Duluth introduces dedicated unhoused response coordinator to separate outreach from enforcement

Deputy Chief Otis and the City of Duluth on Monday introduced Emma Springer as the city’s unhoused response coordinator, a new position designed to coordinate outreach and services rather than provide social services directly. "The city of Duluth does not do social services," Otis told the council as he explained the rationale for a coordinator role aimed at connecting people with providers.

Springer, who began the role in July, described a stepped encampment‑response process that begins with outreach and notification and then moves according to property ownership. On private land, outreach staff contact owners and, if owners permit, maintain weekly or biweekly check‑ins; if owners do not permit a camp, enforcement follows established removal steps. For state or MnDOT land the city said it works with the agency to monitor and coordinate next steps.

Springer said the city uses three priority tiers for city property: high‑priority sites within roughly 1,000 feet of schools, playgrounds, trails, sidewalks, businesses or residences; medium priority sites that receive a seven‑day placard; and low‑priority locations monitored with weekly check‑ins. She told councilors, "Since I've started, we've had 44 camps that have been recorded." Springer said 23 of those received two‑hour placards, nine received seven‑day placards and six were placed in a coordination status with outreach.

Councilors pressed Springer on how outreach assignments are made among local providers. She said assignments are left to outreach organizations (including CHUM and other partners) through a biweekly coordination meeting and ad hoc communications as incidents arise.

Deputy Chief Otis clarified Springer's role, saying she is "coordinating" outreach partners and identifying gaps in the process rather than serving as an outreach worker who places people into programs. Councilors and Springer described practical supports now in use, including sharps containers, two trash bags per week for camps and ad hoc use of community dumpsters (Damiano Center was cited as offering occasional disposal support).

Springer highlighted a few observed outcomes: several camps have moved into housing as units became available, one camp closed after failing to maintain trash standards, and others remain stabilized under outreach coordination. The presentation concluded with council questions about outreach coordination and how the new role interacts with enforcement and other city departments.

The council did not take a formal vote on policy changes during the presentation; Springer and staff said the role is intended to streamline coordination with community partners and improve consistency in messaging and follow-up. Next steps discussed included continued interagency coordination and monitoring of outcomes for tracked camps.