City of Tacoma, WA

12/17/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/17/2024 15:53

City of Tacoma's HEAL Team Continues to See Progress in Ongoing Efforts to Address Homelessness

City of Tacoma's HEAL Team Continues to See Progress in Ongoing Efforts to Address Homelessness

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 17, 2024

MEDIA CONTACT

Maria Lee, Media & Communications, [email protected], (253) 591-2054


City of Tacoma's HEAL Team Continues to See Progress in Ongoing Efforts to Address Homelessness

-- Work of HEAL Team Supports City's Broader Alternative Response Strategy --

TACOMA, Wash. - The City of Tacoma's Homeless Engagement and Alternatives Liaison (HEAL) Team continues to see progress in its ongoing efforts to address homelessness. The HEAL Team, a cornerstone of the City's broader alternative response strategy, remains dedicated to connecting individuals experiencing homelessness with the support and resources they need.

This year, the HEAL Team has achieved:
  • Faster response to community concerns with decreased 311 response times
  • Increased efficiency in homeless outreach with an "on-time" completion rate for homeless outreach requests that has more than doubled, from 30 percent to 82 percent
  • Reduced reliance on police interventionin response to encampment outreach
  • Improved communication with the community with enhancements to the 311 system to provide real-time case progress updates to the public

The HEAL Team's data-driven approach, including a comprehensive dashboard, allows for continuous monitoring and improvement of services. This mirrors the City's broader commitment to data transparency which ensures accountability and facilitates ongoing program optimization.

By the numbers, as of November 30, the HEAL Team has:

  • Made 2,798 new and repeat contacts with individuals experiencing homelessness
  • Connected 1,039 individuals experiencing homelessness to essential services
  • Supported 276 individuals experiencing homelessness with placement into temporary shelter
  • Helped 12 individuals experiencing homelessness access detox programs
  • Referred 15 individuals experiencing homelessness to the HOPE Team for further assistance


The HEAL Team's ongoing efforts underscore the importance of the City's integrated and collaborative approach to community well-being.

A recording of today's City Council Study Session presentation is available at facebook.com/cityoftacoma.

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