City of Houston housing department recommends approving millions in grants for homeless initiatives

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- As the City of Houston continues to tackle homelessness, the city department tasked with trying to help people find stable housing has proposed some changes to funding for some its programs.

On Monday, the City's Housing and Community Development Department made recommendations for amendments to current agreements, and recommendations for new contracts.

One of the new agreements was for the Beacon of Downtown Houston.

"Recipient agreement with the Beacon of Downtown Houston, providing up to an additional $485,000 in community development block grant funds for case management and diversion, rapid resolution services for households experiencing or an imminent risk of homelessness," HCD Assistant Director Melody Barr said.

Barr said the Beacon will serve as a centralized center and access point that provides individualized wraparound case management to connect households with housing support services and community-based resources.

"Resolve housing instability quickly, and reduce reliance on emergency shelter and long-term homelessness or homeless services," Barr said.

Recommendations included new contracts with the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.

One contract was worth more than $1.28 million and would support the Texas Homeless Housing and Services Program.

"The general set-aside funds must be used for activities that eliminate or prevent homelessness," Barr said. Eligible activities include the construction, development, or acquisition of housing for persons experiencing homelessness."

This comes at a time when just a few months ago, the city opened a facility at 419 Emancipation that's been dubbed the homeless "super hub." It is a space that houses people experiencing homelessness.

ABC13 reached out to HCD and asked for any updates on the super hub, as well as data for how many people have been unhoused in Houston over the last few years. The department said they are working on our request.