A new audit of homeless outreach in Seattle shows a dire need for more diversion and more beds.
The report, published Tuesday by Seattle's city auditor, says a lack of shelter beds in enhanced shelters is hindering referrals to people experiencing homelessness.
In 2017, the city launched a Navigation Team to assess homeless needs and direct them to open beds or reunify them with family and friends. Seattle police officers and outreach workers make up the 22-person team.
Of the 1,842 people contacted, just 17 were reunified.
The audit found a lack of beds may hinder the team's ability to shelter people.
From the middle of March through December there was an average of just 18 beds available for referral per night. Enhanced shelters, which provide secure storage, allow pets and accommodate couples, had almost no availability.
The report proposes three solutions: deploying "bridge-to-housing" facilities, reserving beds for the Navigation Team in enhanced shelters, and prioritizing investments in enhanced shelters over increasing the size of basic shelter capacity.
