Houston City Council approved an additional $1.1 million to go toward homelessness services for over 700 individuals.
Funding will support SEARCH Homeless Services, a nonprofit that provides interventions, assessments and referrals to services for unhoused individuals. It also includes the Engagement Center, a day shelter that serves individuals with access to other services.
What it means
Through funding, approximately 770 individuals will receive services, including housing case management, navigation and engagement services through the center.
A spokesperson for the city’s Housing and Community Development Department said the program recently served individuals across various services, including:
- Engagement: 819 individuals
- Housing case management: 1,064 individuals
- Navigation services: 101 individuals
- Integrated health care services: 311 individuals
- Peer support services: 125 individuals
Why it matters
City officials also said this supports Mayor John Whitmire’s broader strategy to end street homelessness and aligns with the region’s broader Homeless Response Strategy.
According to the city, SEARCH achieved 100% of its goal as of February 2026. Those goals included connecting homeless individuals with SEARCH’s Engagement Center for information and referrals, and providing housing navigation services, housing case management to help with permanent housing, integrated health care and services to help support individuals toward recovery goals.
One more thing
Despite the program’s reach, officials say demand remains high.
“Safe, clean spaces with food, a bed and supportive services that allow an unhoused person a place to go that is not the street or other place not meant for human habitation are the most in-demand items,” HCD’s spokesperson said.
The additional funding will extend the program through January 2027.
