PHOENIX (AP) — More than 2,700 people are living on the streets of Maricopa County according to a recent homeless count.
The Maricopa Association of Governments said the numbers show a decrease of 6 percent from the year before.
Tempe Vice Mayor and MAG chairwoman Shana Ellis said the decrease in the number of homeless may be attributed to new local programs for chronically homeless people along with federal funding aimed at preventing homelessness.
MAG said the homeless count is part of a national effort to identify the number of individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
Of the 2,729 people counted as living on the streets, MAG said 236 are children under 18.
