WHEREAS, more than 37,000 individuals received homelessness services in State Fiscal Year 2021, including significant numbers of Arizona families, veterans and seniors; and 

WHEREAS, based on annual Point-In-Time counts, the number of individuals experiencing homelessness in Arizona increased by more than 51% from 2017 to 2022; and

WHEREAS, the need for affordable housing is among the most pressing issues currently facing the State; and

WHEREAS, multiple State agencies bear the responsibility of serving those experiencing homelessness and those who are at risk of homelessness; and

WHEREAS, ending homelessness requires collaboration among State agencies, local governments, the private sector and service provider networks to coordinate program development, deliver essential services and provide housing; and

WHEREAS, ending or reducing homelessness contributes to economic development and improves the overall quality of life for everyone in our communities; and

WHEREAS, Executive Order 2010-03 created the Governor’s Arizona Commission on Homelessness and Housing (the “Commission”); and

WHEREAS, despite an urgent need for collaboration to address the problem of homelessness and related housing issues, Executive Order 2020-01 abolished the Commission; and

WHEREAS, the bipartisan Housing Supply Study Committee that convened in 2022 pursuant to H.B. 2674 concurs with the Governor’s determination that a body substantially similar to the Commission should be reinstated. 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Katie Hobbs, Governor of the State of Arizona, by virtue of the power vested in me by the Arizona Constitution and the laws of this State, hereby order and direct as follows:

1. The Governor’s Interagency and Community Council on Homelessness and Housing (the “Council”) is created to develop and implement a plan to prevent and end homelessness in the State of Arizona and to serve as a statewide homelessness planning and policy development resource for the Governor and the State of Arizona.

2. The Council shall be chaired by the Governor of the State of Arizona, and in his/her absence, co-chaired by the Directors of the Department of Economic Security and the Department of Housing, each of whom shall have the power to convene the Council.

3. The Council shall be comprised of the following thirteen (13) or more members, each of whom shall be appointed by the Governor and serve, without compensation, at the pleasure of the Governor.

Membership shall include the Directors of the following governmental entities:

• Arizona Department of Housing

• Arizona Department of Economic Security

• Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation, & Reentry

• Arizona Department of Health Services

• Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services

• Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System

• Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections

Membership shall include a combination of at least ten (10) representatives to be chosen by the Governor from among the following:

• Arizona Department of Education

• Business community

• Philanthropic community

• Non-profit community

• Faith-based community

• Housing developer or housing authority

• Homelessness or housing advocacy organization

• Homelessness emergency shelter provider

• Permanent supportive housing program

• Youth homelessness program

• HUD Continua of Care

• Local and State government leader(s)

• Individuals experiencing homelessness or formerly experiencing homelessness

4. Members of the Council shall either attend meetings and vote in person or send an officially designated alternate.  Alternates shall have been delegated by the member with full authority to vote and otherwise act on behalf of the member.

5. A work group shall support the Council to assist with its duties and make recommendations about its work. The work group shall report its activities and recommendations to the Council.  The work group shall be comprised of staff from each State agency represented on the Council, representatives of the State’s continuum of care organizations, a statewide homelessness advocacy group, and other public and private entities as determined by the Council.  The work group shall also assist the Council in its outreach to local communities regarding the State’s plan to prevent and end homelessness.  

6. The Council may also form a community advisory board to provide the Council with perspective on community-specific issues throughout Arizona.