12 News: Solari Crisis and Human Services, a Tempe-based non-profit organization, is asking Gov. Katie Hobbs and lawmakers for $3.5 million to keep the 2-1-1 crisis hotline in operation.
“2-1-1 is the Health and Human Services Hotline for all of Arizona, and we’re currently losing our funding. So, we’re in a position where if we don’t get $3.5 million, we’re going to have to stop taking phone calls from Arizonans,” said Andrew Erwin, Solari’s president.
Solari said the biggest request — 80 percent of the calls — comes from people about to be homeless.
He added that the organization helped connect more than half a million Arizonans in need to shelter, food, and crisis support services last year.
“With the housing crisis, yes, people are at their wits’ end,” said Shanna Keys, a 2-1-1 operator. “When you are going through a crisis, you really need to be able to have a plan of action so you can focus on how to be successful. And so it’s very vital for us to be able to keep 2-1-1 going.”
The state, since 2020, has provided funding for 2-1-1, which is available in English and Spanish.
But Hobbs has not included money for 2-1-1 in the state budget that begins July 1. Without the state funding, live operators likely will be let go in November, Erwin said.
“Unfortunately, this is the fifth year where we’ve had this type of conversation. This is probably the most dire that it’s ever been. We’ve never gone this far without getting support from the governor’s office,” he said.
Hobbs, this week at two different press conferences, acknowledged the importance of 2-1-1.
“We recognize Solari’s vital role in our community, and our office is actively working to explore solutions to sustainably fund this service,” her office said in a statement to 12News.
Erwin said he’s encouraged by the statements, but “I’m responsible for the 75 people that work here. I’m responsible to the community members that we’re here to serve.”
He added he’s grateful for the past financial support, but he would like a funding commitment.
He said people who call for help will get an automated message if the funding is not provided.