City staff report on encampment outreach: staff recommend district‑level outreach workers and note barriers to shelter

City outreach staff told the Equitable Growth and Housing Committee that the city’s street outreach and encampment response has shifted to a warmer, multi‑partner model but that capacity and shelter availability remain limiting factors.

Brooke (city street outreach staff) said she and colleague Amara visit encampments after CSR reports, engage occupants and offer shelter and services. "When we originally get a CSR ... Amara and myself will go out and we'll investigate the area. We will engage with the occupants, and one of our first points of contact, we ask them if they would like for us to link them with shelter," Brooke said. Staff said many people decline shelter for reasons including rules and loss of autonomy, prior bans from shelters, lack of identification and documentation, and language or cross‑jurisdictional issues for…