October 1, 2019 — Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome and the Louisiana Housing Corporation’s Continuum of Care executed an agreement this week aimed at alleviating homelessness in the parish, with the goal of drastically reducing the number of citizens living without shelter. The City-Parish and homelessness prevention providers are engaging in ongoing, bi-weekly outreach efforts targeting citizens experiencing homelessness, and offering them supportive services intended to transition them to a more permanent living situation.

The Mayor’s office and the Baton Rouge Police Department are supporting the outreach efforts with personnel accompanying the outreach groups as they go into known encampment areas. The Continuum of Care is made up of homelessness prevention providers who visit homeless encampments in the area in order to engage with individuals and offer them these services.

“This effort shows our commitment to face this challenge with compassion, while taking steps to keep Baton Rouge a vibrant and safe community,” said Mayor-President Broome. “We must address the root causes of homelessness in order to help our less fortunate neighbors who often live in unsafe and unhealthy conditions.”

Louisiana Housing Corporation Executive Director E. Keith Cunningham also lauded the partnership with the City-Parish.

“This is another demonstration of the state’s intent to work in collaboration with all of our partners and stakeholders,” said Cunningham. “We are happy to provide any service the agency can offer to assist those who need it the most.”

Since taking office in 2017, Mayor-President Broome has made homelessness prevention part of her agenda. Previous efforts include a “homelessness to housing” program, partnering with a local non-profit to provide employment opportunities for citizens experiencing homelessness, and providing financial support to local shelters and homelessness-prevention organizations in the community.