Maricopa County Expands Homeless Youth Count to Reveal Hidden Need

New effort aims to better understand youth homelessness and remove barriers to services.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) is expanding its annual homeless count in Maricopa County, Arizona, with a focus on reaching and identifying young people experiencing homelessness. Advocates say many young people, including teenagers and young adults, often go unseen in traditional homeless counts as they may be staying temporarily with friends, moving from couch to couch, or avoiding shelters altogether. The expanded youth outreach is designed to capture a more accurate picture of youth homelessness in the region and guide funding and services to address this hidden population's needs.

Why it matters

Understanding the hidden nature of youth homelessness is critical to connecting young people with vital housing, education, and other support services. Removing barriers, such as allowing pets in shelters, can encourage more young people to accept help and begin moving toward stability.

The details

The expanded youth outreach effort is part of MAG's annual homeless count, with results expected in the spring. Experts say many young people experiencing homelessness do not live on the streets but instead stay temporarily with friends or avoid shelters altogether. Outreach workers note that some young people hesitate to accept shelter because they do not want to leave a beloved pet behind. Service providers say removing this barrier, such as through programs that allow people experiencing homelessness to keep their pets, can help more individuals feel safe and willing to seek support.

  • The annual homeless count in Maricopa County is underway, with expanded youth outreach.
  • Results from the expanded count are expected later this spring.

The players

Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG)

The regional planning agency for the Phoenix metropolitan area, leading the expanded homeless count effort.

St. Vincent de Paul's Companion Animal Program

A program that provides veterinary care, pet food, and supplies, allowing people experiencing homelessness to remain with their animals.

Keys to Change

The organization that manages Key Campus, a facility providing coordinated services including shelter access, housing navigation, employment support, and health resources.

Family Promise of Greater Phoenix

A nonprofit that helps families experiencing homelessness remain together with their animals while working toward housing stability.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This expanded youth homelessness count in Maricopa County is an important step toward better understanding and addressing the hidden nature of youth homelessness, including by removing barriers that prevent young people from accessing vital services and support.