Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Homelessness topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Mayor highlights homelessness outreach, mental-health pilot serving 55 people
Summary
Mayor Keith James said the city's homeless outreach team increased from one to 10 full-time workers under his administration, reported results including housing or sheltering 302 chronically homeless individuals, and described a pilot with the Health Care District that has served 55 people who do not meet Baker Act criteria.
Mayor Keith James said West Palm Beach expanded its homeless outreach work and launched a mental-health pilot with the Health Care District of Palm Beach County that has served 55 people so far.
James said his administration increased the homeless outreach team from one staff member to 10 full-time employees whose duties include daily street engagement with people experiencing homelessness. He credited that increase with outcomes he reported: 302 chronically homeless individuals housed or sheltered, 75 people reconnected to the city's Homeward Bound program, 156 people receiving mental health or substance-abuse services, and 2,743 engagements in parks and neighborhoods.
On mental-health response: The mayor described a pilot program with the Health Care District intended to assist individuals who do not meet the threshold for involuntary Baker Act detention but still require support. "To date, 55 people receive the help they need through this pilot program," James said. He said the county donated some funding to the effort and that the city aims to evolve the program into a one-stop facility addressing quality-of-life issues.
What was not specified: The mayor provided counts for people served and engagement totals but did not present program budgets, staffing details beyond the 10 outreach employees, or an implementation timeline for a proposed one-stop facility during the speech.
Context: James framed homelessness and the pilot program as part of broader efforts to improve safety, health and access to services without presenting an ordinance or formal council directive at the event.
