SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The city of Springfield cleared a homeless camp last week, prompting outcry from the community.

Tonight's city council meeting created a space where the Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) were able to explain what services they provide to the community. But it also opened them to feedback from the board.

The HOT offers services like helping unhoused people get important documentation like IDs, birth certificates, and social security cards.
 
It also assist in all aspects of finding housing and a job, including counseling services and transportation. They also connect individuals with substance abuse treatment programs.
 
"We do outreach every day of the week." explained Shanon Allen, Community Care Coordinator for the HOT. "We run into different individuals all day every day."
 
Officer Mike Newman and Shannon Allen are the backbone of the Homeless Outreach Team in Springfield. To streamline their process they say they need at least three more employees on their staff.
 
"I don't want there to be the misconception that we can pick someone who's underqualified to fill that role." said Ethan Posey, Director Community Relations for Springfield. "It has to be someone who is licensed and qualified to help deal with mental health issues, in order to help rebuild that trust. In order to help build up that rapport with the individuals and get us to the point where we can try again to get them into a shelter."
 
Council members say they support the important work the HOT does, but that they need to communicate more clearly about budget reports.
 
Over the years, Springfield has put hundreds of thousands of dollars into programming for the HOT and service providers, but homelessness is still an epidemic in the city.
 
Alderman Gregory say he wants the HOT to notify city leaders before clearing homeless encampments.
 
Mayor Buscher assured the council that Springfield police and the HOT have agreed to better communicate ahead of larger scale operations.
 
"I will say that the department did not think that doing their daily job was going to be such a big problem, but that we've had the conversation with them. We've asked them to think in advance and have conversations." said Buscher.

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