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Des Moines staff, Primary Healthcare propose expanded street outreach and tighten camping rules; council to consider contract Monday
Summary
Primary Healthcare told the Des Moines council workshop it can expand street outreach from 1 to 4 FTEs to improve connections to shelter and services; staff also proposed ordinance changes (shorter cleanup notice, narrowed sleeping prohibition) and seven initiatives to reduce barriers to shelter. Council is set to consider contract authorization on Monday.
Shelby Ridley, director of programs at Primary Healthcare, told a Des Moines council workshop that the nonprofit seeks to expand street outreach to provide more consistent engagement with people living unsheltered and to improve connections to shelter and services.
"We currently have 1 FTE at this point, and this proposal would expand to 4 FTEs," Ridley said, describing a plan to add three outreach workers who would operate in pairs and cover daytime and evening shifts. PHC’s model emphasizes Housing First, progressive engagement and harm reduction; Ridley said the nonprofit does not require sobriety or appointments and focuses on building trust with clients.
Ridley also warned of limited housing supply: "The waiting list currently has at least 750 people on that waiting list," she said, noting permanent supportive housing openings are rare and staff must often find a match within three days of an opening.
City Manager Scott said the city intends to…
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