Tucson braces for rise in homelessness as migrant funds run out

DOUGLAS, Ariz. (NewsNation) — Tucson is preparing for a potential surge in homelessness as federal funds to help house migrants dwindle.

One of the busiest sectors of the U.S.-Mexico border could soon see a crisis of its own as federal funding meant to help house migrants in Tucson is expected to dry up. That would mean shelters could close and force hundreds of migrants onto the streets.

Local leaders told NewsNation that they’re between a rock and a hard place: They want to help migrants who have been processed and released by Border Patrol because they have no intention of staying in these border communities and they’re working to get closer to the final destination.

Documents obtained by NewsNation show county officials were informed only a few days ago that the funding from the federal government is going to come to an end on March 31, with no plan on how to mitigate the fallout.

The Tucson Sector‘s busiest migrant shelter Casa Alitas is going to have around 30 employees laid off, and people living in the area will likely start seeing agents releasing up to around 400 migrants who have been processed and released onto the streets every day without any means of support.

If that funding runs out, the one church in nearby Douglas, Arizona, that is assisting will inevitably be overrun. Some living behind the church say they’re concerned what will happen if desperation sets in when people have nowhere to go. Others working at the church told NewsNation they’re confident that that money will be found and they will be able to keep caring for individuals and helping them reach their final destinations in the U.S.

U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., is expected to be in the Douglas-Tucson area on Wednesday to speak with local lawmakers and leaders about solutions moving forward.