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.
Houston has been leading the way in helping the unhoused community get back on their feet with permanent housing. So, how are they doing it and where can we improve as a city to help even more in the unhoused community?
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 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).