An emergency homeless shelter for seniors

The Haven is a new emergency shelter for seniors experiencing homelessness. It was created by Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS). The 130-unit facility, transformed from a former Phoenix Inn, is reimagined to feel like a residential community for aging and medically at-risk individuals.

The Haven offers a safe, supportive and community-like environment for up to 170 older adults aged 55 and above who are aging or medically at-risk. The Haven also provides other services including case management and dementia screenings.

Nathan Smith, CEO of CASS, joined “Arizona Horizon” to talk about the new emergency shelter in Phoenix.

The Haven allows around 90-day stays, Smith said that number can vary due to the medical conditions caused by individuals being unsheltered for a long period of time at an old age.

“People who come to us again, very medical vulnerable, often COPD, heart disease, behaviorally vulnerable with things like PTSD,” Smith said.

He referred to a term called “wrap-around supports” which include anything that improves the quality of life. That includes medical support, legal issues and pet support, such as medication for their animals.

The goal of having the temporary facility is to resolve those issues and similar to those that causes individuals to experience homelessness. The Haven has partnered with the Federally Qualified Health Center and Circle of the City. In order to resolve medical issues successfully, the shelter allows stay extensions.

The Haven facility previously was Phoenix Inn, Smith said the transformation was challenging, expensive and takes a long time to acquire. He also said the organization had to learn a lot about the unknown problems to the infrastructure of the building and hopes the future goes smoother for others.

“I think we can do it in a way more efficient than we did, but glad to be the guinea pigs,” Smith said.

To learn more about CASS and The Haven, their website is cassaz.org.