New Street Outreach Team Close 96 Encampments in First 10 Days

Spokane's new street outreach teams, launched with Catholic Charities, have made significant strides by clearing 96 encampments in just 12 days. During their visits, most locations did not have residents, but many individuals accepted connections to housing and behavioral health services. Mayor Brown expressed satisfaction with the early results, stating that the outreach teams are crucial for achieving sustainable change in the community. Jonathan Mallahan, President of Catholic Charities Housing Ventures, emphasized that these efforts have reduced the number of individuals living outdoors. The teams are strategically located across all four precincts of the Spokane Police Department, including in the downtown area.

Early next week, Spokane 311 will introduce a new outreach reporting feature, allowing the public to report individuals in need of assistance. This feature aims to facilitate near real-time dispatch of outreach teams to those in distress. By improving coordination and communication among providers, the city hopes to continue making progress in addressing homelessness.