The Homeless Outreach Team recently met an individual experiencing homelessness that also had significant hearing loss and did not have working hearing aids. The outreach team was committed to finding a way to communicate with this resident and ultimately was able to refer them to medical services, a rapid re-housing program, and fitted with hearing aids.
The Homeless Outreach Team encountered a man in his early thirties experiencing homelessness who had a master's degree in engineering but because of his mental health issues and substance abuse was living on the street. The team learned more details of the individual's life prior to the onset of his mental illness, and dedicated themselves to find a local program that could help him. Through partnerships with his attorney, family and PEMHS they were able to get him off the street and into long term treatment.
A previous client was a long-time resident of the City of Largo. The Largo officer was very familiar with the client, who was a Veteran, and had been experiencing street homelessness for over 10 years. The team was able to get this veteran into housing after multiple interactions with the client. The client is still currently in temporary housing and waiting to go into permanent housing.
Dealing with substance abuse issues, another client said he was not ready to get help for the substance abuse issues, but would reach out to our team at a later date. After making contact with the client one more time, he was willing to accept help and was entered into a detox program. The client excelled at the detox program and graduated into their residential treatment program. This client was in the residential program the full-time and is being helped with employment resources and more permanent housing options. The client continually reaches out to Ofc Steiner and Ryan to update them on his progress.
A Largo Police Officer and a local Case Worker had made contact with a couple in Largo Central Park and the Largo Library multiple times and they were offered homeless outreach services each time. These clients had asked on one occasion for help getting transportation out of state to other family members. When that situation did not work, the team continued to make contact with them and build a rapport with them. The clients ultimately accepted help in going to a local homeless shelter and were also provided with clothing to make their stay more comfortable.
These success stories reflect the complexities of homelessness:
- One size does not fit all - People become homeless for various reasons or have different hurdles to climb, which requires an individualized approach to get stably housed.
- It takes time - Someone may not be ready or trusting to accept assistance for shelter and housing right away - It can take multiple interactions (an estimated 8-15 times) with the Homeless Outreach Team before someone accepts help.
- Housing options are limited – With the recent housing market, it is taking longer to find homes for people experiencing homelessness.
- Increase in homelessness among seniors – With increasing costs of living, more and more seniors are finding themselves on the brink of homelessness or experiencing homelessness.
