The Saint Paul Police Department, in collaboration with nonprofit community based resources, operates the Police Homeless Outreach Program (PHOP). PHOP is part of the Community Outreach and Stabilization Unit (COAST), which provides non-traditional law enforcement services to underserved and vulnerable populations.
PHOP uses awarded grants to provide funding for housing vouchers to give to individuals experiencing homelessness. The goal of the program is to assist individuals in acquiring short-term housing and provide social support and assistance in locating long-term housing solutions.
Each partner in the collaboration holds responsibility for the program’s success. The Saint Paul Police Department provides a PHOP officer who provides outreach services to individuals experiencing homelessness, informs police department responses to homelessness complaints and assists in recommending individuals who qualify to participate in the housing assistance program. Additionally, the PHOP officer assists through a mentoring role for individuals enrolled in the program.
Issued February 26, 2020