On Friday, Nov. 11, the Sheriff’s Community Service & Reentry Division, Homeless Outreach Proactive Enforcement Team (HOPE) conducted a quality-of-life initiative in the city of Highland. The goal of the operation was to connect with unhoused residents and offer them services such as housing, medical and mental health treatment, and other social services.
During the operation, the H.O.P.E. Team located 30 encampments, spoke to 38 homeless individuals, 27 of whom were found to be chronically homeless. Six seniors and one veteran were also contacted. Thirty-seven were referred to assistance programs, 13 of whom received direct assistance.
Two individuals met the criteria for the county's Project Room Key program and were provided placement at a local motel where they will work with service providers to end their homelessness.
The team was able to provide this focused outreach due to Senate Bill 170, which provided funding to the Sheriff's Department to support ongoing operations of this nature. The H.O.P.E. team and other aligned resources will continue operations of this type throughout the county over the next several years.
If you know of someone experiencing homelessness who is in need of services, please contact the H.O.P.E. Team at 909-387-0623 or hope@sbcsd.org