Birmingham Partners with Urban Alchemy for New Homeless Engagement Program
Birmingham is taking a big step towards supporting its homeless community with a new initiative that aims to bring meaningful change. The city has just signed a $1.7-million contract with Urban Alchemy, a nonprofit organization based in San Francisco. This program will not only help unhoused individuals find housing but will also provide job opportunities for people who have experienced incarceration.
What’s the Plan?
The deal promises to bring various support services to the city, including a call center dedicated to addressing the needs of the homeless population. Urban Alchemy plans to kick off the call center in January 2025, employing a team of nearly 20 individuals. These team members are not your average workers; they have lived the experiences of homelessness, incarceration, and other challenging situations. That means they come with a unique understanding and an empathetic approach.
Kirkpatrick Tyler, who serves as Urban Alchemy’s Chief of Community and Government Relations, highlighted the importance of having people who understand what the unhoused population is going through. He explained, “It’s a person coming to them with lived experience, with an empathetic ear and an understanding of what they’ve gone through.”
The HEART Team
The program will officially roll out the Homeless Engagement Assistance Response Team, otherwise known as HEART. This community-based initiative will respond to non-emergency situations involving homeless individuals instead of police. Currently, these types of calls often lead to police involvement, which can sometimes escalate the situation.
Tyler further elaborated, “When an unhoused neighbor is in crisis, they tend to panic when an armed officer shows up. This can lead to unwanted escalation.” The HEART team aims to de-escalate these situations by connecting individuals in crisis to the resources they need, such as shelter and medical care.
A Commitment to Safety
Though the HEART program might be a new approach, the team will not shy away from involving emergency services when necessary. If a situation becomes threatening or requires medical attention, the team members won’t hesitate to call for help. The aim is for community members, both housed and unhoused, to feel safer and more supported in their neighborhoods.
Focus on Local Solutions
What makes this program so special is the commitment to hire individuals from within the community, especially those with personal experiences similar to those they will serve. Over half of Urban Alchemy’s employees have faced long-term incarceration, homelessness, mental health struggles, or addiction. This focus on local hiring not only builds trust but also fosters a direct understanding of the community’s needs.
Previous Successes and Challenges
Urban Alchemy has implemented similar programs in cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles, experiencing success through a hands-on and understanding approach. However, it’s not without challenges. Tyler mentioned accusations they have faced in other locations, but reassured that they have always been cleared of any wrongdoing, emphasizing their commitment to serving communities responsibly and effectively.
Looking Ahead
Birmingham Mayor Randall L. Woodfin expressed enthusiasm about this new partnership, noting, “These residents deserve specialized services and care, and we aim to support them using our best resources.” The impact of this program could be transformative, not only for the unhoused community but for Birmingham as a whole.
As the city moves forward, Urban Alchemy is also vying for another contract to manage a tiny home community aimed at helping homeless residents, showing their commitment to addressing homelessness in a comprehensive way.
This program is a significant step towards making Birmingham a more compassionate city, one that acknowledges and actively addresses the challenges faced by its most vulnerable residents. If you’re interested in learning more about the HEART Birmingham program, you can visit their website for additional details.
