New Street Outreach Team Close 96 Encampments in First 10 Days

Spokane's newly established street outreach teams have made notable progress, clearing 96 encampments in just 12 days. The operation, a collaboration between the City of Spokane and Catholic Charities of Eastern Washington, aims to connect vulnerable individuals with essential services. While many sites visited were unoccupied, a significant number of people accepted assistance for behavioral health and housing. Mayor Brown stated that enhancing collaboration among providers is crucial for achieving sustainable change in the community. Jonathan Mallahan of Catholic Charities praised the outreach teams' early success in reducing the number of individuals living outdoors.

The teams operate in all four precincts of the Spokane Police Department, ensuring comprehensive coverage. In an effort to further assist those in need, Spokane 311 will launch a new outreach reporting feature next week. This feature will allow the public to report individuals requiring assistance, facilitating near real-time dispatch of outreach teams.