[{"_1":2,"_86":-5,"_87":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6677986,"mediaKeyId","2165660-be9e733fe00d07103f93c17c54ac03e6","parentId",2165660,"title","Sedona Council Holds Regional Homelessness Work Session, Seeks Resource Mapping and Next Steps","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",1884590,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165660-be9e733fe00d07103f93c17c54ac03e6&start=1884&end=1884","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165660-be9e733fe00d07103f93c17c54ac03e6/thumbnail_1884590.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6677986/Sedona/Yavapai-County/Arizona/Sedona-Council-Holds-Regional-Homelessness-Work-Session-Seeks-Resource-Mapping-and-Next-Steps","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6677986-f12c385010eaf574c1283c9a65d5b14b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770434523&Signature=nDg87WAOUJy6FyA0umiocY~JZR1PvhnpUxjNldJgL21ZN3Ts5VyETZgSAU-Xnmg924BMSFUqMCBk4alDu6fPJsEzvOUj-2QjvHh-YN4VLBMXL5CJVgoR1jRNa9GOCMqoUGEMFB28QlvB8tcO4vTGj8tdFVPpZNw2K5yp0R-uG5GYGUpjVYC2PPJUJ0asti7I-7rxGx8P~Omz0lNFjpQD1~LCI6c6J~66JSX1SmZTP5E10Zvz49qZ~p22GC8Z2ZUk8eMjUVYkjeALWP8zLwbLebmY41pchumevyTgdhDB4ckT2zdEDCEy77MixLTSS1gmafgznoiw0jh4g6~BxW5jEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Sedona","date","2025-01-29T00:00:00Z","article","City council held an extended work session on developing a strategic plan to address homelessness in Sedona and the Verde Valley, hearing presentations from consultants, state housing officials, Catholic Charities, health care providers, law enforcement and other local stakeholders.

Consultants from VM Advising summarized a needs assessment that estimates roughly 600 unique individuals experience homelessness in the Verde Valley annually. The consultants described three utilization cohorts: transitional homelessness (about 360 people annually, typically short‑term and triggered by a one‑time crisis), episodic homelessness (about 180 people, multiple spells and longer stays) and chronic homelessness (about 60 people, long‑term needs requiring intensive services). The presentation emphasized that each group requires a different mix of responses — basic crisis intervention and service navigation for transitional cases, housing‑focused case management for episodic cases, and permanent supportive housing paired with long‑term services for chronic cases.

Cammie Rasband of Catholic Charities explained the role of coordinated entry, the Local Coalition to End Homelessness (LCEH) and HMIS (the Homeless Management Information System). David Bridge, special needs administrator with the Arizona Department of Housing, described funding streams the state can provide, including HUD Continuum of Care funds, Emergency Solutions Grants, development funds and the state housing trust fund; he noted Sedona has an active but paused application to the Homeless Shelter and Services Fund that remains available. Arizona Complete Health and Spectrum Healthcare outlined crisis response options, including a statewide crisis line and locally based mobile crisis teams. The U.S. Forest Service and local law enforcement discussed impacts and limits: forest closures have shifted off‑road camping patterns and officers emphasized the need for a single point of referral and local follow‑up capacity.

Multiple direct‑service organizations described existing local activity: Saint Vincent de Paul operates rental assistance making up about half its budget and serves roughly 15–20 clients per month in Sedona; the Sedona Community Food Bank reported 364 unique homeless clients in 2024; Palara Health, Spectrum and Arizona Complete Health described crisis stabilization, mobile crisis and behavioral health services. Cottonwood police and other law enforcement representatives described outreach officer programs that combine enforcement, case management and alternatives to jail; those programs also rely on prosecutor and court cooperation to provide diversion and deferred prosecution and were cited as a local model councilors wanted to study.

Council discussion at the end of the session focused on a practical next step: consultants were asked about a resource mapping exercise that would inventory current services, geographic coverage, provider capacity and funding sources and identify gaps. Council members signaled support for staff to pursue a scope and cost for that mapping and related strategy work and to bring a proposal back for consideration; the city manager said staff would work with the consultants to prepare a proposed scope and schedule for council review. Several councilors also urged coordination with neighboring jurisdictions and Yavapai County and emphasized the need for fast start actions — for example, adding a police outreach/resource officer position — that could be considered in the budget process. No formal vote was taken on a strategic plan during the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Sedona - City Council - Jan 29, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A council work session convened regional partners, Catholic Charities, Arizona Department of Housing and service providers to discuss a strategic, regionally coordinated homelessness response; council directed staff to pursue resource mapping and return with a proposed scope and budget for further planning.","taxTitle","Sedona, Yavapai County, Arizona","taxId",54295,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6677990,"Sedona Council OKs $15,000 Grant to Catholic Charities for Cold‑Weather Hotel Program",1795,68660,1864540,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165660-be9e733fe00d07103f93c17c54ac03e6&start=68&end=1864","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165660-be9e733fe00d07103f93c17c54ac03e6/thumbnail_68660.jpg","/articles/6677990/Sedona/Yavapai-County/Arizona/Sedona-Council-OKs-15000-Grant-to-Catholic-Charities-for-ColdWeather-Hotel-Program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6677990-64aa7bebbc479e8b8b37b3ddcbf18c61/orig.mp4?Expires=1770434523&Signature=ZRATO4pNOsZvP3UgSqNZWTSUYfepkPHdp4DjRgEB6YAytFDNQy57gOsyguyuZ4K58KpyVgk6Fzp-MgZdP708hR9YE8UmVc5H1rcJhBmRZIgOqT0Xxj-Lmtv727aXzeC3a~UExoG64J5krjKJMr3bq1glR8qoipROqzQZtOiMAyJ91hNJjHBoRDY8N1rFgf4akqQgjpqn375J0GxRNfMbloLcXBxm-ysCI4XS4t3gYwvZHR2eHomI-JT~2gDmH-TYAOkxBIHVyIhgpZLQGY68FNAl3zaxaeoRwZL0d8-gF4yGWF0gEnIoP~NDwMNVqdXuyi1eKSnbR0aoIqpgYdlW8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sedona City Council voted unanimously to approve a $15,000 grant to Catholic Charities Community Services to manage an emergency cold‑weather overnight hotel program for people experiencing homelessness.

Council action came after a presentation by city housing staff and representatives of Catholic Charities and the Sedona Lodging Council that outlined roles, funding and operational safeguards for the program.

The program will operate when the Sedona Police Department determines cold or inclement weather triggers a response. Under the plan presented to council, police officers would identify people in need, complete a warm hand‑off with hotel management and transport the guest to the hotel. Catholic Charities would pay hotels directly under an agreed room rate and invoice the city monthly for reimbursement. Catholic Charities will enter participants into the coordinated entry system and the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and provide follow‑up and program updates to the city.

Jeanne (housing department staff) told council the city already has a budgetary set‑aside and expects to fund the program through a written funding agreement approved by the city attorney’s office. The contract term described in the presentation is three years; up to 30% of the funding may be used for allowable overhead, administrative costs, insurance and potential liabilities. Cheryl Baron of the Sedona Lodging Council told council properties willing to participate have discussed rates “between $130 and $150 a night.”

Cammie Rasband, director of homeless services for Catholic Charities Northern Arizona, said Catholic Charities will do the coordinated entry intake and follow‑up and that the organization has operated similar cold‑weather programs in Flagstaff and other counties. Deputy Chief Chris Dowell and other police officials told council the warm hand‑off model is intended to ensure consent, set expectations for hotel stays and give officers discretion to use the program when appropriate; they said officers would make on‑scene decisions about property and parking for people brought to hotels.

Councilor Fultz made the motion to approve the grant “pursuant to a written funding agreement approved by the city attorney’s office.” The motion was seconded and passed with all present council members saying “aye.” Vice Mayor Ploeg was noted as absent and excused during roll call.

Program managers said they expect to begin operations quickly if partners finalize hotel rates and program details; staff estimated the program could be operational within about three weeks to a month if partner coordination proceeds. City staff said additional funding requests could be brought back to council later if needed.

The council directed staff to finalize the written funding agreement with Catholic Charities and return any material contract terms for legal review and further council action as required.","The Sedona City Council approved a $15,000 grant to Catholic Charities to operate an emergency cold‑weather overnight hotel program for people experiencing homelessness; police will coordinate transports and Catholic Charities will enroll guests in coordinated entry and HMIS.","actionData","errors"]

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Sedona Council Holds Regional Homelessness Work Session, Seeks Resource Mapping and Next Steps

Sedona Council OKs $15,000 Grant to Catholic Charities for Cold‑Weather Hotel Program