Native Americans in Arizona face homelessness following closure of sober living homes amid fraud

By Faruk Zorlu

ANKARA (AA) - The closure of sober living homes in Arizona has left hundreds of Native Americans, primarily Navajo, homeless amid a state crackdown on Medicaid fraud.

This situation unfolded after the state took action and cracked down on Medicaid fraud and suspended around a hundred unlicensed sober living homes in In Phoenix, Arizona.

Navajo law enforcement teams have reached out to approximately 270 Native Americans, mostly Navajo, living on the streets in the metropolitan Phoenix area, offering temporary housing and assistance, the attorney general for the Navajo Nation Ethel Branch said at a Facebook live session on Monday.

Contacting several hundred Native Americans from various tribes who are living on the streets, Branch said the teams actively engaged with the tribal members on a personal level, offering them the opportunity to provide temporary shelter for a few days as they return to legitimate facilities.

Working closely with local police agencies and a nonprofit organization, Operation Rainbow Bridge, the teams ensured that the Native Americans facing homelessness received the support and assistance they needed during this challenging time, she added.

Last month, the Arizona state government's crackdown resulted in the suspension of payments to over 100 providers, with the investigation involving the FBI and the US Attorney's Office leading to 45 indictments and the recovery of $75 million.