The Zephyrhills Police Department and the local nonprofit CHIPS (Community Hope and Intervention Project) reported progress on outreach to people experiencing homelessness at the April 28 City Council meeting, including dozens of service contacts, multiple placements and several thousand dollars of direct aid.

Chief Brewer said the police department’s Community Response Team — formed in February 2023 and expanded to three officers — handled 218 service calls and 77 individual referral contacts in the period summarized for council. He reported 12 placements in long‑term treatment, 15 involuntary mental‑health examinations, 22 arrests connected to incidents and 79 city ordinance warnings or citations. Chief Brewer said officers dismantled 33 encampments involving 97 occupants.

Kathy McKenzie, CHIPS’ coordinator and a licensed clinical social worker, told the council CHIPS had provided nearly $4,000 from local funds and leveraged roughly $20,000 through the county continuum‑of‑care challenge grants for a total of about $23,000 spent on health care, motel vouchers, rental assistance, transportation and utilities. She described part‑time, on‑call work that often extends beyond her scheduled days and said many callers “just want somebody to listen.”

A letter read aloud by Chief Brewer described one client’s account in which CHIPS’ work helped a nurse move from living in her car to a four‑month motel stay and then to a permanent apartment with her child. “Kathy gave me a second chance...she saved my life,” the client wrote.

Council members and the mayor praised the partnership between police, CHIPS volunteers and partner organizations; several members asked for public education to reduce stigma and to encourage donations and volunteer support. Chief Brewer and CHIPS leaders said workforce and training programs such as AmSkills and Pasco County resources can help make long‑term placements into stable employment more likely.

Council members discussed funding CHIPS’ coordinator position at full time and noted the city had applied for a grant that could pay for program expansion if awarded.