2017-080 Pebblebrook EncampmentDate: November 3, 2017 Report No. 2017-080
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
Encampment removal in Pebblebrook Park.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
An encampment of homeless individuals located in Pebblebrook Park will be removed on
Monday, November 6, 2017. The encampment is believed to have been there for a year and is
estimated to have had as many as 30 individuals on site. The Street Outreach team has visited
the site on several occasions during this time to provide social service information and referrals.
A recent increase in public safety calls related to the location initiated an assessment of the
encampment site. Staff members from the Parks Department, Police Department, and
Community Development have been in contact over the past two weeks with individuals at the
site in preparation of the encampment removal and clean-up. An estimated 12 individuals
staying on the property will be immediately impacted based on a site visit conducted Monday,
October 30, 2017. City departments are taking a collaborative approach to address the
encampment located on City property and are including social service resources to provide
assistance to affected individuals.
BACKGROUND:
The Denton Parks and Recreation Department is coordinating efforts with the Denton Police
Department, the Denton Fire Department, Community Development, and Solid Waste to remove
an encampment located in Pebblebrook Park near the intersection of Duchess Dr. and Loop 288
on Monday, November 6, 2017. The area is a known gathering place for individuals
experiencing homelessness. Recent activity resulting in an increase of public safety responses
initiated a site assessment of the location. Based on information gathered at a site visit
conducted Monday, October 30, 2017, an estimated 12 individuals staying on the property will
be immediately impacted.
The Street Outreach team first became aware of the encampment a year ago and has maintained
contact with individuals staying at the encampment through their activities. Street Outreach is a
seven member team with representatives from Denton Police, Giving Hope, Denton County
MHMR, and a paramedic from Denton Fire. Their goal is to meet homeless individuals in their
environment and provide them with information on housing, employment, and benefit resources
they may qualify to receive. The encampment has grown considerably in population and area
size since their first encounter with an estimated occupancy peak of 30 individuals.
Staff members from the Parks Department, Police Department, and Community Development
have been in contact over the past two weeks with individuals at the site in preparation of the
encampment removal. Park Maintenance staff, with the assistance of equipment from Solid
Waste, will perform the collection and disposal of trash and debris. Police and Community
Development representatives will be present along with paramedics from the Fire Department to
Date: November 3, 2017 Report No. 2017-080
provide assistance to both Park staff and individuals at the encampment. Street Outreach has
provided information on resources and assistance available to individuals.
Long term, the work of the Denton County Homeless Leadership Team has provided a strong
framework that has improved how the community is addressing homelessness. Tools now in
place like the Coordinated Entry System have enhanced programs such as Street Outreach.
Every person regardless of which program they access for assistance will be assessed and placed
on the community’s Housing Priority List (HPL). This has produced the data necessary to
understand the variety of housing need and, equally important, the gaps in housing our
community faces in order to help people experiencing homelessness move into housing.
Individuals in the HPL system have increased from 25 in 2016 to more than 588 people year to
date.
The framework for identifying those in need and the housing need is now in place and working
well. The challenge now for the Denton County Homeless Leadership Team is to take the data
and develop strategies to fill the gaps in housing.
Additional Resources:
• Denton County Homeless Leadership Team: https://www.unitedwaydenton.org/DCHLT
• Denton County Homeless Coalition: https://endhomelessnessdenton.com/
• Point-In-Time-Count Data https://endhomelessnessdenton.com/infodata/point-in-time-
count/2018-pit-count/#past
ATTACHMENT(S):
Location map and photographs
STAFF CONTACT:
Laura Behrens, Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation
(940) 349 – 7469
laura.behrens@cityofdenton.com
Date: November 3, 2017 Report No. 2017-080
Date: November 3, 2017 Report No. 2017-080