Families living unsheltered found thanks to new Pilot Program
Our local homeless services system never had a true picture of the number of families experiencing unsheltered – or street – homelessness. Until now.
Usually, families start their journey to housing by calling the Central Access Point (CAP) Helpline. And some families can stay where they are for a few weeks. But others are already living in their cars or even the hallway of a building.
As a result, it was difficult for CAP to determine who were the most vulnerable families. Finding the most vulnerable families to place first is a priority. Because there are a small number of family shelter beds.
In order to determine which families most need space in shelter, in 2024 we started a Street Outreach pilot program.
Here is how it works:
- A family calls CAP and reports they are sleeping unsheltered with children. CAP collects detailed information from them regarding where they are sleeping, etc.
- CAP shares this in with our Street Outreach partner. To send out help within 48 hours. (Though typically it happens the very next morning before 7am).
- To see if they can verify which families are truly sleeping outside on the streets.
- The outreach worker informs CAP of which families they have verified as sleeping unsheltered. And which they were unable to verify.
- Based on this, CAP prioritizes families to receive available space in one of our family shelters.
We knew there were more families sleeping on the streets, in cars, than could be counted.
How many families are living unsheltered?
In 2023, 11 families were found sleeping unsheltered. In 6 months in 2024, 231 families were found sleeping unsheltered.
How can you help?
The CAP Helpline is not fully funded. So, we turn to our local government entities and private foundations for help.
And to our generous donors to ensure the CAP Helpline is there for those in need in our community. And to continue to connect callers to supportive stabilization resources to exit homelessness.
You can agree – addressing homelessness is not just about providing shelter but also about ensuring overall well-being.
