Delray Beach counts 94 unhoused people in local point‑in‑time effort; police outreach highlights prevention work

The Delray Beach Police Department on April 7 reported a local point‑in‑time count of 94 people after the county canceled its 2026 count, and described ongoing outreach and prevention work aimed at keeping residents housed.

At a City Commission meeting, outreach staff said the city team conducted 79 interviews and 15 observations during a 16‑hour effort — and that 14 of those observed were transient and not seen again. "This year we had 94," the outreach presenter said, describing the count and the city’s methodology.

The department outlined services provided by its community outreach initiative: meals, showers, laundry and shower trucks, clean clothing, backpacks and toiletries, transportation to medical appointments or job interviews, and assistance obtaining birth certificates and SNAP benefits. Staff also described diversion strategies intended to keep people from entering the shelter system when safe alternatives (family reconnects, short‑term financial assistance) are available.

Police and partner nonprofit staff said prevention funding — largely raised through the Interfaith Committee for Social Services and other local grants — has been used to help nearly 54 families avoid homelessness in southern Palm Beach County. "We've spent about $50,000 to prevent 54 families from becoming homeless," a presenter said, explaining the prevention outreach model.

Presenters highlighted a client success story: an individual known as "Freddy" was connected by officers to county programs (including the Ryan White program), placed temporarily in a motel and then moved into permanent supportive housing, where he obtained full‑time work.

Commissioners and residents praised the outreach effort but repeatedly noted that limited affordable housing inventory constrains placements. "We need more housing," one commissioner said during the discussion.

Chief Daryl Hunter and outreach staff asked the public to report visible illegal activity to the homeless outreach team so the department can engage residents and help connect them to services. The commission did not take formal action; staff said the outreach program will continue and that placements will depend largely on available shelter and housing resources.