UPDATED HOMELESS (INCLUDING THE INVISIBLE POPULATION) STATISTICS IN ARIZONA

When Scully Learning Center Foundation (SLCF) started raising funds to build Preserving Families Home in 2023, there were approximately 33,056 intellectually and Developmentally Disabled adults living with aging caregivers (over age 60) facing future homelessness in Arizona. They are known as the “Invisible Population” within the overall homeless crisis plaguing our nation and state. An updated study on homelessness completed in 2024 found the risk of homelessness within the I/DD population increased by 3%. Directly, the Invisible Population has increased by 991 individuals to 34,048 since 2020. While this updated study reflects improvement in the larger homeless population, for example, improvement in the homeless Veteran population, it found that homelessness and/or the future risk of homelessness among I/DD adults has grown. To make matters worse, cuts to the Federal Budget, specifically Medicare, which directly funds services and supports (including housing) for I/DD adults, are estimated to increase by $33 billion over the next 10-years, further increasing homelessness and/or the risk of homelessness of Arizona’s invisible population.

DOING OUR PART TO HELP

Since the launch of our fundraising efforts to raise money to build Preserving Families Home, SLCF’s solution to the I/DD housing crisis, we have raised over $600,000.00. We are proud of our efforts and grateful for our community donors and supporters. That said, we have a LONG way to go before making our dream a reality. To continue our fundraising efforts, SLCF, in collaboration with Caring Corps, Foothills Food Bank, and The Holland Center, will host “Dancing with the Desert Stars” on September 19, 2026, at Spirit of the Desert (6 PM – 9 PM). It will be a Cowboy Chic evening with a Dancing with Celebrities competition, heavy hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, a live band, line dancing, exciting auction items, and much more. Please continue to support our mission as well as the missions of our partners and join us in September. Tickets
are available on our website and can be purchased by clicking HERE.

Thank you for your unwavering support. We are grateful and would not be able to make our dream a reality without you.

With gratitude,
Scully Learning Center Foundation

To learn more, get involved, or donate, contact us!