The setup
Houston currently ranks 22nd in the United States for cities with the most homeless people, according to Understanding Houston, a collaborative initiative led by the Greater Houston Community Foundation.
An annual report released in June by the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County showed that approximately 3,280 people experience homelessness in the Houston region, with roughly 1,107 individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness.
"If you don't admit you have a problem, you're never going to solve it," Whitmire said during a Nov. 21 news conference. "Houston, we have a problem. It's not a secret to any of us. Quite frankly, it's not only a Houston problem; it's a state of Texas problem. It's a national problem."
The approach
Whitmire, along with city and county officials, laid out how Houston plans to improve homelessness starting with what's been the city's biggest roadblock—funding.
Michael Nichols, director of the Housing and Community Development Department, said the idea is to have a $70 million year-one funding plan. According to the Small Business Administration, a year-one funding plan is a detailed financial document that outlines the expected income expenses for a project during its first year of operation.
Nichols said the plan starts with the city committing $25 million from various funding streams. He also is expecting Harris County to contribute approximately $20 million to the plan as well as nonprofit organizations donating $15 million and other governmental entities contributing $10 million.
The $70 million will be spent on:
- Outreach
- Rapid rehousing
- Permanent supportive housing
- The Diversion Program
- A navigation center
- Shelter support
- Hub operations
"The only constraints we have in meeting this goal, the only constraints we have to ending homelessness, lies in the funding and the collaboration," Nichols said.
Nichols said the city will look to Texas legislators for sustainable program funding beyond year one. The 89th Texas legislative session starts Jan. 14 and ends June 2.
More details
Whitmire said other details of the program could include implementing further civility ordinances.
Houston's current ordinance, established in 2002, prohibits sitting, lying down or placing personal items on sidewalks between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. in a designated area.
To enact a civility ordinance, property owners must seek the extension from Houston City Council, who vote on the proposition after a public hearing session. There are currently 12 civility zones in Houston.
Whitmire said he believes it's a concept that should be enacted across the entire city. He also is looking to extend the hours of the ordinance to prohibit sleeping on the streets after 9 p.m.
"Today, is a call of action," Whitmire said. "We are going to address Houston's homeless conditions. It's not rocket science. It's us coming together. Everyone who can hear my voice has a role to play. I can't do it by myself."
