What we reported

An annual count administered by area nonprofit organizations indicated the number of homeless individuals in the Greater Houston area decreased 60 percent from 2011 to 2017. Experts said they believe a shift in how organizations help the homeless and the opening of organizations such as H.O.P.E. Haven in 2015 has played a role in this change.

The latest

A shelter that works to help homeless individuals—the 1960 Hope Center, located on FM 1960—is looking to move to a larger facility where it can accommodate more people. To achieve this goal, the center launched a donation campaign in 2017 to raise the $1.3 million needed to fund and furnish a new space.

What’s next

Hurricane Harvey displaced thousands of people throughout the Greater Houston area, Including Spring, but the extent of how many of those individuals are permanently displaced is yet to be determined, according to area nonprofits. Representatives from the groups that  administer the annual count will have a better idea of the storm’s effect on the area’s homeless population when the count is completed in early 2018. This story is one update from The January Issue. View the full list of Top 8 stories to follow in 2018 here.