Survey found seven homeless people in QC
It may surprise some Queen Creek residents that homeless people have been found in town.
But on Jan. 27, Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) volunteers interviewed seven unsheltered people in the town during their annual Point In Time (PIT) survey, although it provided no details about them.
Whether they were the same seven PIT survey volunteers found last year is unknown, but what is known is that they didn't live in a shelter because Queen Creek has none.
'There is not a shelter in the Town of Queen Creek. Based on the map provided by MAG, one individual was generally located near Ocotillo and Ironwood, and six individuals were generally located near Ocotillo and Ellsworth. MAG does not collect specific identifying information, so we are unable to confirm if they are the same unsheltered seven individuals noted in the 2024 PIT count,' said Constance Halonen-Wilson, the town's communications and marketing manager.
One thing is for certain: Queen Creek's homeless population bucked a county-wide trend in this year's PIT count, which showed the number of people either living on the street or in a shelter increased by 3% this year over last.
And the town's homeless population is miniscule, exceeding only a handful of the 25 cities and towns included in the PIT survey, along with unimported parts of Maricopa County.
And Queen Creek's homeless population is not even close to that of Phoenix, which saw a year-over-year increase of 1,000 for a total 3,781 this year.
In all, the PIT survey found 9,734 people experiencing homelessness in the county that day, with 53% living on the street. The total – a 3% year-over-year increase –included 539 families across the county 12% more than were found six years ago.
The PIT count offers a mere snapshot of people in Maricopa County without a permanent home and 'there are more people who experience homelessness over the course of a year than on any given night,' according to the Maricopa Association of Governments, which organizes it.
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Based on interviews in a one-day census in January, officials drew up this demographic overview of the homeless population.
But that snapshot provides 'an important source of data' and 'helps to inform communities on the number of people who access emergency shelters or transitional housing, as well as those who are sleeping in places not meant for habitation,' it says.
Comparing what it found in 2019, the PIT census this year saw a slight increase in the number of people 18-24 years old without a home (555), a 3% decrease in veterans (462) and a 109% increase in chronically homeless people.
Volunteers counted 1,208 mentally ill people, 1,294 addicts and alcoholics and 626 victims of domestic violence among the homeless people they interviewed.
Officials estimated that the number of street people increased countywide by 28% this year over 2024 while there was a 16% decrease in the number who were living in shelters.
In a deep dive into the demographics of this year's PIT count, MAG reported that 37% were white, 24% Hispanic and 27% Black while 64% were males.
The largest age group from the count comprised adults 35-44, accounting for 23% of the 2025 PIT population, followed by adults 25-34 accounting for 20%.
Children up to 17 years old made up 12% of the total population interviewed by PIT volunteers, while those 18 to 24 comprised 7% and those over 65 made up 6%.
Officials attributed the overall increase in homelessness in the county represented in the PIT count as well as the increase in the number living on the street to the disappearance of federal pandemic funds.
Since the federal government began doling out hundreds of millions of dollars to states, counties and municipalities from 2020 to 2023, Phoenix and other cities used as that money as a major funding source for shelter and homeless services operations.
Now, those cities and towns are using other revenue sources to help.
No other municipality comes close to the cost Phoenix bears, which is around $26 million.
Ashley Patton, deputy communications director for Phoenix, said, '2024 was a banner year for shelter capacity in Maricopa County, where more beds were available than ever before.
'Unfortunately, between 2024 and 2025, the Maricopa County homeless services system lost more than 1,000 shelter beds which relied on temporary funding sources.'
'Homelessness is complex and requires regional support and coordination,' she added. 'We need federal, state and municipal partners to join us in investing in this critical need.'
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Newsweek
4 days ago
- Newsweek
Juneteenth History: How the Holiday Started and Evolved Over Time
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Juneteenth, the nation's most recent federal holiday, is celebrated by Americans on June 19 to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States and has a history going back to the 1860s. Why It Matters Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021 after President Joe Biden signed bipartisan legislation into law to officially make it a holiday. However, it has been celebrated by the African American community for more than 150 years and has been a holiday in Texas for decades. What To Know President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, declaring that "all persons held as slaves" within Confederate states "are, and henceforward shall be free." But many remained enslaved for years to come. The proclamation applied only to states in rebellion against the Union, and it would take a Civil War for that freedom to come to fruition in Confederate states. Juneteenth marks the date when Union soldiers arrived to Galveston, Texas, to officially declare slaves in the state as being free. General Gordon Granger issued General Order No. 3 on June 19, 1865, freeing the state's slaves. "The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor," the order reads. June 19 emerged as a celebratory day for African Americans in Texas, as Juneteenth celebrations followed the next year and have continued to this day, though the holiday has seen some changes over the years. Leslie Wilson, associate dean of Montclair University's College of Humanities and Social Sciences, told Newsweek that the Emancipation Proclamation was a "tool" Lincoln used, essentially telling Confederate states slaves would be freed if they do not stop fighting the Union. Most southern states did not pay attention to the order. As Union troops took control of each state, they would declare slavery as over under the proclamation. Photo-illustration by Newsweek/Getty/Canva That means each southern state has its own Emancipation Day when slavery ended, but Juneteenth is celebrated because it was the last of those days, Wilson said. Other states did not popularize their Emancipation Day as Texans, who held large celebrations that spread across the country over the next century. People in Texas celebrated with large picnics and dressed up for the events, serving foods like Red Velvet Cake—a symbol of resilience—Wilson said. Daryl Heller, director of the Civil Rights Heritage Center at Indiana University, told Newsweek it is important to celebrate Juneteenth as the nation has still not "fully grappled with how significant slavery is" to its history. "Juneteenth is a reminder that the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 did not free all the slaves, all the people who were enslaved, and even the end of the Civil didn't guarantee freedom for everyone," he said. Even Juneteenth did not mark the end of slavery in every state. That would come on December 6, 1865, when the 13th Amendment passed, he said. Years of reconstruction would follow as former slaves and their families worked to reunite, establish political power in the United States and build new lives. But it would still be another century before Black Americans were guaranteed full rights and treated as equal citizens under the U.S. Constitution. Heller said people can have meaningful dialogues and "real discussions about the history of this country" this year to celebrate Juneteenth. "Looking under the surface and going deeper to try to understand not just the day itself, but what produced the day and what was the aftermath of it, I think is a really, really important part of the celebration itself," he said. Juneteenth is about "Black resilience," Wilson said. "Black people across the nation will celebrate it whether or not it is a federal or state holiday. African American history has already demonstrated the strength of the holiday and the conviction of its followers. People like Opal Lee did a great deal to expand knowledge of Juneteenth and to convey its importance to black and white communities," he said. Juneteenth Celebrations Extend Across the U.S. Juneteenth grew from a local Texas holiday to a "western regional holiday" by 1910, he said. By the early 1960s, the celebration became popular in cities like New Orleans, Tulsa, Oakland, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Denver. Communities on the East Coast began to have a "deeper connection" with the holiday during the Civil Rights and Black Power Movement, Wilson said. Different understandings had emerged about the end of slavery. In the North, many were taught that it ended with the Emancipation Proclamation, but those in the South learned slavery only ended when slaves were freed state-by-state by Union troops, he said. "When people from Texas starting moving acrsos the country in the late 1800s and into the 1900s, they were celebrating Juneteenth because it had been memorialized in their minds. People in different states said, 'Oh, I never know about this.' They would say 'How did you not know about this,' and it became very popular," he said. On the East Coast, some were initially skeptical after learning in school that slaves were freed after the Emancipation Proclamation, he said. "In the 20th century, as more and more people moved across the country and bringing their cultures and their customs with them, then Juneteenth became more popular outside of Texas, and it had become more popular in urban centers where African-Americans had migrated," he said. Juneteenth celebrations became "acts of resistance" during the Jim Crow era, Portia Hopkins, a historian at Rice University, told Newsweek. Those gatherings sustained "cultural memory when Black freedom remained under siege," she said. They were organized locally and situated within Black community centers and churches. Wilson said the understanding of Juneteenth was "widespread throughout the nation in African American communities" by the time it became a state holiday in Texas in 1980. "It took another 20 years for white America to begin its recognition of Juneteenth and another 10 after that for commercial interests to promote the holiday," he said. The holiday can "remind African Americans of the shortcomings of American politics and society and encourage them that they again need to fight for the rights that they are "promised by the constitution," according to Wilson. Juneteenth Became Federal Holiday in 2021 The efforts to make Juneteenth a national holiday gained traction after "the murder of George Floyd in 2020 and the national reckoning it sparked," Hopkins said. "In 2021, Juneteenth became a federal holiday, making it the first new national holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 1983. That recognition is deeply symbolic because it affirms that Black history is American history and that the story of freedom is more complicated—and more honest—when it includes the voices of those for whom it was long withheld," she said. The holiday is being "celebrated amid a complex social and cultural American landscape" in 2025, Hopkins said, noting the recent renaming of military bases after Confederate leaders and rollbacks of DEI initiatives. "Nevertheless, Juneteenth celebrations continue to be vibrant, meaningful and optimistic about the future because, in essence, that was at the heart of the celebration within its original context in the first place," she said. Onwubiko Agozino, professor of sociology at Virginia Tech University, told Newsweek he believes Juneteenth is a day to come out against slavery, which still exists in the world, and a reminder of why the U.S. should "value diversity." A Juneteenth flag is displayed in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 2024. A Juneteenth flag is displayed in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 2024. MARK FELIX/AFP via Getty Images "Part of the reason why America is America the beautiful is because of the diversity that benefits everybody," he said. "It's also in Constitution, in the 14th Amendment,. And in the Preamble of the Constitution, it says 'We the people.' Not 'We the white men.'" What People Are Saying Leslie Wilson, associate dean of Montclair University's College of Humanities and Social Sciences, told Newsweek: "Juneteenth is a confusing holiday because it weakens the idea that the Emancipation Proclamation 'freed' the enslaved, that the 13th Amendment ended slavery, or that the surrender of General Lee brought an end to the Civil War and slavery. It suggests that what most kids have learned in school is not entirely correct. And the story of Juneteenth and the myth of Juneteenth are equally confusing. General Granger read a proclamation that said that the enslaved were free, but Union troops did not go throughout the area ensuring that all were free. The reading of the document also still ties the bondsmen and women to picking cotton for the Union (because there was a need to maintain trade to cover the national debt). In essence, African Americans see the holiday as their self-liberation from the underwhelming promises of American freedom. By and large, many of the enslaved used the proclamation to free themselves and create new lives by running away from Texas plantations, finding loved ones, and building new societies." President Joe Biden, in a June 2024 statement: "One of my proudest moments as President was signing into law Juneteenth as a new Federal holiday—the first Federal holiday to be established since Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day four decades prior. Juneteenth is an acknowledgment of the truth of our Nation's history. It is about realizing the idea that America was founded on: All people are created equal and deserve to be treated equally throughout their lives."
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Yahoo
Blue Ridge Point in Time Report shows slight decrease in people experiencing homelessness
ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) – It's a problem most cities deal with: homelessness. The Roanoke Valley is no exception. To put the problem into perspective, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development requires regional groups, like the Blue Ridge Continuum of Care to perform a Point in Time count twice a year. According to the Point in Time count, for the first time since 2023, the number of people experiencing homelessness in the Roanoke Valley is decreasing. The count shows the number of people experiencing homelessness during January 2025 was 389. That's down from the Winter 2024 count, which was 409. 'The overall decrease was about 3% or 3.2% over 2024, over our winter count last year. A modest decrease and I think maybe a stabilization post-pandemic. 24 and 23 we really saw significant spikes with eviction protections expiring after the pandemic ended,' said Roanoke Human Services Administrator, Matt Crookshank. Crookshank is the Human Services Administrator for the City of Roanoke and works with the Blue Ridge Continuum of Care. New report shows homelessness in Roanoke Valley is up 20% from 2023 The Point in Time count also looks at trends among people experiencing homelessness, like the number of people considered unsheltered, or sleeping outside. 'Unsheltered numbers went down a little bit, about 8%. But we did have a cold weather shelter at a church in the southeast that stood up this year. So if we included those people, who are typically outside, we would have seen an increase in those unsheltered numbers,' said Crookshank. Belmont Presbyterian opened their doors this Winter at first as a warming shelter during the day, but quickly saw the need to stay open overnight. 'Well, we really started it up as a day thing,' said Pastor Todd Atkins. 'Then, I got a call from the hospital, Roanoke Memorial. They said, 'We've got a guy here, he doesn't have anywhere to go, and we heard y'all are a warming center,' said Atkins. 'I thought, 'Oh my gosh', maybe this is what we are supposed to do. So we did it. The one guy came. It was for one guy from the hospital. And then I got in my truck and drove around to see if there was anyone else on the streets. This is when it was like 20 degrees out. I found like four or five people. Then we opened it [the warming shelter] up and next thing we knew we had 50 to 60 people in here,' said Atkins. With the cold weather shelter at Belmont Presbyterian only being temporary, the 31 people who were spending the night there the night of the Point in Time count, are most likely back out on the street. '[We are] still seeing lots of folks outside, lots of chronically homeless folks with really severe underlying issues,' said Crookshank. 'Seems to be a greater count of people who are not only struggling with some of the things we always think about, like affordable housing, income, mental illness and addiction,' said Rescue Mission CEO, Lee Clark. 'But more people who are elderly experiencing being homeless for the first time that have those mobility challenges, physical health challenges, mental health challenges that come with us as we age.' Roanoke leaders weigh in on possible Supreme Court case impacts on homeless community The combination of these challenges led the Rescue Mission to create their Fralin Free Clinic Medical Street Outreach program. They've also partnered with RAM House to offer transportation to and from the two shelters. These changes are addressing immediate needs for the homeless population. The Rescue Mission is also working towards long-term solutions by building affordable housing units. The latest numbers show Roanoke is experiencing an over 3,000 unit deficit. 'We had land that was vacant, about four acres that sits right off of Elm Avenue, that sits adjacent here to the Rescue Mission. We thought, what will be good that is going to be positive for Southeast, good for the neighborhood, good for the people we serve,' said Clark. 'We partnered with a group for Homes for America. They have more than 30 years experience providing affordable housing. We are applying for low income housing tax credits. We are hopeful the application will get approved this month and we will get to start with the first building in 2026. All together there will be three buildings on the site, about 150 affordable housing units,' said Clark. Slowly, but surely, officials believe progress continues with the help of countless groups, like The Rescue Mission, RAM House, The Least of These Ministries and the recently approved Mayor's Hope and Home Task Force all working towards the same goal. 'It's encouraging but we know we still have lots of work to do,' said Crookshank. This year's second Point in Time count is scheduled to take place in July. Find the complete Winter 2025 report, here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Yahoo
Man Says He Somehow Survived Air India Plane Crash and Described the Tragedy from His Hospital Bed
One person has survived the fatal Air India plane crash that happened shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad on June 12, according to reports The individual has been identified in media reports as 40-year-old British national, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh Vishwash was reportedly returning home after visiting family in India with his 45-year-old brotherOne person has reportedly survived the Air India plane crash. The Ahmedabad Police commissioner has claimed that one person survived the Air India Flight AI171 crash on Thursday, June 12, according to India's News18, Asian News International (ANI) and The Hindustan Times (HT). The commissioner told ANI that the passenger was found in seat 11A and has been transported to a local hospital. Ahmedabad's commissioner, G.S. Malik previously said to the Associated Press that there appeared to be "no survivors in the plane crash.' He later told News18, a local outlet, "My earlier statement was misquoted." News 18 and HT have identified the survivor as 40-year-old British national, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh. 'One individual has been found alive,' the commissioner said, according to News18. 'He is currently undergoing treatment in hospital. Doctors are closely monitoring status.' Vishwash sustained 'impact injuries' to his chest, eyes and feet, according to News18 and HT. He was visiting family in India with his brother, Ajay Kumar Ramesh, 45, and was returning to the United Kingdom when the crash occurred. 'Thirty seconds after take-off, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed,' he told the outlet from his hospital bed. 'It all happened so quickly." There were 230 passengers and 12 crew members aboard flight AI171 when it crashed on Thursday, Air India CEO Campbell Wilson said in a statement shared on X. The plane, a Boeing 787-8, was 'traveling from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick' when it was 'involved in an accident after takeoff.' 'Of the passengers, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, there are seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national,' Wilson stated. He expressed 'deep sorrow about this event' on behalf of the airline. Injured passengers were 'taken by local authorities to the nearest hospitals,' according to Wilson. 'We are actively working with the authorities on all of the emergency response efforts,' the CEO stated. 'A special team of caregivers from Air India is on the way to Ahmedabad to provide additional support.' Wilson said Air India teams 'are working around the clock to support passengers, crew and their families as well as investigators however we can.' A helpline has been set up for friends and family members impacted by the crash at 1-800-569-1444. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 'This is a difficult day for all of us at Air India, and our efforts now are focused entirely on the needs of our passengers, crew members, their families and loved ones,' Wilson stated. He later added, 'We understand that people are eager for information. Please know that we will continue to share accurate and timely information as soon as we can. But anything we report must be accurate and not speculative. We owe that to everyone involved.' Read the original article on People
