Homelessness is one of those topics that leaves Americans despairing, but Houston offers hope. Delegations from around the country now troop to Houston to seek lessons, with the mayors of Chicago, Los Angeles and Denver traipsing through this summer.
Funding to four organizations will help to sustain the fight against homelessness in the Houston area.
Houston Endowment today announced a $15 million investment in Houston’s ongoing collaborative effort to reduce homelessness with grants to four key local partners: Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County ($10 million); SEARCH Homeless Services ($3 million); The Beacon ($1 million); and U.S.VETS ($1 million).
Ann Stern, president and CEO of Houston Endowment, and Bob Eury, president of Central Houston Inc., note that Houston has made steady progress toward the goal of ending homelessness and urge all Houstonians to continue to work together toward sustainable solutions.
Houston has created a real system to address homelessness, aligning city, county and nonprofit efforts. That innovative program is now under threat, due to changes in leadership and funding.
Houston’s work to address homelessness has become a model nationwide – but it didn’t happen overnight. Here’s what we learned in 10 years that can help other communities.
Houston Endowment President and CEO Ann Stern reflects on the power of alignment and collaboration to address some of our region’s most important issues.