City Of West Palm Beach Monthly Homeless Assistance Update

From City of West Palm Beach:

May 4, 2021

Through its Housing and Community Development Department (HCD), the City of West Palm Beach works to enhance the quality of life for its residents through the development of housing, social and economic opportunities. Under the direction of the department’s full-time Homeless Services Coordinator Marcus Laws, HCD provides daily on-street engagement and interventions to those experiencing homelessness in conjunction with staff from the Vickers House, Mental Health America, and Gulfstream Goodwill.

In April 2021, to assist those experiencing homelessness, the city and its partners helped:

• 23 individuals with referrals and access to mental health and substance abuse resources.

• 8 chronically homeless individuals find housing through partnerships with the County’s coordinated entry system, Gulfstream Goodwill and Vickers House.
• 3 chronically homeless individuals through the City’s Homeward Bound Program.

Additionally, the city responded to 69 requests for assistance submitted through the City’s online Homeless Activity Reporter (HAR). The significant increase of HAR activity is a result of additional trainings the homeless outreach team has conducted with PSC Security employees, as well as additional security enforcement agents. The city also facilitated 17 engagements with local businesses and community groups to provide education and resources, as well as 210 engagements throughout city parks, neighborhoods and targeted areas.

In addition to the ongoing outreach and engagement efforts, the City of West Palm Beach’s HCD brought on two additional homeless outreach specialists: Alexandria “Allie” Severino and Henry Mercy. Allie has dedicated several years assisting individuals in overcoming substance abuse challenges, as well as those who are in recovery. Henry has spent more than a decade working with families facing homelessness and is well-versed in housing stabilization services throughout the community.

HCD meets weekly with established partners including St. Ann Place, Gulfstream Goodwill, PSC Security, CJE Security, West Palm Beach Parks & Recreation Department, and the West Palm Beach Division of Sanitation.

The HAR, a web-based application, is one way the public can report when non-emergency city assistance or community resources are needed for someone experiencing homelessness. To make a report, please visit: wpb.org/har.

If you would like to speak with someone regarding an ongoing homelessness concern, contact Marcus Laws, homeless services coordinator, at (561) 517-3328 (TTY: 800-955-8771).

This press release was produced by the City of West Palm Beach. The views expressed are the author's own.