Fort Lauderdale is upping the ante in its ongoing effort to tackle homelessness. Acknowledging the multifaceted problem, the City has detailed an enhanced response to help individuals experiencing homelessness with more coordinated efforts, which kicks off with the new fiscal year tomorrow. Last year, they sheltered over 80 people, secured housing for 18, and reunited 41 with family, with police officers playing a role in 34 of those reunifications, as reported by the city’s official news release.
The City is restructuring its programs to respond faster to the growing crisis. Seven new staff members will help provide on-site medical and mental health support and connect people directly with housing. Previously, services were scattered across departments, making it harder for individuals to get help.
The City plans to balance enforcement with compassion by maintaining a consistent presence of police, Park Rangers, and co-responders in public areas. Officers will ensure laws are followed while also offering services to those seeking help. Officials say this approach aims to protect neighborhoods and businesses while supporting people in need, as mentioned on the city’s website…