The Houston/Harris County Continuum of Care (CoC) recently announced that the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County had received $250,000 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  As the Lead Agency for the Houston/Harris County CoC, the Coalition will use this planning money to conduct the annual Point In Time count, prepare the collaborative application for Continuum of Care funding, staff and manage planning committees and work groups, and facilitate collaboration, among many other responsibilities. 

"HUD has recognized the tremendous collaborative effort and major system change work that is underway here," stated Marilyn L. Brown, President & CEO of the Coalition.  "As we understand it, other CoCs were not awarded their planning money, but with this funding, as well as the recent funding of other new projects, we can continue to move towards our goal of ending chronic and veteran homelessness by 2016."

The Houston/Harris County CoC also announced that it had received funding for three new permanent supportive housing projects from HUD, 130 vouchers to house veterans through the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program, and that the Housing Houston's Heroes initiative surpassed its goal to house 300 veterans in 100 days by the end of July 2013.  (Click here to read more...)

The Homeless Services Coordinating Council met on September 4, at the MHMRA of Harris County Conference Center.  The Homeless Services Coordinating Council provides vital services - collaboration, education, advocacy and coordination - through the distribution of information and resources to serve persons who are or are at risk of becoming homeless in Houston/Harris County and the surrounding areas. Membership in the Coordinating Council also helps reduce the duplication of services and develops a network that promotes and advances the quality of life for those who are homeless.

The September meeting featured a Workforce Development panel including: Heather Muller, Program Manager at SEARCH Homeless Services; William Sala, Vice President of Goodwill Industries; Darryl Harper, Program Coordinator at Career and Recovery Resources, Inc.; and Sandy Shultz, President/CEO of WorkFaith Connection. Other topics covered included a spotlight on Houston Community College's Community Healthworker Internship, Houston/Harris County Continuum of Care updates, and agency announcements.  

For more information on the Homeless Services Coordinating Council, visit our website or contact Gary Grier, Project Manager at the Coalition for the Homeless. 

Houston, TX 77002