In what could be seen as a standout example for other regions grappling with homelessness, Douglas County reports substantial strides in eliminating homelessness within its jurisdiction. According to Douglas County, the summer Point-in-Time count carried out on July 29 indicated a drastic reduction in individuals without a home, down from 43 in 2022 to just six in 2024.
The success is being attributed to the strategic deployment of the Homeless Engagement, Assistance and Resource Team (HEART) and the "Handouts Don’t Help" campaign, initiatives that spearheaded this transformation. Designed to discourage the direct giving of cash to the homeless in traffic and redirect this goodwill towards organizations equipped to manage these funds effectively, the campaign led to an increase in donations to the Douglas County Community Foundation Homeless Relief Fund.
During the point-in-time count, a clear picture of the county's homeless situation emerged. The figures laid bare a 50% reduction in the number of people living in cars or sleeping outdoors since the previous summer. Moreover, neither panhandlers nor multiple-person encampments were encountered throughout the process. This data was made public in a news conference held on August 16, where the details were discussed by the county officials.
Commissioner Abe Laydon, the founder of the Douglas County Homeless Initiative (DCHI), and Sheriff Darren Weekly openly praised the progress of the programs involved. "It’s truly an honor to celebrate the success of the homeless initiative alongside our nearly 400,000 citizens who counted on us to solve a growing problem," Commissioner Laydon said, as per Douglas County. Sheriff Weekly expressed his pride in HEART's daily efforts and emphasized the department's dual approach to connecting those in need with services and enforcing the law.
