On August 7th, tenants at the Downtown Lincoln Family YMCA were informed via email that the YMCA was closing and that all tenants a part of their transitional housing program would be evicted from their homes on September 30th. Many working-class tenants have called the YMCA home for years.

Tenants were promised support from case management and YMCA staff. Instead, many have been left to find somewhere else to live and move by themselves, with less than 90 days’ notice. Some were given lists of apartments that cost 3x the rent they currently pay.

The Unified Tenants of the Lincoln Family Downtown YMCA have organized against this eviction since mid-August, and maintained clear demands:

1. No evictions from the housing program until everyone has been placed in permanent housing with rent comparable to what tenants currently pay at the YMCA housing program.

2. Financial support for moving costs, security deposits, and first month’s rent.

3. Extend the housing program until 2027.

4. Return rent money to tenants for all of 2026 and all security deposits.

5. Cancel September rent.

While the YMCA caved to tenant pressure and offered some two-day extensions, all tenants are still being pushed out on October 2nd. The YMCA neglected to ensure tenants were placed in permanent housing and has not provided any direct financial compensation. Valley of the Sun YMCA CEO Bryan Madden makes hundreds of thousands of dollars a year, and the YMCA pulls in over $43 million annually. In other words, the YMCA profits off of throwing tenants to the street!

We are asking for financial support from our community for organized tenants’ moving costs and future living expenses. Show material support and solidarity for your working class neighbors in Downtown Phoenix.