Tempe, AZ – A limited number of homeless individuals in Tempe could get city jobs and assistance with daily living needs under a two-year pilot program called Tempe Works.

At its Sept. 18 Work Study Session, the Tempe City Council cleared the way for the concept of the program, which would be the first of its kind in Arizona. Partners in the effort include the city, Tempe Community Action Agency (TCAA), Tempe-based Corporate Job Bank, which is the city’s vendor for temporary employees, and Tempe First United Methodist Church, which coordinates a program for showers and meals for the homeless.

Tempe Works would open a maximum of four part-time city positions, performing functions within the Public Works Department such as repairing refuse cans and maintaining the purity of green organic compost by removing contaminants like plastic bottles. Participants will be paid the state's new minimum wage of $12 an hour and they would be provided assistance with housing, transportation, uniforms, medical care and daily living needs. Positions could have the possibility of becoming full time. 

The concept moves next to the Sept. 28 Regular Council Meeting for a City Council vote on a formal agreement between the city and its partners. If approved, Tempe Works would move forward to implementation and jobs could be filled by the end of 2017.

The idea was developed through a Tempe City Council working group proposed by Councilmember Randy Keating, after he heard of a smaller-scale City of Albuquerque, New Mexico, day worker program. Vice Mayor Robin Arredondo-Savage and Councilmember Joel Navarro also served on the working group to develop Tempe Works.

Keating said Tempe Works can easily be scaled up and possibly create dozens of jobs for Tempe’s homeless – both city jobs and positions at companies contracted with Corporate Job Bank.

“This is a community-based effort to address an issue that impacts our entire region,” Keating said. “I hope it can serve as a model for other cities in the Valley, specifically those that border Tempe, as they also look for creative solutions to our biggest regional problem.”

For more information on Tempe’s comprehensive initiative to end homelessness, visit www.tempe.gov/HomelessResources. 

I wanted to thank you all for your help during the campaign. Last night’s win wasn’t mine, it truly was obtained through a team effort. Our success was earned with the hard work of dozens of volunteers, contributions from hundreds donors, and the grassroots support of thousands of engaged people just like you. I am immensely proud of the strong and positive campaign we ran together. Thank you for making it possible.

I’d like to take the opportunity to specifically thank the campaign team:

Austin Stumpf was my campaign manager and did a fantastic job. Last night’s win puts his all-time campaign record at an impressive 3-0. Campaign manager is a tough job, it’s certainly not for everyone but once again Austin has proved he is more than capable.

Ethan Clay was our campaign intern/campus coordinator and he did a great job. He worked hard, was always there to help and kept a great attitude. Ethan is just starting out his political career, but if his effort in our race is any indicator, I think it’s safe to say he has a bright future.

Paige Reesor not only is my girlfriend but also one of my biggest advocates. She cooked breakfast for 10-20 volunteers almost every weekend from June 2014 all the way through Election Day. Paige more than anyone experienced the day-to-day ups and downs of life on the campaign trail, and her calming influence really helped me keep perspective.

Lauren Kuby and David Schapira have been there since my political beginnings. They’ve been close friends for years, and I’m excited to have the opportunity to call them colleagues. Their experience helped us run a smart, efficient, and effective campaign.

A campaign is hard, and as hard as it is on the candidate, it’s at least as hard on those closest to you. Thank you all, I couldn’t have asked for a better team or a better group of supporters!