Saint Joseph council approves HUD Continuum of Care grant and social-worker post for homeless outreach

The Saint Joseph City Council voted to support a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Continuum of Care grant application for $99,845 and approved the creation of a homeless outreach team that would include a social worker embedded with the police department.

Public commenter Jim Whitinger asked how the program would operate and whether outreach meant policing homeless people, saying "I am 1 step away from being homeless myself" and asking, "What if I don't want any of your help?" Mayor and staff representatives said the outreach is intended for people who want assistance and to improve connections to services rather than to target people solely because they are homeless.

City officials and Police Department leadership described the grant as a one‑year opportunity and a "bonus" Continuum of Care funding stream. Chief Luster (named by a councilmember during discussion) said the award is a 75/25 match with the city responsible for the 25 percent share and that the department would reapply annually if the program continues. A council member noted the city's estimated local cost was small; one staff member characterized it as roughly $22,000 of city expense in the first year as the city tests the approach.

Council approved the resolution unanimously (9-0) to pursue the grant and fund the social‑worker position if the grant is awarded. Supporters said the model—embedding a social worker with officers—was shown to improve outcomes in other cities and could provide an option beyond enforcement when officers encounter people in need.

The resolution instructs staff to move forward with the grant application and the proposed outreach approach; officials said they would return with more program details if awarded funds.