New Street Outreach Team Close 96 Encampments in First 10 Days

Spokane's street outreach teams, launched in partnership with Catholic Charities, cleared 96 encampments within their first 12 days of operation. While the majority of the sites did not have residents, many individuals accepted connections to behavioral health and housing services, including the navigation center. Mayor Brown highlighted the outreach teams' role in fostering sustainable change through improved coordination among social workers, medical professionals, and law enforcement. Jonathan Mallahan, President of Catholic Charities Housing Ventures, expressed optimism about the early progress in connecting vulnerable residents with necessary services. The outreach teams are strategically located in all four Spokane Police precincts to enhance their effectiveness.

Next week, Spokane 311 will introduce a new outreach reporting feature, enabling the community to report individuals in need of assistance. This initiative reflects a broader commitment to addressing homelessness in Spokane. The collaborative effort aims to reduce the number of individuals forced to live outdoors, improving overall community well-being.