Tempe, AZ — Over 100 individuals, many with children, were evicted from a Motel 6 near Priest Drive after the nonprofit AZ Hugs could not pay its outstanding rent. The organization, which relies on daily donations to place homeless families in temporary motel rooms, typically raises between $7,000 and $9,000 a day, according to founder Austin Davis.
Backlog of unpaid rent forces families out
For weeks, families supported by AZ Hugs had been staying at the motel. Management said the nonprofit owed more than $10,000 in back rent, while the City of Tempe reported the unpaid balance exceeded $20,000. With the bill unpaid, the motel required the families to leave.
Volunteers and city outreach step in
On Monday, families gathered at Jaycee Park near University Drive and Roosevelt Street while Davis and volunteers searched for available motel rooms. “We’ve been picking up the family from a hotel to bring them here so we can figure out what we’re going to do with them tonight,” volunteer Robin Lippincott said.
Angelica Reyes, who is pregnant, described how her family was evicted after her husband lost his job and their rent rose. “I don’t want this for my kids. I feel like a failure almost,” she said, adding that she has also been placed on a city waiting list for assistance.
City’s HOPE team working with families
Tempe’s HOPE homeless outreach team has been engaged with families since mid‑October, connecting roughly 50 families to resources. The team helps families enroll or re‑enroll with the Family Housing Hub to prepare for emergency shelter openings and links them to other services. Some families declined services on Monday.
The city estimates that about 85 families have been brought to the Motel 6 by AZ Hugs since early October, many of whom arrived in Tempe after experiencing homelessness elsewhere. The added demand has stretched the city’s resources.
Request for state funding
Davis is urging city leaders to seek state assistance for temporary shelter. “What we’re asking of the mayor is to request assistance from the state, not to fund AZ Hugs, but $200,000 for the city of Tempe to use to shelter our families for 30 days,” he said.
The city confirmed the request but noted it cannot legally award that amount to a single agency without an open bid, and there is no guarantee AZ Hugs would receive a contract. Tempe provides $1.1 million in annual grants to nonprofits, yet AZ Hugs has not applied for those grants or the $16 million in available state funding, to the city’s knowledge.
How families can get help
Families seeking assistance can call Tempe’s 24‑hour CARE & HOPE Line at 480‑350‑8004.
AZ Hugs continues to rely on community donations to keep families off the streets while city officials explore longer‑term solutions.
Original reporting: azfamily KTVK/KPHO Phoenix (news) — read the source article.
