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Commission OKs three‑year Network180 contract to restore social work assessments for homeless outreach team
Summary
The fiscal committee authorized a multi‑year agreement with Network180 to provide social work services supporting the city's Homeless Outreach Team (HOT). The first‑year cost is $244,039 and the three‑year total not to exceed $753,255; the work will restore housing, mental‑health and substance‑use assessments on outreach.
The fiscal committee approved a multi‑year agreement with Network180 to provide social work services to the city’s Homeless Outreach Team (HOT). The agreement is a three‑year arrangement with a first‑year cost of $244,039 and a total three‑year cost not to exceed $753,255.
Chief Brown of the Grand Rapids Police Department described the operational gap the contract will address. “One thing they're not able to do, though, which is very important for the city, are assessments — housing assessments, mental health assessments, substance abuse assessments. This will get 2 social workers back onto the team,” he said.
Staff said outreach work continues and patrol personnel and outreach partners have maintained street presence, but the specialized assessments require licensed social workers. The contract will restore two social worker positions on the HOT team and continue coordination with Kent County partners. Commissioners asked whether the program’s geographic focus could expand beyond downtown; staff responded that outreach routes already target pockets of need around the city as capacity allows and that commissioners should inform staff of areas requiring attention.
The resolution passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition. Staff said the arrangement would enable the HOT team to resume client assessments that are required to connect people to housing, behavioral‑health and substance‑use treatment services.
