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Phoenix (3TV/CBS 5) — The city of Phoenix is facing a major lawsuit for failing to reach out to its homeless residents at the so-called ‘Zone’ encampment between 7th and 15th streets and Van Buren and Grant Streets. “Our issue is not the homeless, our issue is the city of Phoenix,” said Debbie Filas, who owns the Old Station sub shop with her husband, Joe.
Old Station Sub Shop, a longtime sandwich restaurant, is now in ‘The Zone’. “The homeless crisis is out of control, there’s death, violence, prostitution, drugs,” Debbie said.
The suit features images of drug use, crime, garbage and even human defecation. As a result, residents and business owners say it has created a dangerous situation that could lead to loss of property values. The Faillace’s said they lost their business. “Some women say it’s okay to walk in this area, some men say they don’t feel safe in this area,” Joe said.
The lawsuit says the ‘zoning’ is a public nuisance, and if the judge agrees, it could force the city to take action, including moving the camp. Advocates want to make it clear that they don’t want to criminalize homelessness, but they do want the environment to be safe and clean. “There isn’t one solution,” city spokesman Marty Hams said. We need more affordable housing, not just in the city of Phoenix, we need shelter.
We reached out to city officials who said they have not yet reviewed the lawsuit, but noted that last fiscal year, the City Council authorized $50 million for homelessness prevention and another $70 million for social programs. But the city of Philos is falling dramatically, he said. They hope the lawsuit will change things. “It’s been two years and nothing has been done,” said Joe. “We need help.”
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