HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 9692 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 9692
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council December 9, 2014
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•a SUBJECT: SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE HOMELESS
r ?CL NORTH OF LOOP 820
The purpose of this informal report is to brief the City Council on services that are available for
people who are homeless north of Loop 820. This report begins with a review of the prevalence
of homelessness in the City of Fort Worth and a discussion of panhandling; thereafter, services
will be discussed in two categories, those provided by City staff and those provided by partner
organizations.
Homelessness and Panhandling
While a preponderance of our homeless population is found in and near the central city,
homelessness is a City-wide phenomenon. While only one person was enumerated as homeless
north of Loop 820 in the most recent census (January 2014), anecdotal reports from FWPD North
Division personnel and street outreach workers from faith-based organizations indicate a slight
uptick in the incidence of people who are unsheltered in this area over the course of the year.
Homeless - Counts A
Unsheltered includes people living in places not intended for human 201 184 -8%
habitation, such as in cars, vacant lots/ buildings, under bridges, or in
the woods
Emergency Shelters are intended for short-term lodging and crisis 1,049 1,273 21%
relief, examples include ACH Child and Family Services, Presbyterian
Night Shelter, and Safe Haven of Tarrant County
Transitional Housing programs provide time-limited rental assistance 1,626 948 -42%
(<2 years) and supportive services geared toward self-sufficiency and
independence. Effective for victims of domestic violence, transition-
aged youth, and substance abusers
TOTAL 2,876 2,425 -16%
Data includes Tarrant and Parker Counties, Tarrant County Homeless Coalition, January 2014
It will be helpful to bear in mind that people who are panhandling or soliciting work in parking lots
or roadways are frequently not homeless. Outreach workers and police estimate that only about
half of panhandlers in far north Fort Worth are unsheltered homeless; however, more worrisome,
they estimate that more than 80% are addicted to alcohol and/ or drugs.
The City's Directions Home plan recommends that people not give money to panhandlers. "We
are often moved by the people we see at highway exits, intersections and on the sidewalk" the
plan notes, "it is a dilemma, but you can help in a meaningful way without giving cash." Interested
residents are encouraged to visit www.DirectionsHome.org to learn about ways that they can get
involved in efforts to end homelessness.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 9692
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council December 9, 2014
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•a SUBJECT: SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE HOMELESS
r0K? NORTH OF LOOP 820
Services Provided by Partner Organizations
Information and Referral services are provided by a number of organizations and can help
residents with telephone access locate appropriate resources.
➢ United Way's Community Resource Line: 2-1-1
➢ Tarrant County Homeless Coalition Helpline: (817) 996-8800
➢ Domestic Violence Hotline: SafeHaven, (877) 701-7233
➢ MHMR Crisis Line: (800) 866-2465
➢ Runaway or Homeless Youth: ACH Child & Family Services, (817) 335-4673
Street Outreach engages the unsheltered homeless outdoors and on the streets with the
goal of improving safety and housing stability. Services are provided north of Loop 820 by a
variety of organizations, including:
• Catholic Charities • Hands of Hope
• MHMR Tarrant • Department of Veterans Affairs
• ACH Child & Family Services (Youth)
Access street outreach services by calling 2-1-1 or the TCHC Helpline at (817) 996-8800.
Services Provided by City Staff
Officer Donna Eldridge currently serves as the FWPD Homelessness Liaison Officer. In this
role she works city-wide with people who are homeless, neighborhood organizations, and
neighborhood patrol officers to help connect people with needed resources.
The Homeless Court operated by the City's Municipal Courts and Law Departments provides
selected homeless defendants the opportunity to exchange community service and participation
in a self-improvement program for the dismissal of certain non-violent, Class C misdemeanors.
Access to this specialty court is through a participating partner agency (e.g., Catholic Charities),
many of whom work north of Loop 820.
During the winter months, the City of Fort Worth operates a Cold Weather Overflow Emergency
Shelter when certain overnight conditions are met (temperature, moisture, wind chill) and
community-based emergency shelters are full. While the overflow shelter is located at the Bertha
Collins Recreation Center near downtown, first responders can assist with transportation in some
situations. Contact 2-1-1 or the Homeless Helpline (817) 996-8800.
If you have any questions, please contact Otis Thornton, Homelessness Program Director, at
817-392-7552.
David Cooke
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS