New Street Outreach Team Close 96 Encampments in First 10 Days

Spokane's street outreach teams, a collaboration with Catholic Charities of Eastern Washington, cleared 96 encampments within just 12 days of their launch. While most sites did not have residents, the teams successfully connected many individuals to behavioral health and housing services, including a navigation center. Mayor Brown emphasized the initiative's importance for sustainable community change, highlighting the necessity for improved coordination among service providers, social workers, and law enforcement. Jonathan Mallahan, President of Catholic Charities Housing Ventures, expressed encouragement over the progress, noting it reduces the number of individuals forced to live outdoors. The outreach teams are strategically deployed across all four Spokane Police Department precincts, ensuring broad coverage.

Next week, Spokane 311 will launch a public reporting feature, enabling citizens to report those in need for immediate assistance. This initiative is part of a broader plan to address homelessness and improve community services. Early results suggest a positive trend in connecting vulnerable populations with necessary resources.