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 Homeless Gateway |
 Community Support Division |
Successful Partnerships refer Homeless off the Streets and into Assistance Center
Fort Lauderdale - Richard Courtney remembers when he called the streets of Fort Lauderdale home. Sleeping in doorways of downtown businesses and City parks wasn't uncommon for him or the other homeless people who roamed the streets looking for shelter.
Today, Courtney is a volunteer with the Fort Lauderdale Police Department's Homeless Outreach Program, a proactive approach to dealing with homelessness in the City. Instead of "bum sweeps" and arrests, police officers are trained to provide aid and referrals to the displaced.
National Data 49% of homeless people are homeless for the first time.
34% have been homeless three or more times. People in families and single people are equally likely to be in their first homeless episode, but single people are more likely than people in families to have been homeless three times or more times (37% versus 23%).
28% of homeless people have been homeless for three months or less, but
30% have been homeless for more than two years.
Single people are three times as likely to be in the two years plus group as people in families (34% to 13%), and half as likely to be in the three months or under group (23% to 49%).
"A three-hour training called 'Homelessness 101,' has helped to change the cultural outlook on the homeless population. Officers have become more sensitive to the needs and rights of homeless people," said Assistant Chief Bob Pusins, who overseas the Fort Lauderdale Homeless Outreach Program. "The partnership between the Police Department, the Broward Coalition for the Homeless and the Broward County Central Homeless Assistance Center (BCCHAC) has grown into a successful working relationship that greatly benefits the displaced."
The Fort Lauderdale Homeless Outreach Program, which is funded by a $50,000 Local Law Enforcement Block Grant, is comprised of police teams and a volunteer who once lived on the streets. The primary duty of the teams is to comb the city in search of homeless men and women and refer them to the BCCHAC, where they receive assistance in social services, educational and employment programs, as well as a place to sleep and eat.
Since its inception in November 1999, the Homeless Outreach Program has interacted with more than 400 homeless people and referred approximately 170 to the BCCHAC.
"We recognize that an arrest for a minor or nuisance violation will not provide a long-term change in the behavior or lifestyle of a homeless person. What we really need to do is provide an opportunity for someone to break out of the cycle of homelessness," said Pusins. "To provide that opportunity, our police officers are encouraged to refer a homeless person to the HAC when appropriate in lieu of arrest. This approach addresses the immediate problem and provides the opportunity for a long-term solution towards independence."
Fort Lauderdale Officer Scott Russell, who is assigned to the Homeless Outreach Program, said he and Courtney approach homeless people several times hoping to coax them into being referred to the BCCHAC.
"The Police Department has been fabulous. The officers have really shown compassion and the ability to change and utilize a resource in the community," "It takes a few contacts to reach out to the homeless who have been on the streets for years. They usually need some time to build their trust in police officers and believe that we are here to help them get back on their feet," said Russell. "My greatest gratification comes when I'm having dinner at the BCCHAC and some of the men and women come up to me and say 'hey, I have a job' or that they have been sober for 10 days."
Ezra Krieg, Resource Development Director of the BCCHAC, said the Center is a one-stop shop that offers 200 beds, three nutritionally balanced meals per day and a wide variety of intensive case management services including legal aid, mental health services, and medical services. The Center also has a day care, laundry room, hair salon, adult education school, and computer lab on the 3.4-acre property. Residents can stay at the Center for a maximum of 60 days.
"The Broward County Central Homeless Assistance Center is a voluntary emergency program that allows homeless parents an opportunity to leave their children in a safe environment while they go out during the day to get their lives together," said Krieg. "Sixty days is not a long time to change someone's life. What we try to do is encourage them to take advantage of the services we provide so that they will ultimately be able to go out and become productive citizens in our community."
In an effort to continually build a positive relationship with the City's homeless, Pusins and senior staff of the BCCHAC meet on a monthly basis to discuss issues, concerns and ideas with each other. The police department "is a significant part of the success story," said Krieg.
The feeling is mutual, according to the police.
"The Homeless Assistance Center is the success story. Most shelters offer residents a bed. The BCCHAC stands apart from the others because residents receive help with applying for food stamps, drug rehabilitation and obtaining their GED," said Russell. "The Homeless Outreach Program is dependent upon the BCCHAC. It's the quintessential program for people who are homeless. This is the only shelter in Broward County where residents can do their laundry, receive a haircut and learn how to use a computer."
According to the Broward Coalition for the Homeless, the primary reason for homelessness is lack of income and extreme poverty. Other factors include family dysfunction, substance abuse, mental illness, insufficient affordable and supported housing, and inadequate support services for low income individuals and families including lack of child care, after school programs, transportation and services for individuals and families with special needs.
"The Police Department has been fabulous. The officers have really shown compassion and the ability to change and utilize a resource in the community," said Krieg. "They had an option of helping somebody instead of just moving them along. They now look at the homeless as people who are in trouble instead of people who are trouble."