October 6, 2021

Notice of Public Hearing of Development of Housing for Persons with Behavioral Health Needs Experiencing Homelessness

In accordance with Arizona Revised Statutes § 36-136(C), the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) is holding an online public hearing on Tuesday, October 12, 2021, 2:00-3:00 p.m. to gather community and provider input regarding the development of bridge housing on the Arizona State Hospital (ASH) grounds for persons with behavioral health needs who are transitioning from homelessness.

In 2019, $3 million was allocated from the Housing Trust Fund for the development of bridge housing on the ASH campus. The State has allocated an additional $3 million, $1 million for additional capital costs and $2 million for two years of operations, bringing total project funding to $6 million. This bridge housing project addresses three community and service priorities:

1. The need for capacity to address increasing street and unsheltered homelessness for persons with mental health needs,
2. The need for a longer term option with specialized intensive peer and home and community based supportive services to address the complex needs of the target population, and
3. The interest in decreasing the number of homeless persons with mental health needs and increasing the number of persons served in permanent supportive housing with wraparound services.

The proposed site is located on approximately one acre of Bower Park on the ASH campus, on the southwest corner of the campus at 24th Street and Van Buren. The proposal also includes opportunities for outreach, engagement and the provision of behavioral health services to be delivered directly to residents on campus and community members, through partnership with a behavioral health provider.

Anticipated to be released in mid-November 2021, AHCCCS will seek to identify a qualified provider and operator subject to the qualifications and requirements as stated in the upcoming RFP.

AHCCCS is also accepting written comments regarding the proposed construction on the ASH campus through November 1, 2021. Submit comments to: publicinput@azahcccs.gov.

Please register in advance to attend the public hearing on Oct. 12.

To request accommodations in order to participate, please contact AHCCCS at (602) 417-4729 by Oct. 8 so that AHCCCS can make arrangements to ensure accessibility.