one case manager for every 15 clients. In this work, it is a best practice to go 1 to 30. We’re half of that, so we can provide more intensive support for people who may come up as having a cognitive issue like dementia or any number of other mental or physical health needs that escalate when people get older.”
CASS is hoping to create a pipeline for clients to move from the senior shelter into permanent affordable housing.
The Haven was supported by approximately $6 million in COVID-19 relief funds from the city and the governor’s office. The Southwest Gas Foundation was also a supporter along with The Kemper & Ethel Marley Foundation, Arizona Department of Housing, Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust, city of Mesa, Burton Family Foundation, Gila River Indian Community, and others.
