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Council debates homeless outreach contract amid business concerns; vote to defer two weeks
Summary
Council members debated funding and staffing for street outreach teams contracted through a nonprofit (referred to as Mental Health Association/Key to Home partnership). Concerns centered on transient crime and whether outreach staffing is sufficient; council voted 6–3 to defer the contract for two weeks for further information.
The city council heard an extended discussion about a proposed contract amendment to continue funding contracted street outreach teams that provide direct contact, case management and encampment services for people experiencing homelessness. Council members expressed support for outreach but flagged business impacts from transient crime and requested additional detail on funding and staffing. The council voted to defer the item for two weeks, 6–3.
What was proposed and who is involved City staff and program planners described the contract as work that supplements police-led efforts by connecting people living outside to housing and services, assisting during encampment closures, and conducting ongoing outreach to build relationships that lead to housing placements.
Jared Shady, program planner for homeless services, summarized the program’s role: it ‘‘serves all clients’’ and participates in Key to Home activities even though the contractor is described as the Mental Health Association. Jamie (street outreach team lead) told…
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