PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Wheels are moving on local health officials' plan to implement an outreach program that connects unhoused individuals with resources. 

The controversial camping ordinance was sent to the Board of Health in September 2025, and they have determined it is not the best approach for Pittsfield. It was officially scrapped by the City Council last month. 

After months of consideration and a visit to the Northampton Division of Community Care, the BOH recommends piloting an alternative community response program with two new homeless service coordinators who would begin work in the spring.  

On Wednesday, Cambi presented the board with a draft plan. It aims to strengthen the city's public health response to substance use and related community challenges by implementing a peer outreach program that provides harm reduction support services, navigation, and relationship building with vulnerable residents.  

This includes improving coordination with community partners and enhancing health and environmental conditions in the downtown area. 

The immediate priorities, Cambi said, are to rebuild trust and engagement, promote community understanding, and reduce stigma. 

"The context behind this is that there was a policy put in place that was set as a solution. We heard from community members and service providers about how this wasn't the right approach, and now there's been a shift," he said. 

"The city, including the Health Department, needs to own that change and how we need to rebuild those relationships, because we definitely lost the trust of the public." 

He pointed out that the department has already been doing this work with its public health nurse and community health worker, but this program would expand that outreach. A system will need to be put in place for data and program tracking.