Heat Team

The Heat Team (Homeless Encampment Action Team) was started in March 2025 with a mission to build relationships with those living unsheltered to help resolve homelessness and increase access to resources.

The HEAT team is a multi-disciplinary Street Outreach team consisting of:

• Behavioral Evaluation & Response Team (BEAR)

• City of Winston-Salem Code Enforcement

• City of Winston-Salem Police Department

• City of Winston-Salem Street Outreach Coordinators

• Street outreach workers from local agencies.

The HEAT team provides a trauma informed approach meeting individuals where they are to provide services boots. The team meets monthly to discuss system gaps and resource needs and client interactions. The HEAT team goes to highly populated encampments around Forsyth County every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month providing various resources to those experiencing homelessness.