HOUSTON – Houston Mayor John Whitmire outlined the city’s new $100 million plan that aims to significantly reduce homelessness by leveraging housing-first strategies, partnerships, and community investments.
The mayor’s goal is to reduce the number of individuals sleeping on the streets through outreach, housing, enforcement, and reclaiming public spaces.
“The Supreme Court ruled recently that we can insist that people leave the streets,” Whitmire said. “Now, Houston does have an ordinance that you can sleep on the streets after 11 we’re going address that at city council and say you can no longer have a bed roll and just sleep on the streets of Houston.”
BACKGROUND: Houston mayor says new initiative will help unhoused find a home
The initiative will involve collaboration with organizations such as the Homeless Coalition, the Houston Housing Authority, and Homeland Security. The goal is to transition individuals into temporary housing facilities where they can access essential services, including showers, sanitation facilities, and meals provided by the Food Bank.
Caseworkers will be available to address mental health issues and work towards securing permanent affordable housing or reuniting individuals with their families.
Mayor Whitmire clarified that the approach is not about criminalizing homelessness but about providing a supportive environment.
He said, “You’ve got to have them in a location that you can interview them, provide for them; showers, port-o-cans, the Food Bank will feed them.”
SEE ALSO: Resource guide for unhoused individuals in the Houston area
Key points of the initiative include:
- Permanent housing expansion: The city plans to house up to 7,000 individuals currently experiencing homelessness. This includes building new housing units and converting existing properties into affordable, supportive housing options.
- Supportive services: Alongside housing, the program emphasizes offering services like mental health care, addiction treatment, and job training to help individuals achieve long-term stability.
- Collaboration with partners: The effort involves the Coalition for the Homeless, non-profits, and private sector stakeholders. These partnerships are crucial for scaling resources and implementing programs efficiently.
- Reducing street homelessness: Whitmire highlighted the goal of eliminating visible street homelessness by providing viable alternatives such as temporary and permanent housing.
- Proven results: Houston has already reduced homelessness by nearly 60% since 2011 using similar strategies, showing the efficacy of its housing-first approach.
The mayor’s office has indicated that the plan will be rolled out in the coming weeks as the city works to secure appropriate locations for the initiative
For more details, you can watch the full video below:
