Temporary housing with children usually falls into two situations. If your family has lost housing and needs help now, call 2-1-1 in Maricopa County for a referral to family shelter. If you are moving, relocating for work or waiting on a repair or a closing, a furnished rental gives you a kitchen, laundry and room to spread out without a long lease. This guide covers both, then walks through safety checks, costs and how to help children settle.
TL;DR
- Housing crisis right now: call 2-1-1 or 877-211-8661 for the Family Housing Hub, the entry point for families with children under 18 in Maricopa County.
- Planned move or transition: a furnished rental with a full kitchen and in-unit laundry is the practical middle ground between a hotel and an empty apartment.
- Before you book: confirm smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, window locks, pool fencing and the full monthly cost in writing.
- For kids: keep mealtimes and bedtimes steady and let them pick a room or help pack.
Table of Contents
- If your family needs shelter now
- When a furnished rental fits your family better
- Choosing a Phoenix location when you have children
- Safety checks before you book
- Compare the full monthly cost, not the headline rate
- What to confirm about the unit itself
- Helping children settle into a temporary home
- Book a furnished stay for your family
- FAQ
- Sources
If your family needs shelter now
The fastest route is the Family Housing Hub, a Coordinated Access Point in Maricopa County for families with children under 18 who need homeless services. Families can call 2-1-1 or 877-211-8661 seven days a week, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central Arizona Shelter Services also tells families with children to call 211 first for assessment and referral, and notes that immediate placement is not guaranteed. Families may wait for an opening, so ask what to do in the meantime and call back as instructed.
These are the family programs named by the organizations themselves:
| Program | What it offers | Source |
|---|---|---|
| UMOM New Day Centers, Family Emergency Shelter | Shelter for households with children, meals seven days a week, case management, employment services, a Boys & Girls Club and a children’s health clinic run by Phoenix Children’s Hospital | UMOM |
| Family Promise of Greater Phoenix | A 60-day Emergency Shelter Program with food, case management, childcare, housing referrals and private overnight shelter at host congregations, one week at a time | Family Promise |
| The Salvation Army Phoenix Emergency Family Shelter, 2707 E. Van Buren St. | Meals and basic needs for up to 120 days, case management, two playgrounds and an activity center | Salvation Army Phoenix |
Program rules, openings and eligibility change, so use the hotline for what is available this week.
When a furnished rental fits your family better
Many families who search this phrase are not in crisis. They are between homes. A job relocation, a house sale that closes late, a renovation, an insurance claim after damage or a long medical stay can all leave you needing a month or three of housing. Our guests include relocating professionals, corporate travelers and traveling nurses, and many of them bring children.
For a family, a furnished rental beats the usual alternatives for practical reasons:
- Versus a hotel: a full kitchen means you cook breakfast and pack school lunches instead of eating every meal out. Laundry is in the unit, so a week of kids’ clothes does not mean a trip to a laundromat.
- Versus an empty apartment: beds, a sofa, dishes and a workspace are already there. You skip renting a truck and buying furniture for a stay that may last 30 to 90 days.
- Versus a long lease: flexible terms mean you are not locked in for a year when your plans are still moving.
Our short-term rentals and monthly stays in downtown Phoenix include fully equipped kitchens, in-unit laundry, workspaces and WiFi. Our family-friendly rentals guide goes deeper on what to check before booking.
Choosing a Phoenix location when you have children
Phoenix is spread out, so where you stay shapes every school run and doctor visit. Start with the three places you will go most: school or daycare, work, and your pediatrician or hospital.
Downtown Phoenix and Roosevelt Row. Our lofts are downtown, close to the business core, the light rail line, sports venues and the arts district. If a parent commutes to a downtown office or a medical site, living near the rail line can cut driving. Valley Metro’s fare policy lists reduced fares for youth ages 6 through 18, and for PHXLink, children under 6 ride free. Check the current fare page before you travel.
Near children’s medical care. If your child has appointments, distance matters. Phoenix Children’s Hospital’s Thomas Campus is at 1919 E. Thomas Rd., near the 51, and visitor parking is free. If your stay revolves around treatment, see our page on furnished rentals near Phoenix Children’s Hospital.
Biltmore, Tempe and Scottsdale. The Biltmore area suits families who want a quieter, residential feel along the 51 and Camelback corridors. Tempe works for parents tied to Arizona State University or the east-side business hubs. Scottsdale fits stays centered on that city’s offices and resorts. Whichever you pick, drive the school or work route at the real rush hour before you commit, because Valley distances look shorter on a map than they feel at 8 a.m.
Questions to settle before you pick a neighborhood:
- How far is the school, daycare or camp from the rental, at drop-off time?
- Can a parent reach work by rail, bus or a short drive?
- Where is the nearest urgent care or children’s hospital?
- Is there parking included, and for how many vehicles?
- Is there a grocery store and a park within a short walk or drive?
Safety checks before you book
Safety items are easy to verify before you pay and hard to fix after you arrive. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says that before signing a rental agreement, you should verify smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and at least one fire extinguisher. The same notice advises keeping children away from residential elevators and asking the property manager to lock all access doors.
Use this list when you ask questions or walk through:
- Working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, and a fire extinguisher. One reporter’s checklist suggests one of each per floor.
- Functioning locks on every window, and cordless window blinds.
- Tall furniture and TVs anchored to the wall.
- Stairs, balconies and rooftop areas: ask how they are secured.
- If there is a pool, self-latching gates, door alarms and non-climbable four-sided fencing, plus compliant drain covers.
Pool safety deserves extra weight in Phoenix. The Pool Safely campaign points out that rentals have no lifeguards, so young swimmers need constant, undistracted supervision, and that parents and caregivers play the most immediate role in preventing drowning. That applies even when the property has every safeguard.
Send these questions in writing before booking. Our guide to amenity fine print and questions for the property manager shows how specific to get about any shared or private water feature, which matters when children are along.
Compare the full monthly cost, not the headline rate
Two listings with the same nightly or monthly number can cost very different amounts. Build a side-by-side comparison for every option you consider. Copy from each quote:
- The base monthly rate and the exact dates or length of stay
- Taxes, cleaning, service, booking or administration fees
- Deposit, holding fee and the payment schedule
- What is included: utilities, internet, parking
- Charges for pets, extra guests or extra amenities
One rental comparison checklist recommends this complete-cost view, adding mandatory fees, utilities, parking and one-time costs, then subtracting confirmed credits. Put the final figure per month in one column for every listing and compare only those totals.
Also read the written terms. Lease or booking documents decide what you owe and when, including which utilities are included, so rely on the document, not a verbal promise. If you want utilities bundled into one number, see our all-inclusive furnished rentals. For a sense of typical corporate housing budgets, read our Phoenix corporate housing price guide.
What to confirm about the unit itself
Once a listing passes the safety and cost checks, confirm daily-life details:
- Sleeping setup. Count beds, not just bedrooms. Ask whether a crib, sofa bed or air mattress is provided, and what sizes.
- Kitchen. Full-size fridge, oven, dishwasher, and enough dishes and pans for the whole family.
- Laundry. In-unit washer and dryer, not a shared room down the hall.
- Workspace and WiFi. Parents working remotely and kids doing homework both need a quiet spot and a reliable connection.
- Pets. If the family dog is coming, ask about pet policy and fees. See our pet-friendly furnished rentals.
- Length flexibility. Ask how extending or shortening the stay works, and what notice is needed.
- Repairs. Ask how maintenance requests are handled and how quickly.
On arrival, turn appliances on and off, test water pressure in the kitchen and bathroom, and check window and door locks. Doing it on day one, with photos, gives you a clear record if anything needs attention.
Perspective
Families rarely ask us for a pretty apartment. They ask for a place where dinner can happen, laundry can get done and the kids can sleep without a fight. We built our downtown Phoenix lofts around that: fully equipped kitchens, in-unit laundry, workspaces and WiFi, plus flexible booking so a stay can match the real timeline of a move.
A hotel room makes every meal a decision and every wet towel a problem. An empty apartment makes you buy a bed before you have found a school. A furnished home with flexible terms removes both problems, and that is what turnkey move-in means to us.
Our advice is to talk to us early, tell us how many people are coming and how long you need, and ask every safety and cost question in writing. We would rather answer ten questions now than have you discover something on night one.
Sean
Helping children settle into a temporary home
Children handle a short stay better when it feels predictable. The Child Mind Institute suggests that parents plan for possible problems ahead of time, let kids help pack or choose a room, keep mealtimes and bedtimes, and set a routine as soon as you arrive. It also suggests asking, “What can I do to help?”
Practical ways to apply that in a furnished rental:
- Pack a comfort kit. Favorite blanket, stuffed animal, nightlight, a few books and one toy per child go in the car, not the moving box.
- Set up sleeping spaces first. Make beds before unpacking anything else.
- Keep the schedule. Same bedtime, same breakfast, same bath routine.
- Find the neighborhood basics in the first two days. A park, a grocery store, a library and a pizza place give the kids landmarks.
- Give each child a job. Choosing the cereal shelf or arranging the books gives control back.
- Talk about the end date. Tell children how long you will be here and what comes next, in terms they understand.
Book a furnished stay for your family
If your family needs a month or more in downtown Phoenix, we can help you find the right fit. Our lofts offer fully equipped kitchens, in-unit laundry, workspaces and WiFi, with flexible booking for short and mid-term stays.
Browse our Phoenix lofts, check availability for your dates and tell us your family’s needs. For a wider view of how we work, see our furnished rental services.
FAQ
What is the best way to find immediate temporary housing with children in Phoenix?
If you are experiencing homelessness, call 2-1-1 or 877-211-8661 for the Family Housing Hub, which refers families with children under 18 to shelter and other help. Placement is not guaranteed the same day, so ask what to do while you wait. If you simply need a place between homes, a furnished rental can often be booked directly online.
How long can a family stay in temporary housing?
It depends on the program or rental. Family Promise’s emergency shelter program runs 60 days, and the Salvation Army’s Phoenix family shelter provides meals and basic needs for up to 120 days. Furnished rentals are set by your booking dates, and many allow monthly stays.
What should I check for safety in a rental with young children?
Confirm working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, a fire extinguisher, window locks and anchored furniture. If there is a pool, check for four-sided fencing, a self-latching gate and a door alarm. Supervise young swimmers closely at all times.
Is a furnished rental cheaper than a hotel for a family?
That depends on the dates, the number of people and the fees. Compare the total monthly cost for each option, including taxes, cleaning fees, parking and utilities. A kitchen and in-unit laundry can also reduce what you spend on meals and laundry.
Sources
- Family Housing Hub
- Central Arizona Shelter Services: Get Help
- UMOM New Day Centers: Emergency Shelter
- Family Promise of Greater Phoenix: Emergency Shelter
- The Salvation Army Phoenix: Emergency Family Shelter
- Valley Metro: Fare Policy
- City of Phoenix: PHXLink
- Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Thomas Campus
- CPSC: Make Safety a Priority When Staying in a Vacation Rental Home
- Pool Safely: Know Before You Go
- HuffPost: Things to Look For When Renting With Kids
- How to Compare Rental Listings: Complete Checklist
- How to Read Your Lease Before Signing
- Apartment Comparison Checklist
- Child Mind Institute: Moving with Kids
- Hot Tub Amenity Fine Print
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