Complexities in Dismantling Encampments: Equitable Approaches to Helping Unsheltered People Living in Encampments
Homelessness is a persistent, nationwide crisis affecting individuals across all demographics, with people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals disproportionately impacted. Encampments present specific challenges, as they are frequently dismantled or restricted by local policies that lack long-term solutions. Learn the factors driving homelessness, the implications of racial and social justice, and the critical need for compassionate, coordinated responses that protect both individuals and communities.
For over 35 years, Advocates for Human Potential, Inc. (AHP) has been improving health and human services systems of care and business operations to help organizations and individuals reach their full potential. We bring expertise in developing equitable strategies to address complex issues like encampment management, ensuring solutions are both compassionate and sustainable.
Recommendations for Equitable Encampment Responses
To approach encampment responses equitably and effectively, we recommend implementing the following strategies, informed by best practices and national standards:
- Develop a Written Strategy: Policies and procedures should be in place before engaging with encampments, covering the who, what, where, when, and how.
- Implement United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) Principles: These principles emphasize coordinated outreach, provision of basic needs, and pathways to permanent housing.
- Prepare and Train Staff: Staff should be trained in health and safety, trauma-informed care, cultural humility, and de-escalation.
- Ensure Cross-Agency Collaboration: Involve city and county agencies, healthcare providers, LGBTQ+ organizations, and homelessness services in a multisector response.
Practical Solutions: Examples and Project Descriptions
Collaborative Approaches
- Mobile Services and Resource Events: Regular local events to provide benefits like access to Medicaid plans, food resources, hygiene kits, Narcan®, and housing options.
- Safe Outdoor Spaces: Designate areas with wraparound services to ensure safety and access to essential services.
- Street Medicine Teams: Teams can assess individuals with a high level of need within encampments to connect them with medical and housing services.
Interdepartmental Collaboration
- Monthly Coordination Meetings: Led by homeless services or human services, these meetings should include trained outreach teams, police, parks, housing departments, and behavioral health providers.
- 10-Day Response: Intensive efforts focused on rehousing from a single encampment site, leveraging public-private partnerships and flexible funding.
Impacts of Encampment Sweeps
Mental Health and Stability
- Exacerbates anxiety, trauma, and distrust, pushing individuals toward institutions like hospitals and jails.
- Cuts off access to consistent mental health support.
Loss of Essential Resources
- Personal documents, photo IDs, birth certificates, and medical items are often confiscated or lost.
- Disrupts connections to services, delaying paths to housing and stability.
Community Displacement and Strain
- Pushes people into underserved areas, straining resources and complicating outreach efforts.
- Erodes public trust, particularly impacting Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) and LGBTQ+ communities.
About Us
Advocates for Human Potential, Inc. (AHP) creates powerful solutions to improve health and human services systems. By partnering with the federal government, states, municipalities, healthcare systems, and nonprofits, we help people experiencing the greatest disadvantages lead full and productive lives. We are national leaders in training and technical assistance, research and evaluation, publishing, and dedicated consulting. On issues from workforce development to mental health, substance use disorders to housing and homelessness, we help our clients enhance behavioral health care through systems change. AHP was founded nearly 40 years ago to develop solutions for some of the biggest social infrastructure challenges across the nation. Our company has offices in metro Boston, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Find out more at www.ahpnet.com.
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