PROGRAMS

Street Outreach & Emergency Sheltering (Operation Warm Heart)

The Elizabeth Coalition’s Operation Warm Heart has evolved to meet the changing needs of individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness. Rather than overnight stays in houses of worship, the program now focuses on connecting individuals to safe, temporary shelter and ongoing support.

Through our Street Outreach and Motel Sheltering programs, outreach staff engage individuals living outdoors, build trust, and connect them to critical resources. During extreme weather conditions, individuals are placed in temporary motel accommodations, providing immediate safety from life-threatening elements while serving as a bridge to longer-term housing solutions.

In 2025, ECHH encountered 164 unsheltered households through street outreach efforts, with 65% engaging in ongoing case management services. Through our motel sheltering program, 145 households (209 individuals) received emergency shelter and support.

These efforts are paired with intensive case management, helping individuals access identification, healthcare, income opportunities, and permanent housing pathways. By combining immediate relief with long-term support, Operation Warm Heart continues to serve as a critical entry point for some of the community’s most vulnerable residents.