A growing Arizona nonprofit is taking an innovative approach to fighting homelessness — by pairing job training with housing opportunities in the very industry it serves.
Entryway Arizona, the local chapter of a national organization, helps individuals and families experiencing homelessness transition into steady employment and long-term housing. Through partnerships with apartment communities across the Phoenix area, participants receive career training, job placement, and reduced rent on-site, creating a bridge to stability.
The program offers wraparound support that includes mentorship, financial literacy education, and ongoing career guidance. Participants are trained for roles such as leasing agents, maintenance technicians, and community managers — positions that often come with housing benefits and opportunities for advancement.
According to Arizona PBS, Entryway’s Phoenix chapter is among the most successful in the country. Each year, it places dozens of participants — many with families — into stable jobs and homes, reducing the risk of returning to homelessness.
By aligning workforce development with housing access, Entryway Arizona is showing how collaboration between nonprofits and the private sector can address both employment gaps and housing insecurity at once. The model is gaining attention as communities across the state look for sustainable, long-term solutions to homelessness.
