Houston looks to launch an early childhood development program for low-to-moderate-income families

Members of the Quality of Life Committee reviewed $100,000 in grant funds during a Nov. 3 meeting for its SEARCH Homeless Services to create an early childhood development program for low-to-moderate-income families in Houston.

What to know

According to the presentation, the program will provide comprehensive early childhood education to 20 children ages 21 months to 5 years and will include support services to families such as case management, counseling and referral services, transportation and parenting classes designed to reduce barriers and increase household financial stability.

Michael Nichols, Housing and Community Development Department director, and Assistant Director Melanie Parr recommended the grant through SEARCH’s Foshee Family House of Tiny Treasures, a nationally accredited preschool program that provides developmentally focused early childhood education in Houston.

The program's terms will be from Dec. 1, 2025, to Oct. 31, 2026, according to the agenda packet.

“As we continue to provide those services, we need to gather around to support the housing stability pieces, and child care is one of those pieces so that people can go back to work,” Parr said.

Also on the agenda

Parr also recommended providing up to $376,669 in Emergency Solution Grant and Community Development Block Grant funds to the Rapid Re-housing Case Management services to a minimum of 100 households experiencing homelessness.

“Rapid re-housing is for those people who are not really eligible for permanent housing, they're not disabled, they're not elderly, and they need two years to really get on their feet, but again, it's never given without services going around,” Nichols said.

What's next

Both items will be brought to the Houston City Council meeting Nov. 19 for a vote.