Dalton explains current Code Blue canvassing approach
Dalton says DHS now canvasses all people on the street during extreme weather rather than only a known vulnerable list, tested during Code Red with over 2,000 engagements, and says the bill would limit this approach.
But focusing only on that list leaves us without an approach for the roughly 5,000 other people on the street.
On the coldest nights and hottest nights of the year, the people we don't know may be at the greatest risk.
During the coldest nights of the year, additional canvassers will join DHS staff and contracted outreach teams to cover areas where we know most people experiencing unsheltered homelessness are staying.
These teams will engage everyone they encounter.
Everyone will be warned about the dangers of extreme weather and offered warming or cooling space, a shelter, a safe haven bed, another safe place to go with transportation to get there.
We tested this approach during Code Red, and looking at one day during Code Red this past summer, teams recorded more than 2,000 engagements with vulnerable people, roughly 20 times as many contacts and
seven times as many placements as on a comparable day under the old approach.
They handed out supplies to more than 1,500 people and completed nearly 200 medical assessments.
This approach will continue during Code Blue and is currently drafted.
The introduction would limit our ability to implement this approach effectively.