A New Leaf, a Valley nonprofit that aims to helps locals overcome homelessness, domestic violence, and crisis situations, has announced the expansion of its East Valley Men’s Center in Mesa. The addition of 30 new transitional housing units, which will help men transition out of homelessness, broke ground Oct. 1.
Men make up more than 60 percent of the homeless population in Maricopa County (according to the Maricopa Association of Governments). The extension of the East Valley Men’s Center illustrates A New Leaf’s continued efforts to combat homelessness through long-term, sustainable solutions and will fill a gap in services for single men who are often overlooked in housing solutions.
“Our goal is not just to provide a temporary fix but to create lasting pathways to stability and independence,” says Michael Hughes, CEO of A New Leaf, in a press release.
Construction of the new units is expected to begin soon, with the project slated for completion in early 2026. These private, studio-style units (the expansion will add 110 beds to the center) will support residents as they rebuild their lives and transition to independent living. The expanded facility will also include onsite healthcare services, provided by Circle the City, offering critical medical care, immunizations, and wellness checkups to A New Leaf residents.
“A New Leaf is one of the best nonprofit organizations in the Valley, and a great partner to the City of Mesa,” says Mesa Mayor John Giles, while in attendance at the groundbreaking event. “Housing and homelessness is not ‘an’ issue for Mesa—it is ‘the’ issue.” The City of Mesa is providing over $9 million in funding for the project. Other dignitaries in attendance at the groundbreaking event included Rep. Lorena Austin, Councilmember Mark Freeman, and Vice Mayor Francisco Heredia.
A New Leaf–which was founded more than five decades ago–offers 40 programs at locations across the Valley. This year alone, the nonprofit projects it will impact the lives of 23,000 people through comprehensive programming.
For more information, visit turnanewleaf.org.