Phoenix New Times | The Leading Independent News Source in Phoenix, Arizona

Tempe City Council to reconsider divisive ordinance it passed in July

By TJ L'Heureux

Aug 27, 2025

The council will weigh repealing the new ordinance, which critics say cracks down on groups that help the homeless.

a woman watches another woman sign a form as a man holds an umbrella over both on a sunny day

Measure to repeal divisive Tempe parks ordinance heads to ballot

By TJ L'Heureux

Aug 21, 2025

Opponents of the new ordinance, which they say cracks down on mutual aid events, gathered enough valid signatures.

Tempe cop: Chief gave city officials data to harass homeless advocates

By TJ L'Heureux

Aug 8, 2025

A police commander says Chief Kenneth McCoy improperly gave city brass sensitive info to hound people feeding the unhoused.

a young man in a backward hat that says "sharing food is not a crime"

Tempe threw a homeless advocate in jail for filming cops

By TJ L'Heureux

Aug 7, 2025

Seemingly recognizing that its cops had screwed up, Tempe later dropped the charges against unhoused advocate Austin Davis.

Pregnant woman says Mesa shelter kicked out her family on short notice

By TJ L'Heureux

Jul 25, 2025

The La Mesita shelter has shifting explanations for why it asked Jacquelyne Rubio’s family to leave.

Tempe mayor defends fast-tracked change to divisive parks ordinance

By TJ L'Heureux

Jul 14, 2025

Corey Woods said Tempe quickly passed controversial public gathering rules due to an ongoing court case. Others call B.S.

protesters hold signs in front of tempe city hall

Activists push petition to repeal divisive Tempe parks ordinance

By TJ L'Heureux

Jul 9, 2025

Critics say the ordinance targets groups helping the unhoused. They now hope to put a repeal measure before voters.

After hours of backlash, Tempe OKs controversial new parks ordinance

By TJ L'Heureux

Jul 2, 2025

A city council meeting lasted until 1 a.m. as residents spoke against an ordinance that may limit groups aiding the homeless.

Activists rally in support of a right-to-counsel program in Phoenix.

How a Phoenix right-to-counsel program could combat eviction crisis

By Morgan Fischer

Jul 2, 2025

Only 0.2% of Valley tenants in eviction court have lawyers. A Phoenix right-to-counsel program could save homes and millions.

Tempe threatens to fine group providing showers to unhoused people

By TJ L'Heureux

Jul 1, 2025

Cloud Covered Streets uses a trailer to provide showers for homeless people. Tempe threatened to fine the group $1,500.

A man in a rain poncho stands on a street.

The Valley’s homeless population went up again. It may get even worse

By TJ L'Heureux

Jun 3, 2025

The annual Point in Time count found 9,734 unhoused people in the Valley, and a dramatic spike in those without any shelter.

a woman in a t-shirt that has a picture of her dead son

3 years after cops let her son drown, Tempe woman demands city do more

By TJ L'Heureux

May 29, 2025

Sean Bickings drowned in Tempe Town Lake in 2022 as two police officers watched. His mom wants more safety measures.

a man holds up a sheet of paper surrounded by other people

Tempe drops charge against man it cited for feeding the homeless

By TJ L'Heureux

May 13, 2025

After a year of ramped-up enforcement against the unhoused and people who help them, is Tempe changing its tune?

Tempe sued for targeting residents who feed homeless people

By TJ L'Heureux

Apr 16, 2025

Tempe has cracked down on advocates who host picnics for unhoused people in city parks. Now, those advocates are suing.

A man under a glaring sun pours water over his head out of a jug.

Phoenix pats its own back after 2nd-most heat deaths in Valley history

By TJ L'Heureux

Mar 18, 2025

After gearing up to combat the heat, Phoenix officials took credit for a drop in heat deaths — a small one, from 645 to 602.

Tempe residents angry about planned Victory Acres unhoused shelter

By Noah Cullen

Feb 18, 2025

Residents say their working-class neighborhood is being picked on. Homeless advocates say Tempe needs shelter services.

a man holding a cardboard sign near a road

GOP lawmaker’s bill would ban unhoused people from traffic medians

By TJ L'Heureux

Jan 3, 2025

State Sen. John Kavanagh wants to bar pedestrians from medians. Critics note that it would further criminalize homelessness.

Homeless people live in tents along Madison Street

Tempe says it will crack down on unhoused people, worrying advocates

By TJ L'Heureux

Dec 4, 2024

The city will “implement strict enforcement” of its urban camping ban, which advocates say will only make homelessness worse.

a young man in glasses with his blond hair up in a bun

Tempe homeless advocate barred from parks into 2026 after October arrest

By TJ L'Heureux

Nov 20, 2024

Austin Davis and Tempe have been crosswise all year over his efforts to feed and aid the unhoused near city parks.

a shipping container retrofitted to be a dwelling

Nonprofit close to opening shipping container housing in Glendale

By Morgan Fischer

Nov 15, 2024

The nonprofit Family Promise is close to finishing six shipping container transitional housing units on a local church lot.

Homelessness

Tempe repeals controversial parks ordinance

‘Security concerns’ postpone Tempe City Council vote

Homelessness

Tempe repeals controversial parks ordinance

‘Security concerns’ postpone Tempe City Council vote

Newsletter Sign Up

Enter your name, zip code, and email