One year after the City of Huntsville cleared and reorganized the homeless encampment on Derrick Street, city officials say a new coordinated outreach approach is producing measurable results, including expanded services and permanent housing placements for unsheltered residents.
The city announced Tuesday that its recently established Homeless Services Team has helped house 22 individuals while strengthening partnerships among agencies that provide housing, treatment and support services.
A key component of the effort has been the addition of the city’s first Homeless Resource Specialist, Charles Morris, whose role focuses on coordinating services and improving communication among organizations working with Huntsville’s homeless population.
“The work underway today is much larger than anything that happened at Derrick Street,” said Scott Erwin, Huntsville’s Community Development Manager. “The City is now better positioned to support the organizations doing the day-to-day work.”
City officials said the team has shifted toward a more individualized case management model, developing personalized housing plans, expanding outreach efforts and working closely with service providers to connect people with available resources.
Morris, who previously worked with Priority Veteran, said the approach centers on building relationships and creating long-term pathways to stability.
“We’re meeting people where they are, building trust and developing real pathways to stability,” Morris said. “That’s what makes this approach work.”
The city said organizations including FirstStop, Partnership for a Drug-Free Community and WellStone have reported improved coordination through the new structure. Providers said stronger communication allows agencies to respond more quickly when individuals are ready to pursue treatment, obtain identification documents, access crisis services or seek housing assistance.
Officials noted that helping people transition out of homelessness often requires sustained engagement over extended periods of time.
The Huntsville Police Department’s Community Outreach Unit continues to work alongside service providers by helping maintain safe conditions during outreach efforts and building relationships with residents living at Derrick Street and other locations.
Officer Jonathan Savage said the city’s approach has evolved significantly from earlier homeless outreach initiatives.
“Homelessness is a community problem requiring a community response,” Savage said. “At Derrick Street, trust built over time means residents are now more willing to call for help when they need it.”
The city said it plans to continue refining its outreach efforts and expanding collaboration among agencies as it works to connect more residents with housing, treatment and recovery services.
