NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — The City of New Orleans is recognizing the progress of the Office of Homeless Services and Strategy amid its one-year anniversary.
OHSS staff say the organization was created to assist in developing solutions to the city’s homelessness problem through the expansion of resources, outreach methods and partnerships.
This past year, OHSS members were focused on providing innovative solutions.
In June 2023, city leaders said OHSS entered a Professional Services Agreement with Clutch Consulting Group, LLC to implement a plan to achieve low or no unsheltered homelessness by the end of 2025. A major focus of this plan has been decommissioning homeless encampments.
The city reported that OHSS has also played a role in the response to extreme weather events for the unhoused population by connecting homeless people to shelters and resources.
From June to August 2023, New Orleans experienced record-breaking heat waves. The OHSS responded with daily outreach, providing water for the unhoused as well as organizing transportation to cooling centers.
Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.