Dula Canyon

Brady Hettinger

In Arizona there has become a greater necessity for affordable housing within the Phoenix Metropolitan Area as homelessness begins to rise at a higher rate. Contributing to the issue, there are approximately 20,000 youth transitioning out of the foster care system each year without ever reuniting with their parents or having another permanent home. These young people experience more behavorial, mental, and physical health issues making them more susceptible to the socio-economic factors that lead to homelessness. The idea is to develop an environment in which focuses its design and resources on encouraging the youth to create their own positive and healthy path into the community and into society.

To encourage participate in such an environment we must look at and integrate their needs as human beings such as health, privacy, security, social connection, and education. Another perspective that must be considered is the program typology and what services (e.g. job placement, counseling, living skills) will best serve the Dula Canyon community. Dula Canyon will look to promote wellness and growth through the design and programming of it’s paces and surroundings.