The purpose of the Tucson Homeless Work Program is to give people residing in an emergency shelter a pathway out of homelessness through work, community collaboration and navigation of existing services.  The program is intended to build trust with people and move them from temporary housing options to more permanent housing.

The Tucson Homeless Work Program is not a government program. It is a collaboration of various groups and organizations involved in the day-to-day operation of the Tucson Homeless Work Program, including: Old Pueblo Community Services, Catholic Community Services, Salvation Army, Arizona Complete Health, Primavera Foundation, El Rio Community Health Center, Sr. Jose and Caridad Community Kitchen.  Additionally, the program operates with the generous support of the TMC Foundation, HSL Properties, Walmart, Hillman Family Foundation, HSL Foundation, Desert Diamond Casino, Pima County, and the City of Tucson.

As of March 31, 2019, the HWP work program provided employment for 642 homeless persons, resulting in the removal of over 178 thousand pounds of trash at 211 sites throughout Pima County.  Most importantly, over one third of the people who left the program are now in their own home.