mohs street outreach team

MOHS Street Outreach Team

Outreach Teams help people by giving them important services like a place to stay, housing, medical or addiction treatment, food, rides, connections to resources, and someone to speak up for them.

Learn More About the Outreach Team

How We Help the City's Homeless

Street Outreach Resources and Information

 

Street Outreach Map

City-funded Outreach Teams provide daily outreach to people experiencing unsheltered homelessness in all 14 Baltimore City council districts.

View the Map

Street Outreach Brochure

The Baltimore City Street Outreach Brochure includes information about the Baltimore City Shelter Hotline, food, health care, youth services, and more.

Read the Brochure

Resource Map

An interactive resource map for community members to connect with organizations that provide essential resources and services needed to thrive.

Explore the Interactive Map
better baltimore image for homeless services

Encampment Identification & Resolution

Outreach workers, led by the MOHS, all work together to find houses for people living on the street and clean up encampment sites.

What is an encampment?

An encampment is a place outside on public land where one or more people are living for a short time, usually in tents or similar shelters. It can also be a spot where people keep their personal belongings, even if they aren’t there at the time.

What doesn't qualify as an encampment?

An encampment is not:

  • A home or shelter built on private property

  • A daytime hangout without tents or other temporary shelters

  • A place where someone sleeps for a short time without setting up a living space or leaves with all their things

  • A spot with movable items like shopping carts or strollers

  • A place where people ask for money but don’t have tents or other shelters

  • A pile of trash left in a public space

Why can't people live in encampments?

The health and safety of all residents is the City's main concern. Living in outdoor spaces not meant for humans to live may lead to a number of health and safety issues.

Why do some individuals decline shelter and support services?

Shelter and services are optional, and people can choose to accept or refuse them.

Some reasons a person might say no to shelter include:

  • They feel connected to the neighborhood where their encampment is

  • They had bad experiences in shelters before

  • They have mental health or substance use challenges

What steps are taken to close an encampment?

Encampments will only be closed if people are offered housing, shelter, and other important resources.

Moving people without giving them other options can cause more stress and problems. Our teams work to share as much information as possible about shelter, housing, and resources that fit each person’s or family’s needs.

As of January 2024, Outreach Teams track 27 known encampment sites across the City, a 40% decrease from the number of encampment sites recorded in 2023.

Encampment Resolution Protocol

Homeless Outreach Request

Community members concerned for residents living outdoors can report it to MOHS or Baltimore City 311 Services.

If the Outreach workers know about a place where people are camping, they can tell you about it. If they don't know, they'll go check it out. If someone is in danger right now, call 911. If someone needs help with their emotional health, call 988.

Report an Encampment Site

Submit 311 Request

You may also submit a ticket to Baltimore City 311 Services if you are concerned about a neighbor experiencing homelessness.

Create Ticket

Contact Us

Phone Number

410-545-1862
Call Outreach

Email

HomelessOutreach@baltimorecity.gov
Email Outreach