Phoenix Starfish Place is a 15-unit transitional housing community launched in 2017 to support female survivors of sex trafficking and their children. Designed as a sanctuary for healing and empowerment, the two- and three-bedroom apartments provide more than shelter—they offer a pathway to independence through trauma-informed care and life-skills development.
Originally acquired and renovated by the Phoenix Housing Department, the program thrives through a powerful partnership with Arizona State University’s (ASU) Office of Sex Trafficking Intervention Research (STIR) and behavioral health providers.
In 2023, the model evolved into a fully transitional living program, creating a more therapeutic, resident-centered environment. Starfish Place stands as a bold, compassionate response to human trafficking—turning survival into success, one family at a time.
City of Phoenix Efforts to Address Human Trafficking
In 2013, the City of Phoenix launched the Mayor’s Human Trafficking Task Force, led by Councilman Jim Waring. The task force was formed to establish the City of Phoenix as a model for addressing and combating human trafficking. To meet this goal, Phoenix adopted and implemented the Compass Plan, a five-year roadmap to combat human trafficking. Learn more on the City's Human Trafficking Awareness webpage.