The City of Fort Worth continues to forge a path towards mitigating mental health struggles and homelessness with the extension of its High ImpACT Pilot Program, marking six months since its conception, the renewal of the contract comes hand in hand with a $2.2 million investment to further its reach and efficacy, the City of Fort Worth announced.
In reflecting on this initiative, Mayor Mattie Parker highlighted its significance, saying, "In Fort Worth, we are leading on innovative solutions to address complex issues, like the deep impacts of the intersection of unsheltered homelessness and severe mental illness,” and emphasizing the compassionate, tailored efforts which have "lasting impacts not only on our homeless system, but also our neighborhood and business district," as per the City of Fort Worth's press release. Since its May 2024 inception, the pilot has crafted a referral list identifying 98 individuals in need, sourced primarily by the Fort Worth Police Department Neighborhood Police Officers and forged an Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team dedicated to providing intensive, community-based care for severe mental illness alongside offering crucial housing assistance.
As it stands, the triumphs of High ImpACT are notable; 30 individuals have found shelter, most of whom had been without a home for an average of 7.5 years and are typically around the age of 55, those taking up the housing offer reached over 90% acceptance within just half a year, often sealing their fate with a solitary, decisive meeting.
High ImpACT zeroes in on neighborhoods where unsheltered homelessness and severe mental illness have left indelible marks, counting prominent areas like Camp Bowie West/Las Vegas Trail and Downtown in its seven targeted sectors, concurrently, the program’s goals are clear-cut: securing housing for the majority of candidates within half a year of its proposition, ensuring these individuals retain their new homes after a year, and extending a hand to 80 individuals in severe need of mental health services amidst their homelessness.
