OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - The Douglas County Sheriff is launching a new initiative to address homelessness, allowing residents to temporarily open their homes to help others in need.

“The housing-first philosophy is strongly held by some,” Sheriff Aaron Hanson says in a video posted to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page Wednesday. “I’m not a huge believer in that philosophy; but I respect the fact that some folks are, and we want to give those folks an opportunity to be able to help.”

Asking residents to “help us house those who are living in tent encampments in Douglas County,” DCSO launched the Sheltering Assistance Program as “a way for those who are passionate about providing housing first to directly help by opening their homes to someone in need,” the post states.

“T

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