I-83 Encampment Update

Through the successful collaboration of City agencies and community-based providers, the residents at the I-83 encampment have been connected to more stable housing and appropriate wrap around services.

Following CDC guidance, encampments have been left intact during the COVID-19 pandemic to allow our neighbors experiencing homelessness to shelter-in-place.  However, teams from the Mayor’s Office of Homeless Services (MOHS), People Encourage People (PEP), Downtown Partnership of Baltimore (DPOB), Real Care Providers, and Health Care for the Homeless supported the site daily and provided services including: meals twice a day, PPE, and portable restrooms. The teams also offered shelter/housing, assistance with securing vital identification documents, and treatment for substance use and mental health disorders to address the root causes of chronic homelessness. 

 Together, we accomplished the following:

•  17 former encampment residents have been matched to a housing provider by MOHS

•  28 former encampment residents have been temporarily housed in a shelter or hotel managed by MOHS

•  45 former encampment residents accepted placement in transitional housing programs with community-based service providers 

 We know there is still much to be done to eliminate homelessness in Baltimore City. Currently, there are approximately 13 smaller encampments in the city – down from 22 last month. To that end, the partners have successfully demonstrated that stakeholder collaboration is key to eliminating the remaining encampments and addressing chronic homelessness in our city.