City of Houston is on a mission to end homelessness

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The City of Houston is on a mission to end homelessness. Hailed as an "outreach surge" by the mayor's office, the latest initiative involves scores of trained volunteers hitting the streets to identify homeless Houstonians and provide long-term housing solutions.

"Anyone who wants to get off the streets today, we will help them out," said Marc Eichenbaum, Deputy Special Assistant to the Mayor for Homeless Initiatives.

The housing program is called "The Way Home" and it aims to provide the chronically homeless with both support services and housing.

"With housing alone, the homeless person won't succeed. With supportive services alone, the homeless person won't succeed. But together an environment of success is created," Eichenbaum explained.

The 11-day initiative focuses on a different council district each day. On Monday roughly 30 trained volunteers covered District J. Their charge: Identify clients who need help, want help, and those who do not.

And while there are some people who do not accept help, Eichenbaum insists the numbers don't lie and that the program works.

"In the last three years we have housed over 2,500 chronically homeless individuals, and over 3,600 homeless veterans in permanent supportive housing," Eeichenbaum said.

For more information on "The Way Home" program go to www.thewayhomehouston.org