DEPARTMENT: Human Services and San Antonio Police Department
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Melody Woosley and Chief William McManus
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Update on Comprehensive Homeless Plan and Panhandling
SUMMARY:
An update on the Comprehensive Homeless Plan and Panhandling
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Department of Human Services (DHS) and San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) will present an update on the Comprehensive Homeless Plan that combines traditional law enforcement and social service strategies to address homelessness.
On December 9, 2015 DHS and SAPD presented the Comprehensive Homeless Plan that balanced traditional law enforcement and social service strategies to address homelessness. This briefing provides updates on both immediate and long term strategies outlined in the Comprehensive Plan.
DHS serves as the coordinating department in managing City of San Antonio homeless initiatives and investments. This includes oversight of homeless investments; participation in the South Alamo Regional Alliance for the Homeless (SARAH) Continuum of Care; coordination of the Mayors Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness; and homeless policy research and analysis. The Police Department plays a key role in the plan by maintaining a team that focuses on connecting homeless to services and housing, reunifies them with family or places them in the criminal justice system.
The San Antonio Police Department works in collaboration with area non-profit organizations, the business community and neighborhoods throughout the City to formulate strategies and implement programs that address the underlying issues that contribute to homelessness and panhandling. In addition to the continued efforts of the IMPACT Team, which has made 1,324 contacts with homeless Downtown and in the surrounding area since October 2015, the SAPD is working on the following initiatives:
* Point in Time Count
On January 26, 2017, the SAPD provided logistical s...
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