Houston and Harris County are once again at odds, this time over how to allocate millions in funding to tackle homelessness, with both governments offering conflicting narratives on how the money will be used.
Recent developments have sparked a new wave of tension between the City of Houston and Harris County, as both entities find themselves at odds regarding the allocation of funds for homelessness initiatives.
The divide centers on the $8 million recently approved by the Harris County Commissioners Court for initiatives addressing homelessness, which officials in Houston claim will directly support Mayor John Whitmire’s Homelessness Action Plan.
County officials have responded with resistance. Harris County Housing Director Thao Costis emphasized that the funds are not designated for what she referred to as the mayor’s downtown initiative. Instead, they will be allocated to support a broader countywide strategy through collaborations with organizations such as the Coalition for the Homeless.
Houston Housing Director Mike Nichols asserted that the funds would address a crucial gap in Whitmire’s $70 million objective to “end street homelessness.” City officials have currently secured $30 million and are now looking to reallocate $12.5 million from unspent Hurricane Harvey recovery funds to support the initiative.
The City Council has given the green light to redirect disaster recovery funds, which were initially earmarked for home buyouts and revitalization, to establish support hubs for homelessness. These encompass shelters in both central and suburban areas managed by nonprofit organizations.
The proposal is pending approval from both the Texas General Land Office and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Critics, such as Texas Housers, contend that the diversion improperly allocates resources intended for sustained disaster recovery efforts.
The results of these initiatives will probably influence whether Whitmire’s primary strategy for addressing homelessness advances or remains hindered by financial limitations and political disagreements.
