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HB2533 - 572R - H Ver
House Engrossed
homeless services;
office; board
State of Arizona
House of Representatives
Fifty-seventh Legislature
Second Regular Session
2026
HOUSE BILL 2533
AN
ACT
Amending title 41, chapter 27, article 2,
Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 41-3030.27; amending title 41,
chapter 37, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding article 6; relating to
homelessness.
(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
Be it
enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:
Section 1. Title 41, chapter 27, article 2,
Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 41-3030.27, to read:
START_STATUTE
41-3030.27.
Office of homeless services; termination July 1, 2030
A. The office of homeless services
terminates on July 1, 2030.
B. Title 41, chapter 37, article 6
and this section are repealed on January 1, 2031.
END_STATUTE
Sec. 2. Title 41, chapter 37, Arizona Revised
Statutes, is amended by adding article 6, to read:
ARTICLE
6. Office of HOMELESS SERVICEs
START_STATUTE
41-4101.
Definitions
in this article, unless the context otherwise
requires:
1. "Board" means the
arizona homeless services board.
2. "Continuum of care
organization" means a regional or local planning body designated by the
united states department of housing and urban development.
3. "director" means the
director of the Office.
4. "Executive committee"
means the EXECUTIVE committee of the board.
5. "Homeless management
information system" means an information technology system that:
(
a
) is used to
collect client data and data on housing and services provided to homeless
INDIVIDUALS and INDIVIDUALS at risk of homelessness in this state.
(
b
) Meets the
requirements of the united states department of housing and urban DEVELOPMENT.
6. "Homeless services
budget" means the annual budget and overview of all homeless services
available in this state pursuant to section 41-4103.
7. "Office" means the
Office of homeless services.
8. "Service provider" means
an agency in this state or a city, town or county or private organization in
this state that provides services to INDIVIDUALs WHO are EXPERIENCING
HOMELESSNESS IN THIS STATE OR who are AT RISK OF BECOMING HOMELESS.
END_STATUTE
START_STATUTE
41-4102.
Office of homeless services
; director; powers and duties
A. The office of homeless services is
established.� The office shall
direct homeless services
in the state.
B. The governor shall appoint the
director pursuant to section 38-211. The director is eligible to receive
compensation pursuant to section 38-611. The office may employ
clerical, professional and technical personnel subject to chapter 4, article 4
of this title and shall prescribe their duties and determine their compensation
pursuant to section 38-611.
C. The office shall:
1.
direct
homeless services in this state.
2. Manage
and
maintain, along with
coordinating and sharing data with
continuum of care organizations approved by the united states department of
housing and urban development, a homeless management information system
or any other data system in THis state that does all of the following:
(
a
)
Collects and Shares data
from and with service
providers
, law enforcement agencies and agencies that
address housing, social, welfare, workforce and health services in this state
regarding INDIVIDUALs WHO are EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN THIS STATE OR WHO
are AT RISK OF BECOMING HOMELESS.
(
b
) Reports
financial, program and outcome data to determine efficacy and oversight in
reducing the number of homeless individuals and families in this state.
D. The office may Apply for federal
grants, loans and any other federal programs to provide monies for the office
and to address homelessness in this state.
END_STATUTE
START_STATUTE
41-4103.
Director; powers and duties; annual report
A. The Director shall:
1. In Cooperation with the board,
develop and maintain an annual HOMELESS SERVICES BUDGET and overview of all
homeless services AVAILABLE to residents in this state.
2. oversee monies provided for
homeless services in this state.
3. provide administrative support to
the board and serve as a member of the board.
4. at the governor's request, report
directly to the governor on issues regarding homelessness in this state.
5. report to the president of the
Senate and the speaker of the House of Representatives at least twice each year
on issues regarding homelessness in this state and any RECOMMENdations for
improvement.
6. ensure that the
annual homeless services budget
pursuant to this
section includes an overview
, oversight and coordination
plan for all funding sources for homeless services in this state, including
from agencies in this state, continuum of care organizations, housing
authorities, local governments, federal sources and private organizations.
7.
Determine
specific goals and measurable benchmarks for
reducing
homelessness
, especially unsheltered homelessness, in
this state and coordinating
and integrating services for
individuals experiencing homelessness among
agencies in
this state and all service providers in this state.
8.
Provide
OVERSIGHT to ensure the services are provided in
an
effective, safe, cost-effective and efficient manner
and to accomplish this state's goals and benchmarks.
9.
Implement
innovative strategies and priorities and PROVIDE accountability and oversight
to all recipients of federal, state and local homelessness assistance funding.
10. Oversee the use of electronic
databases and improved data sharing among all service providers in the state.
11. employ
an ombudsman to assist with the duties of the office
.
the
ombudsman shall
provide information to and
Assist qualified
property owners in this state
with applying for a refund
pursuant
to
section
42
-
17451
.
12. Conduct an analysis and review of
State, federal and local programs that address homelessness, including
PROVIDING housing and shelter, integration of treatment for serious mental
illnesses and substance use disorders, addiction recovery, public safety
programs and workforce and self-sufficiency programs.
13. Prepare a statewide strategic
plan for reducing the number of people experiencing homelessness, especially
unsheltered homelessness, in this state.
B. In
providing
finANCIAL OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY pursuant to this section, the director
shall Prioritize the funding of programs and providers that have a documented
history of successfully doing any of the following:
1. reducing the number of individuals
experiencing homelessness in this state.
2. reducing the
NUMBER OF UNSHELTERED HOMELESSness.
3. increasing the number of homeless
individuals with serious mental illness or substance use disorders receiving
treatment, including those subject to orders for involuntary treatment.
4. increasing earned income among
program participants.
5. improving public safety by
reducing calls for services, arrests and citizen complaints.
C. On or before October 1, 2027 and
each year thereafter, the director shall submit a report to Arizona department
of housing for inclusion in the department's annual written report. The report
shall include all of the following:
1. All information regarding the
homeless services budget.
2. A strategic plan on how to
ADEQUATELY address homelessness in this state.
3. recommendations regarding
improvements to
directing and providing services to
individuals experiencing homelessness in this state.
4. in coordination with the board, a
complete accounting of the office's disbursement of monies during the previous
fiscal year from any grant program that is administered by the office.
5. An outcome report INDICATING the
results of the office's activities in ATTAINing the office's goals and
milestones.
END_STATUTE
START_STATUTE
41-4104.
Arizona homeless services board; membership; powers and duties;
executive committee; annual report
A. The arizona homeless services
BOARD is established and CONSISTS of the following members:
1. A member who is appointed by the
president of the senate.
2. A member who is appointed by the
speaker of the house of representatives.
3. A REPRESENTATIVE of the private
sector who has knowledge REGARDING homelessness in this state and who is
appointed by the governor.
4. The director or the director's
designee.
5. a statewide philanthropic leader
who is appointed by governor, based on the RECOMMENDATION of an organization
that helps support nonprofit organizations in this state.
6. an individual who experienced
homelessness and who is appointed by the
Speaker of the
house of representatives.
7. A representative of a nonprofit
organization that represents all of the county officials in this state and who
is appointed by the
President of the senate.
B. Members of the board, except for
the director
, shall serve four-year terms, and when
a vacancy occurs, the replacement is appointed for the unexpired term in the
same manner as the initial appointment.
C. The BOARD shall select a
chairperson and vice chairperson from among its membership.
D. The board shall elect from its own
membership a four-member executive committee.
E. The BOARD shall meet QUARTERLY or
at the call of the chairperson.� The chairperson shall provide notice of the
meeting to the members at least three calendar days before the meeting.
F. A majority of the members of the
board constitutes a quorum of the board at any meeting, and the action of the
majority of members present constitutes the action of the board.
G. Members of the board are not
eligible to receive compensation but are eligible for reimbursement of expenses
pursuant to title 38, chapter 4, article 2.
H. The office shall provide staff and
administrative support to the board.
I. Members of the board may serve
more than one term.
J. The board shall:
1. review local and regional plans
and directions for providing services to individuals experiencing
homelessness
and reducing the number of homeless
INDIVIDUALS and families in this state.
2. cooperate with municipalities in
this state to do all of the following:
(
a
) develop
milestones and metrics for reducing homelessness
,
especially unsheltered homelessness, in each municipality's respective region.
(
b
) develop a
spending plan that
administers and provides oversight and
accountability for the funding supplied to local stakeholders.
(
c
)
Determine outcomes and
set targets to address
specific needs in each community.
3.
Implement
performance and accountability
measures for service providers, including the support of collecting consistent
and transparent data.
4.
regularly update the strategic plan on homelessness
pursuant to section 41-4103 to reflect trends in homelessness
and outcomes
as identified by the review of local data and PERFORMANCE and accountability
metrics.
5.
set annual state and local goals for reducing
homelessness among the target populations identified by the board.
6.
make recommendations for strategies to reduce illegal
drug use within homeless shelters, transitional housing and permanent
supportive housing in this state.
7.
facilitate connections to alternative support systems,
including behavioral health services, addiction recovery and residential
services for INDIVIDUALs WHO are EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN THIS STATE OR
INDIVIDUALs WHO are AT RISK OF BECOMING HOMELESS.
8.
Require
participation in
the
HOMELESS
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM
and other state data
systems
and
require
data
sharing agreements among all participants, including homeless services,
physical health systems, mental health systems and the criminal justice system.
9.
work with the director, the Department of Health
Services and the state Department of Corrections
to
reduce RECIDIVISM and returns to homelessness
.
10.
establish rules and standards for beds located in
homeless shelters in this state, including assigning priority to INDIVIDUALS
discharged from the Arizona state hospital.
K.
The executive committee pursuant to this section shall
act in an advisory capacity for the board and make recommendations regarding
the board's duties.
L.
The executive committee does not have authority to make
decisions independent of THE BOARD.
M.
On or before december 31, 2027 and each year thereafter,
the board shall submit an annual report to the governor, the PRESIDENT of the
senate and the speaker of the house of REPRESENTATIVES that includes
all of the following:
1. the state's year-to-date
progress toward
achieving the office's milestones, goals
and metrics, including:
(
a
) the
reduction in the number of unsheltered homeless in this state.
(
b
) the
increase in the number of homeless individuals enrolled or ordered into
treatment.
(
c
) The
increased earnings of participants of federally, state and locally funded
programs.
2. The number of individuals served
and the number of individuals returning for services.
3. The number of individuals with
outstanding warrants.
4. The number of homeless sex
offenders.
5. The number of illegal ENCAMPMENTS.
END_STATUTE
Sec. 3.
Initial terms of
the members of the Arizona homeless services board
A. Notwithstanding section
41-4104, Arizona Revised Statutes, as added by this act, the initial terms of
board members who are appointed pursuant to section 41-4104, subsection A,
Arizona Revised Statutes, as added by this act, are:
1. Two terms ending January
1, 2030.
2. Two terms ending January
1, 2031.
3. Two terms ending January
1, 2032.
B. All subsequent
appointments shall be made as prescribed by law.
Sec. 4.
Purpose
Pursuant to section 41-2955,
subsection E, Arizona Revised Statutes, the legislature establishes the office
of homeless services to
direct
homeless services in this state.