New Street Outreach Team Close 96 Encampments in First 10 Days

Spokane's new street outreach teams, in collaboration with Catholic Charities of Eastern Washington, have made significant strides by closing 96 encampments in their first 12 days of operation. While many sites were unoccupied, outreach efforts successfully linked numerous individuals to housing and behavioral health services. Mayor Brown highlighted the outreach teams' role in the city's broader homelessness strategy and called for enhanced coordination between service providers, social workers, medical professionals, and law enforcement. Jonathan Mallahan, President of Catholic Charities Housing Ventures, noted the positive impact of these efforts, stating that fewer individuals are forced to live outdoors as a result. The outreach teams are strategically located across all four precincts of the Spokane Police Department, including downtown, ensuring comprehensive coverage.

In an effort to further improve response times, Spokane 311 will soon launch a new outreach reporting feature, allowing the public to report individuals in need of assistance. This initiative aims to facilitate near real-time dispatch of outreach teams to those requiring help. The early success of these teams indicates a promising approach to addressing homelessness in Spokane.