The City Auditor’s Office recently shed light on the grim state of homelessness response in the city, presenting findings that raise concerns about the efficacy and coordination of efforts to address this persistent issue. According to a report published yesterday, encampment responses are scattershot and inadequately documented. The report also highlights a failure in the mobile crisis response system, which has proven neither efficient nor well-defined, leaving many vulnerable individuals without needed mental health services.
Challenges with street outreach are also underscored in the audit, pointing to disorganized efforts which contribute to the disconnect between those experiencing homelessness and potential housing solutions. While the Street Outreach Contractor is meeting housing outcome goals, the audit indicates that the Homeless Outreach Team struggles due to a shortage of dedicated resources. This disquieting panorama suggests a need for immediate intervention and restructuring at multiple levels of the City’s homelessness response infrastructure…