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ENDING STREET HOMELESSNESS: 
HOUSTON'S BOLD COMMITMENT

Houston has made remarkable strides in reducing homelessness, yet there are still individuals who face the severe risks of living on the streets each night. 

Mayor John Whitmire's Homelessness Fundamental Strategy charts a path to ending street homelessness by 2026, ensuring every individual has access to safe, permanent housing and tailored support services. 

Why It Matters

Ending street homelessness is about creating a healthier, safer and more compassionate Downtown for everyone. 

This plan prioritizes immediate solutions through a "Housing First" approach, seeking to address a systemic flaw in the existing strategy, which often leaves people waiting on the streets while housing applications process.

Research shows that leaving individuals unhoused costs up to $50,000 annually per person, compared to $23,500 for housing with supportive services. 

By increasing front door drop-off efforts, it ensures that vulnerable individuals gain quicker access to stable housing while seamlessly connecting them to supportive services. This proactive strategy not only reduces time spent on the streets but also fosters dignity and long-term well-being for those in need. 

Key Components

  • Holistic Support Services
    • Tailored care for individuals, addressing housing, behavioral health and recovery needs.
  • Stronger Partnerships
    • A coordinated effort among over 100 nonprofit organizations to streamline outreach, housing placement and service access.
  • Enhanced Public Safety Collaboration
    • Partnering with law enforcement to ensure safer streets while maintaining a compassionate approach.
  • Sustainable Funding
    • Initial $30 million federal investment with plans to secure long-term support through state, local and philanthropic partnerships.
    • Downtown Management District Board members voted for $1 million of supportive funding toward this strategy.
  • Immediate Action
    • Downtown serves as a starting point for the plan's immediate actions, helping connect people to services while revitalizing public spaces to be welcoming and accessible for all. 

Leadership Team

  • Mike Nichols: City of Houston Housing Director, leading affordable housing efforts.
  • Kelly Young: CEO, Coalition for the Homeless, coordinating nonprofit partnerships.
  • Wayne Young: CEO, The Harris Center, advancing behavioral health solutions.
  • Larry Satterwhite: City of Houston Director of Public Safety, fostering safe, supportive environments.

This initiative represents Houston's dedication to a compassionate, cost-effective and sustainable solution to homelessness. By uniting resources and expertise, we're creating a Downtown Houston where everyone can thrive. 

OUR COMPASSIONATE APPROACH TO HOMELESSNESS

Historical Footprint

Central Houston, Inc., an arm of Downtown Houston+, paved a path toward a brighter future for people experiencing homelessness in our region through coordinated efforts that created The Way Home: 

The Way Home: A united endeavor sparked by Central Houston, Inc. in 2011, to curb homelessness via permanent housing and inclusive services.  

Unity in Action: Over 100 partners unite under this initiative, ranging from homeless service agencies to local governmental bodies, public housing sectors, and various nonprofits. The influence spans Harris, Fort Bend, and Montgomery counties, Texas.

The Objective: To make episodes of homelessness rare, short-lived, and non-repetitive in our locality.

Expand Your Understanding

For an immersive look into Houston's robust approach against homelessness, watch an educational 10-minute video. 

Downtown+ Making a Difference

Funding from the Houston Downtown Management District is revolutionizing the battle against homelessness. Here's how: 

  • SEARCH Homeless Services: An ensemble of street outreach professionals aiming to bridge the homeless with essential resources. 
    • Outreach Specialist: 
      • Educates the homeless on available aids. 
      • Executes the housing evaluations through the Coordinated Access framework.
    • Clinical Case Manager: 
      • Dedicatedly aids 15 high-requirement individuals on their path to housing. 
      • Stays committed for 90 days post-accommodation to ensure a smooth transition. 
    • Peer Specialist: 
      • Offers guidance rooted in personal experiences. 
      • Assists with identification, applications, and medical evaluations.
  • Chronic Consumer Assistance Program: A specialized contract service aimed at intensive care coordination and mental wellness. The team comprises: 
    • Harris Center Mental Health Case Manager + Harris County Sheriff's Office Deputy:
      • Harris Center Clinician assists chronically homeless people with mental health challenges, taking referrals from the Downtown Management District or SEARCH.
      • A Deputy Sheriff from Harris County, trained in homeless outreach, partners full-time with the Harris Center case manager to engage with individuals and provide necessary transport to facilities.
    • Downtown Public Safety Guides: The vigilant eyes and ears of Downtown Houston. While ensuring safety, they often connect with homeless people, gaining their trust and steering them towards supportive services. 

Shared Regional Success

The Way Home, through collective endeavors, has yielded tangible results: 

  • A striking 61% decrease in overall homelessness since 2011. 
  • A commendable 28,000+ individuals have been housed since 2012. 
  • Housing programs have a ~90% success rate (don't return to homelessness within two years).

Together, we strive to make homelessness in Houston rare, brief, and non-recurring. With every step, we aim to ensure that every individual has a chance to find stability, every moment of homelessness is short-lived, and every journey to a secure life is enduring.   

To learn how you can help reshape the future of our community and positively impact lives, visit The Coalition for the Homeless. 

Coalition for the Homeless