In 2018 the APD started a Homeless Outreach Team (HOT). This team includes a patrol officer, the JDP clinician, a health inspector, a firefighter/EMT and staff from the Somerville Homeless Coalition outreach team. In 2018 this team joined the Cambridge Multi- Disciplinary Outreach Team (MDOT). This group meets weekly in Cambridge to discuss at-risk homeless individuals and families. The group consists of staff from homeless shelters and homeless outreach groups in Cambridge and Somerville, and now Arlington. After meeting, the individuals return to their respective communities and conduct outreach – locating homeless people and offering services.
Attendance at this group has created invaluable relationships with shelter staff, resources and agencies throughout the area. The HOT team also coordinated a Help the Homeless cleanup of the Mugar Woods in November 2019. Together we have found permanent housing for 8 individuals. We continue to deliver food, water and harm reduction materials weekly to many unsheltered people. We offer pathways to mental health and substance use treatment, permanent housing and assistance to shelters.