Norwalk's unsung HOPE team making a difference in homeless population
HOPE task force members at a meeting in July (City of Norwalk photo)
NORWALK – When Dennis Kato arrived in the City of Norwalk to take on the role as Interim Director of Public Safety, the city was facing unique challenges regarding the homeless population.
The previous year, the state and county imposed Project Roomkey (PRK) and Project Homekey (PHK) in Norwalk and the Metropolitan State Hospital reopened the annex, formerly known as the CYA facility, to temporarily house patients awaiting transfer into their hospital system.
He quickly learned that Norwalk’s unique challenges had unique solutions, particularly when it came to the homelessness issue, which is unfortunately common throughout the Gateway Cities Region.
The Norwalk City Council wanted to deal aggressively with public safety and homelessness in response to the increasing homeless population in the City. The City Council approved the creation of the Homeless Operation Prevention and Engagement (HOPE) team in 2018.
The team, which is comprised of a lieutenant, one public safety officer, two maintenance workers, and a code compliance inspector, responds to resident and business concerns, while addressing encampments, in accordance with the law.
The HOPE team also conducts outreach to individuals experiencing homelessness and connects people in need with necessary resources. Through personal one on one interaction between HOPE team members and residents, their goal is to increase trust and make referrals to service providers.
The HOPE team has been instrumental since its creation in reducing the number of homeless individuals in the city.
“The City Council recognized the importance and success of the HOPE team, so that in June 2021, they decided to add a second full-time HOPE team that will work into the evenings to provide dedicated homeless engagement 7-days a week,” said Kato.
In 2017, the city had a homeless population of 278 unsheltered people, with 38 sheltered people based on the Point-In-Time count. The following year, those numbers dropped down to 262 unsheltered and 0 sheltered people.
The homeless numbers improved dramatically in 2019 with 196 unsheltered and 4 sheltered.
In 2020, the numbers improved again with 151 unsheltered and 16 sheltered thanks to the integral work of the HOPE team.
“Lt. Raudel Perez, who was instrumental in the development of the HOPE team, is passionate about his work,” said Kato.
“He recognizes that the HOPE team is a bridge to resources. He told me ‘We are out there every week making connections with the homeless population in Norwalk. We know them and they know us. We care deeply, not just because it is our job, but because this is our community.”
Many on the HOPE team are comprised of Norwalk residents. They recognize the importance of getting help for homeless individuals. They have taken some burden off the Sheriff’s Department LASD and Public Safety units and freed them up to handle other types of service calls.
On reflecting on the future of the task of the HOPE team, Dennis Kato said “It’s our hope that we continue to replicate the successes of the HOPE team and provide resources and access to shelter the homeless population in Norwalk.
“This compassionate approach along with addressing quality of life issues with our residents is at the heart of HOPE.”