Read the full article on KETV 7
The Omaha Encampment Pilot Program is more than halfway through its six-month effort. It’s a coordinated effort between the City of Omaha Mayor’s Office, Threshold Continuum of Care and street outreach services. They’re working to address encampments and promote health and safety, so far they say the program is going about as expected. “This is not a siloed effort, right? We are there together, helping people that are experiencing homelessness to the best of our ability and helping get them off the street, because we know that no one is as safe, you know, as they can be while they’re sleeping outside,” said Tamara Dwyer, the city of Omaha homeless services coordinator. According to the group’s data collection, in November, 28 individuals were served, six people in December, and 13 in January. “The number drop is reflective of that is that they’ve kept that connection, you know, through those months,” Dwyer said.Last month, the group also spent nearly 31 extended hours working to help individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Dwyer said they work to keep in touch with the people after closing encampments. She said, so far, their biggest takeaway has been the need for more housing. “We aren’t going to be able to fully solve this without housing for them. Right? That’s the thing that we’re lacking in this pilot program is we don’t have quite the end piece, right, where there’s transitional programming, and there’s housing options that are abundant for everybody,” Dwyer said. “Everyone deserves housing in Omaha and everyone deserves to feel safe where they sleep at night.”Dwyer said that until they get that piece, they will not be able to address all needs. She said she just asks people to remember that “folks experiencing homelessness in your neighborhood are your neighbors.”If you are worried about someone or want them to be checked on, you can call the Mayor’s Hotline. That’s also where you can report encampments on public property. That number is 402-444-5555, or you can send an email to hotline@cityofomaha.org. You can also keep up with the pilot program and sign up for updates by clicking here. Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google Search.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
The Omaha Encampment Pilot Program is more than halfway through its six-month effort.
It’s a coordinated effort between the City of Omaha Mayor’s Office, Threshold Continuum of Care and street outreach services. They’re working to address encampments and promote health and safety, so far they say the program is going about as expected.
Advertisement
“This is not a siloed effort, right? We are there together, helping people that are experiencing homelessness to the best of our ability and helping get them off the street, because we know that no one is as safe, you know, as they can be while they’re sleeping outside,” said Tamara Dwyer, the city of Omaha homeless services coordinator.
According to the group’s data collection, in November, 28 individuals were served, six people in December, and 13 in January.
“The number drop is reflective of that is that they’ve kept that connection, you know, through those months,” Dwyer said.
Last month, the group also spent nearly 31 extended hours working to help individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Dwyer said they work to keep in touch with the people after closing encampments. She said, so far, their biggest takeaway has been the need for more housing.
“We aren’t going to be able to fully solve this without housing for them. Right? That’s the thing that we’re lacking in this pilot program is we don’t have quite the end piece, right, where there’s transitional programming, and there’s housing options that are abundant for everybody,” Dwyer said. “Everyone deserves housing in Omaha and everyone deserves to feel safe where they sleep at night.”
Dwyer said that until they get that piece, they will not be able to address all needs. She said she just asks people to remember that “folks experiencing homelessness in your neighborhood are your neighbors.”
If you are worried about someone or want them to be checked on, you can call the Mayor’s Hotline. That’s also where you can report encampments on public property. That number is 402-444-5555, or you can send an email to hotline@cityofomaha.org.
You can also keep up with the pilot program and sign up for updates by clicking here.
Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google Search.
NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
