Community leaders speak on new program to help homeless people in Birmingham [Video]

BIRMINGHAM, Ala (WIAT) — The City of Birmingham has announced a partnership with the organization Urban Alchemy to kick start the Homeless Engagement Assistance Response Team (HEART) Birmingham, a program meant to serve unhoused people in crisis.

The city has invested $1.7 million in this community based public safety program.

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Kirkpatrick Tyler with Urban Alchemy said HEART intends to provide a safe space for homeless individuals and those in mental crisis.

Instead of police officers responding to non-emergency crisis calls involving homeless individuals or people in a mental crisis, a specialized team will respond, help deescalate and provide resources to help them.

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“Nobody wants to feel like we’re in trouble when we’re going through crisis,” said Tyler.

Tyler said the teams are made up of community members who …