Homelessness in the Omaha-Council Bluffs area has been on a significant rise over the last decade. In fact, Omaha has seen the highest rise in per capita, unsheltered homelessness since 2013–a jump of over 1200%, according to the Flatwater Free Press. This increase is partially to blame in driving Omaha to rank 21st in the nation in per capita homelessness.
In January of 2024, Omaha Senator Mike McDonnell introduced LB1357, a measure that would make encampments in certain areas–like government property–illegal. Dawes County Sheriff Aaron Hanson vocally supported this bill. While the proposal did fail after being indefinitely postponed, other conversations like it have been met with resistance.
In response to the debates, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is launching a new Sheltering Assistance Program. This program may give those concerned the opportunity to show just how concerned they are, as it allows citizens to house would-be homeless individuals in their own homes after an application process.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Sheriff Hanson did say he “believes local shelters remain the best pathway to safety, stability, mental health care, and sobriety.”…