West El Paso Police Launch Initiative to Connect Unhoused with Services

New HEART program aims to quickly provide aid and resources to those without shelter

Apr. 16, 2026 at 8:37pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a worn, weathered sleeping bag against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the plight of the unhoused.The HEART initiative aims to quickly connect unhoused individuals with essential services, providing aid to a vulnerable population often overlooked.El Paso Today

The El Paso Police Department has announced a new initiative called HEART (Humanitarian Enforcement Action Response Teams) to help connect unhoused individuals, including veterans and those who have recently lost their homes, with vital services and resources. The program brings together city departments, nonprofits, and volunteers to respond quickly to areas where unhoused people gather and provide them with assistance.

Why it matters

Homelessness is a persistent challenge in many communities, and unhoused individuals often struggle to access the support they need. The HEART initiative represents an effort by the El Paso Police Department to take a more proactive and collaborative approach to addressing this issue and ensuring that vulnerable members of the community receive the help they require.

The details

According to Steven Lopez, a commander at EPPD's Westside Regional Command Center, the goal of HEART is to provide "services and resources to a forgotten demographic" in a timely manner. The program aims to respond to unhoused individuals within 20 minutes, a significant improvement over the 18 hours it previously took to connect them with assistance. HEART brings together various city departments, nonprofits like El Paso Helps and Project Amistad, as well as the El Paso Fire Department and the Opportunity Center to coordinate their efforts.

  • The HEART initiative was announced in April 2026.

The players

Steven Lopez

A commander at the El Paso Police Department's Westside Regional Command Center who oversees the HEART initiative.

El Paso Helps

A local nonprofit organization that is part of the HEART program's collaborative effort to assist unhoused individuals.

Project Amistad

A nonprofit that is also participating in the HEART initiative to provide services and resources to the unhoused population in El Paso.

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What they’re saying

“The goal is to provide services and resources to a forgotten demographic, quickly to people who find themselves without a home or shelter.”

— Steven Lopez, Commander, Westside Regional Command Center, El Paso Police Department

What’s next

The El Paso Police Department plans to launch the HEART initiative citywide "in the very near future."

The takeaway

The HEART initiative represents a proactive and collaborative approach by the El Paso Police Department to address the persistent challenge of homelessness in the community. By quickly connecting unhoused individuals with vital services and resources, the program aims to provide much-needed assistance to a vulnerable population that is often overlooked.