Homeless outreach teams working in each part of Spokane to reduce illegal camping

SPOKANE, Wash.– Catholic Charities homeless outreach teams are working across Spokane eight hours a day, seven day a week.

These teams said most of the calls they respond to are from people calling 311, but they also work with Spokane Police if needed.

They bring backpacks with supplies like socks and an emergency blanket.

Garcia, one of the outreach leaders for Catholic Charities, said, “we offer little snacks and beanies, hand warmers, gloves, just little basics. Just to let them know that we’re here for them and we want them to try to come get some help at our services and see what we can do.”

The outreach teams said directing people to the daytime navigation center on Cannon Street is the best way to get people the help they need.

They’re also picking people up to help them get there.

Program Coordinator Cristy Coleman said, “we honor what’s best for the person, but we can call the transportation line at the navigation center and have people picked up. We can do bus passes, and we can also transport too if that’s what’s needed.”

The city has put an emphasis on cracking down on people camping on sidewalks, especially downtown.

Since October 28th, police have handed out hundreds of citations and 63% were given in the downtown area.

So far police have made contact with nearly 600 people since the end of October with people blocking sidewalks.

Over a hundred accepted services and Catholic Charities hopes persistent contacts will help get people the help they need.

VP of Stabilization Services David Sackmann said, “it helps with the relationships, it helps with the trust, it let people know that we are there, we are available.”