Houston will open a new center to help address the needs of those dealing with homelessness and substance use.
The gist
The Houston Health Department received a $3 million-per-year federal grant for the next four years. The grant will go toward supporting the development and implementation of the Houston Health Respite, Recovery and Transitional Housing (HHRRTH) Center (pronounced “hearth”).
The center is a community-based initiative designed to help those experiencing homelessness, medical illness and serious mental illness or substance use disorder move toward recovery and self-sufficiency, according to a news release.
How it works
The center will provide a coordinated approach to responding to the needs of homeless individuals, particularly those who have been discharged from local hospitals with medical illness, substance use disorder or both.
“This federal funding allows us to rethink the way our local healthcare, mental health, homeless response and supportive services systems operate together to truly change the trajectory of people’s lives,” said Dr. Theresa Tran, director of the Houston Health Department. “The Houston Health Respite, Recovery, and Transitional Housing Center will bring critical services together in one place to provide patients who are ready to recover the most efficient and effective start to building a stable future for themselves.”
The center will bring healthcare, behavioral health, housing and community-based services together, project officials said.
“Medical respite has long existed as a gap that too many of our most vulnerable residents have fallen through,” Tran said. “We are proud to bring this service to Houston and grateful for the partnerships and investments that will make it possible.”
Mayor John Whitmire said he welcomes the funding for the program.
“Delivering stability to the unhoused population we work with is the top goal in the work method my administration is implementing,” he said.
Also of note
Community health workers with lived experience will be available to help build trust and engagement, per the release.
The Harris Center will serve as the program’s clinical behavioral health lead, providing assessments, housing navigation and coordinated entry across systems of care.
An opening date for the center was not available as of press time.
