Presentations by: Beverly Mesa-Zendt, Human Services Manager 425-556-2423
Tisza Rutherford, Homeless Outreach Administrator 425-553-7093
Planning and Community Development
IV.
DESCRIPTION/BACKGROUND While there have been new challenges due to the pandemic and staffing transitions these last few months, the City’s new Homeless Outreach Program Administrator has been working to identify and resolve gaps and barriers for individuals experiencing homelessness.
Current challenges:
• COVID-19 has created many additional barriers, including charging stations for cell phones, lack of places to stay during the day, and closure of state offices and needed services (e.g. ID cards, driver’s licenses). Treatment centers currently are only providing tele-health, which is difficult for those without phones, limited minutes, or little technology skills.
• With more community members sheltering in place, police have reported an increase in calls from individuals just now “noticing” individuals sleeping outside or in parked cars. These calls have burdened police to respond to situations that are not classified as criminal activity.
• There has been an increase in transient populations arriving in Redmond from Seattle. This is partly due to the current unrest in Seattle, and to reduced or eliminated bus routes.
• Deferred parks maintenance has led to overgrowth in areas bordering private and commercial property. This sometimes results in development of new encampments. Outreach staff has coordinated with Parks to cut back and maintain identified areas so they are not as appealing for camps to establish. Current work underway: The Homeless Outreach Administrator:
DESCRIPTION/BACKGROUND While there have been new challenges due to the pandemic and staffing transitions these last few months, the City’s new Homeless Outreach Program Administrator has been working to identify and resolve gaps and barriers for individuals experiencing homelessness.
Current challenges:
• COVID-19 has created many additional barriers, including charging stations for cell phones, lack of places to stay during the day, and closure of state offices and needed services (e.g. ID cards, driver’s licenses). Treatment centers currently are only providing tele-health, which is difficult for those without phones, limited minutes, or little technology skills.
• With more community members sheltering in place, police have reported an increase in calls from individuals just now “noticing” individuals sleeping outside or in parked cars. These calls have burdened police to respond to situations that are not classified as criminal activity.
• There has been an increase in transient populations arriving in Redmond from Seattle. This is partly due to the current unrest in Seattle, and to reduced or eliminated bus routes.
• Deferred parks maintenance has led to overgrowth in areas bordering private and commercial property. This sometimes results in development of new encampments. Outreach staff has coordinated with Parks to cut back and maintain identified areas so they are not as appealing for camps to establish. Current work underway: The Homeless Outreach Administrator: