City of Houston, Harris County and Coalition for the Homeless Announce Joint $65M Plan to House 5,000 People Experiencing Homelessness
Catherine Villarreal • July 1, 2020
Coordinated permanent housing initiative will limit the spread of COVID-19
The City of Houston, Harris County, and the Coalition for the Homeless today announced a joint, $65-million plan to house 5,000 people experiencing homelessness over the next two years to limit the spread of COVID-19. The Community-wide COVID-19 Housing Program (CCHP)
represents an unprecedented coordinated effort on the part of the City and the County to address homelessness in the region.
Due to underlying health conditions and a lack of access to facilities, people experiencing homelessness are more susceptible to the novel coronavirus and are at higher risk of experiencing severe symptoms.
The CCHP will permanently house people who are currently experiencing literal homelessness (e.g., living in shelters, encampments or on the streets) as well as those who may fall into homelessness as a result of the economic effects of the coronavirus.
“This program is vital to protect the health of at-risk, homeless individuals, prevent potential communal spread to other populations, and assist those forced into homelessness by COVID-19,” said Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. “This crisis response program will also have a major long-term impact, permanently housing 5,000 individuals experiencing homelessness and significantly reducing our homeless population to record lows. Homelessness knows no geographical boundaries. I am grateful for the County’s partnership, for this is truly a watershed opportunity that will benefit all who call Houston and Harris County home.”
The City of Houston has dedicated $29 million and Harris County has allocated $18 million to this groundbreaking endeavor. The City and County are utilizing a variety of federal funds, including significant funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
“Together, we are making the single largest investment in addressing chronic homelessness in our region’s history,” said Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo. “Meaningful change happens when we work together to think outside the box, shift paradigms and invest in innovative solutions. This is the beginning of a new approach here in Harris County and it’s going to take continued effort from all of us. I look forward to applying solutions that are compassionate, that work, and that save taxpayer dollars in the long term.”
“I made a commitment early in my administration to address the issue of homelessness in Harris County, and for that reason I am grateful to the Coalition for the Homeless, the partner agencies of The Way Home, my fellow members of Commissioners Court who voted in favor of the funding, and the City of Houston for their financial commitment,” said Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia, who brought the funding request before the county court on June 30, where it was approved unanimously. “Our combined investment will dramatically reduce chronic homelessness in the City of Houston and throughout Harris County, and I am confident it will become a model for others to emulate. Now more than ever, with the current COVID-19 crisis putting so many people’s living situations at an increased risk, having access to stable housing options is vital for the entire community’s health.”
“During this unprecedented time, taking care of the most vulnerable among us must be a priority,” said Harris County Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis. “The continuing economic crisis could push even more people who were already struggling before the pandemic deeper into poverty and possibly homelessness. I am proud that this collaboration will help us address this challenge by providing stable housing for 5,000 individuals and families over the next two years. Caring for those most in need makes our entire community healthier and safer.”
The Coalition for the Homeless helped to coordinate the planning efforts and will lead the implementation of the CCHP, expected to begin in August. The nonprofit Coalition for the Homeless is the lead agency to the local homeless response system The Way Home.
“We are so appreciative that the City and the County have decided to join forces in this effort,” said Mike Nichols, president & CEO of the Coalition. “We will continue to work with them on implementation and to secure the remaining funds. Together with the service providers of The Way Home, we will build a healthier, more resilient community and make tangible progress toward our goal of making homelessness in our region rare, brief, and non-recurring.”
The CCHP will include several forms of intervention depending on individuals’ level of need, including the following:
The CCHP also involves expanding homeless outreach to those living unsheltered outside of Houston’s urban core; mental health case management for high-risk individuals; and additional support for emergency shelters, including those for survivors of domestic violence, to help them implement CDC health and safety recommendations.
This ambitious program will also require private philanthropic support in strategic areas where public funding cannot be used and that will keep people successful in housing over the long term. Local property managers will also have a key role to play in solving homelessness.
The 2020 Point-in-Time Homeless Count & Survey, the results of which the Coalition released June 23, found approximately 3,700 people experiencing literal homelessness in Harris County, including approximately 2,200 sheltered and 1,500 unsheltered. The night of record for the 2020 Homeless Count was January 27, 2020; the Count represents the number of people experiencing homelessness on a single day in the region.
It is not known how many people in the region will fall into homelessness as a result of the coronavirus. The CCHP proposes to quickly and permanently house as many people as possible, as soon as possible, so that the local homeless response system will be prepared to meet the needs of the newly homeless in the coming months.
Due to underlying health conditions and a lack of access to facilities, people experiencing homelessness are more susceptible to the novel coronavirus and are at higher risk of experiencing severe symptoms.
The CCHP will permanently house people who are currently experiencing literal homelessness (e.g., living in shelters, encampments or on the streets) as well as those who may fall into homelessness as a result of the economic effects of the coronavirus.
“This program is vital to protect the health of at-risk, homeless individuals, prevent potential communal spread to other populations, and assist those forced into homelessness by COVID-19,” said Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. “This crisis response program will also have a major long-term impact, permanently housing 5,000 individuals experiencing homelessness and significantly reducing our homeless population to record lows. Homelessness knows no geographical boundaries. I am grateful for the County’s partnership, for this is truly a watershed opportunity that will benefit all who call Houston and Harris County home.”
The City of Houston has dedicated $29 million and Harris County has allocated $18 million to this groundbreaking endeavor. The City and County are utilizing a variety of federal funds, including significant funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
“Together, we are making the single largest investment in addressing chronic homelessness in our region’s history,” said Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo. “Meaningful change happens when we work together to think outside the box, shift paradigms and invest in innovative solutions. This is the beginning of a new approach here in Harris County and it’s going to take continued effort from all of us. I look forward to applying solutions that are compassionate, that work, and that save taxpayer dollars in the long term.”
“I made a commitment early in my administration to address the issue of homelessness in Harris County, and for that reason I am grateful to the Coalition for the Homeless, the partner agencies of The Way Home, my fellow members of Commissioners Court who voted in favor of the funding, and the City of Houston for their financial commitment,” said Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia, who brought the funding request before the county court on June 30, where it was approved unanimously. “Our combined investment will dramatically reduce chronic homelessness in the City of Houston and throughout Harris County, and I am confident it will become a model for others to emulate. Now more than ever, with the current COVID-19 crisis putting so many people’s living situations at an increased risk, having access to stable housing options is vital for the entire community’s health.”
“During this unprecedented time, taking care of the most vulnerable among us must be a priority,” said Harris County Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis. “The continuing economic crisis could push even more people who were already struggling before the pandemic deeper into poverty and possibly homelessness. I am proud that this collaboration will help us address this challenge by providing stable housing for 5,000 individuals and families over the next two years. Caring for those most in need makes our entire community healthier and safer.”
The Coalition for the Homeless helped to coordinate the planning efforts and will lead the implementation of the CCHP, expected to begin in August. The nonprofit Coalition for the Homeless is the lead agency to the local homeless response system The Way Home.
“We are so appreciative that the City and the County have decided to join forces in this effort,” said Mike Nichols, president & CEO of the Coalition. “We will continue to work with them on implementation and to secure the remaining funds. Together with the service providers of The Way Home, we will build a healthier, more resilient community and make tangible progress toward our goal of making homelessness in our region rare, brief, and non-recurring.”
The CCHP will include several forms of intervention depending on individuals’ level of need, including the following:
- Diversion: A program to help approximately 2,000 people maintain or regain housing so that they do not have to enter emergency shelter. Assistance may be financial (i.e., up to three months’ rent) or may include family mediation or creative problem-solving.
- Rapid rehousing: Short-term (up to 12 months’) rental assistance and light services for those who do not require intensive case management, for approximately 1,700 newly homeless people.
- A “bridge” to permanent supportive housing (PSH): Housing for approximately 1,000 people currently experiencing chronic homelessness — including those living unsheltered and/or in encampments — while they await a PSH unit.
The CCHP also involves expanding homeless outreach to those living unsheltered outside of Houston’s urban core; mental health case management for high-risk individuals; and additional support for emergency shelters, including those for survivors of domestic violence, to help them implement CDC health and safety recommendations.
This ambitious program will also require private philanthropic support in strategic areas where public funding cannot be used and that will keep people successful in housing over the long term. Local property managers will also have a key role to play in solving homelessness.
The 2020 Point-in-Time Homeless Count & Survey, the results of which the Coalition released June 23, found approximately 3,700 people experiencing literal homelessness in Harris County, including approximately 2,200 sheltered and 1,500 unsheltered. The night of record for the 2020 Homeless Count was January 27, 2020; the Count represents the number of people experiencing homelessness on a single day in the region.
It is not known how many people in the region will fall into homelessness as a result of the coronavirus. The CCHP proposes to quickly and permanently house as many people as possible, as soon as possible, so that the local homeless response system will be prepared to meet the needs of the newly homeless in the coming months.
Houston, Texas (June 12, 2026) — The Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County (CFTH) today released the results of the 2026 Point-in-Time Count & Survey as part of the inaugural State of Homelessness in Houston report, a regional effort that combines PIT Count data with additional system indicators to provide a broader understanding of homelessness and system response across Harris, Fort Bend, and Montgomery counties. The report found 3,321 people experiencing homelessness on a single night in February 2026, reflecting relative stability compared to the 2025 Point-in-Time Count of 3,325. At the same time, the data highlights continued challenges related to unsheltered homelessness, economic and housing pressures, and the ongoing need for coordinated regional investment in homeless response and prevention efforts. This year’s report expands beyond the annual Point-in-Time (PIT) Count to include additional indicators generated through the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and HUD System Performance Measures (SPMs). Together, these measures provide additional context about year-round interactions with the homeless response system, housing stability outcomes, and inflow into homelessness over time. "The Point-in-Time Count is like a photograph," said Renee Cavazos-Benavides, vice president of the homeless response system at CFTH . "It captures an important moment, but there is always more happening outside the frame. That's why this year's report includes additional indicators that help us understand how people move into homelessness, how they move back into housing, and where we need to focus our efforts as a community." Key findings from the report include: 3,321 people experiencing homelessness during the February 2026 PIT Count 35,988 unique clients served through the homeless response system, The Way Home, during calendar year 2025 2,135 households housed by partners of The Way Home during calendar year 2025 7,110 people entering homelessness for the first time during federal FY25 85% of people who exited homelessness remained stably housed over a two-year period The PIT Count found 2,051 sheltered individuals and 1,270 unsheltered individuals across Harris, Fort Bend, and Montgomery counties. "The additional data shows our system is doing a great job maintaining our progress, in spite of additional economic stressors and pandemic funding having been exhausted,” said Kelly Young, president and CEO of CFTH . “Further progress will depend not only on additional investments in housing and services but also on our ability to expand new interventions to resolve homelessness more quickly." More than half of unsheltered individuals identified during the PIT Count had a matching HMIS record, reflecting ongoing engagement between outreach teams and people experiencing unsheltered homelessness. The findings underscore the continued need for outreach, additional pathways indoors, and sustained local investment to maintain system stability and respond to changing community needs. “The Point-in-Time Count gives our community a chance to pause and check in with people who may not yet be housed, sheltered, or consistently connected to services,” said Dr. Ben King, clinical assistant professor at the University of Houston Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine . “It helps us capture information that does not always show up in routine system data — including where people are staying, what barriers they are facing, and what they identify as the causes of their homelessness. Used alongside HMIS data, program performance measures, and community input, the PIT Count remains an important tool to answer questions we wouldn't get to ask otherwise." The annual PIT Count is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and helps communities measure trends in homelessness over time. However, the PIT Count does not represent the total number of people who experience homelessness throughout the year. The 2026 State of Homelessness in Houston report combines PIT Count data with other key indicators to provide a more complete picture of homelessness across the region. Behind every number is a person, and a better understanding of homelessness helps communities respond more effectively. "The results remind us that homelessness is one of the most complex challenges facing our city. This is why the 419 Emancipation resource living facility is so important. We will continue working with stakeholders to move people off the streets and provide them with assistance, with the goal of reducing homelessness throughout our community and our neighborhoods," said Mayor John Whitmire. “I’m so proud that Harris County has reduced homelessness by more than 16% between 2018 and 2026, even when most other communities have seen homelessness skyrocket. We’re tackling the issue from both ends: we’re investing in programs to prevent poverty and promote economic mobility, and we’re also prioritizing safe and stable housing for those experiencing homelessness. Our community is only as successful as our most vulnerable residents, and I want to thank the Coalition for the Homeless, The Way Home, and all of our other local partners who have helped turn Harris County into a national model for reducing homelessness,” said Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo. "The 2026 Point-in-Time Count confirms that our region has remained stable while homelessness has increased in many other parts of the country. However, stability is not enough when over a thousand of our neighbors are still sleeping outside. I’m grateful to the Coalition for the Homeless, The Way Home, outreach teams, law enforcement, service providers, and volunteers for showing that a coordinated local approach can help move people from crisis toward housing,” said Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia . “As a former street cop and sheriff, I know we do not solve homelessness by simply moving people from one place to another. We solve it by treating people with dignity, connecting them to services, and creating real pathways to housing. I remain committed to working with our partners to prevent homelessness, support our veterans and most vulnerable residents, and make homelessness rare, brief, and nonrecurring in Harris County." “Harris County’s stability in the Point‑in‑Time Count stands out against the sharp increase in homelessness seen nationwide since the pandemic,” said Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones . “These results reflect years of continued investment in strengthening partnerships and expanding critical services, including two new emergency shelters for survivors of domestic violence. We know there is much more work ahead, and I remain committed to working alongside our partners to prevent and ultimately end homelessness in our community.” “Even with limited new funding and few new programs launched during this reporting period, Houston has remained relatively stable. What this latest data underscores is the need to continue investing in service-connected solutions like 419 Emancipation,” said Mike Nichols, Director of the City of Houston Housing and Community Development Department . “Now that 419 is operational, we are optimistic this triage, transition, and treatment model will help connect more individuals to care, services, and clear pathways toward stability. Behind every number is a real person, and our goal is to ensure more Houstonians are connected to the right support and a stronger path forward.” The full report and methodology appendix are available online here. The executive summary is available online here. The State of Homelessness report is available online here. For more information about the PIT Count and The Way Home homeless response system, visit www.cfthhouston.org. For more information and for results of previous years’ counts, please click here . For photos and B roll of volunteers conducting this year’s PIT Count, click here . ### The Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County (CFTH) is the backbone of Houston’s solutions to homelessness. It’s a nonprofit organization that uses the power of collective impact to move people experiencing homelessness into housing solutions. Learn more at www.cfthhouston.org . The Way Home is the homeless response system for Houston and Harris, Fort Bend, and Montgomery counties. It’s a public-private partnership — a network of dozens of homeless service providers and other government, philanthropic, and business partners. The Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County (CFTH), a 501c3, is the designated coordinator of The Way Home.
Every year, Houston’s Point-in-Time (PIT) Count helps provide a snapshot of homelessness across the region. But as speakers emphasized during CFTH Presents: The PIT Count — Behind the Numbers , no single number can fully explain homelessness, or the work required to address it. Hosted by the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County (CFTH), the discussion brought together leaders from outreach, data systems, and public health to explore how Houston measures homelessness, why the PIT Count matters, and how year-round data helps guide the region’s homelessness response system.
Houston, Texas (February 24, 2026) – This week, the nonprofit Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County (CFTH) is leading the annual Point-in-Time Homeless Count & Survey (“PIT Count”) to determine the number of people experiencing homelessness across Houston and throughout Harris, Fort Bend, and Montgomery counties. “We may see a slight uptick in the number this year, but we have a plan,” said Kelly Young, President & CEO of CFTH. “With the support of the City of Houston, Harris County, and private funders, we have been piloting new interventions to shorten the length of time people in our region experience homelessness. With adequate funding, we look forward to expanding those interventions to help people regain lives of self-determination.” CFTH coordinates the Houston region’s public-private homeless response system, The Way Home . Through this collaboration, The Way Home partners have successfully housed over 36,000 people since 2012. CFTH will release the results of Houston’s 2026 PIT Count in the summer, following independent verification by an epidemiologist. These findings will provide insight into how factors such as increases in the cost of living and the end of federal pandemic relief funding have impacted homelessness in our region. More information about the 2026 Point-in-Time Homeless Count & Survey The PIT Count offers a snapshot of how many people are experiencing homelessness in our region on a single night. This year, the “night of record” is Monday, Feb. 23. CFTH determines the number of people staying in shelters on that night by pulling records electronically from the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) . The unsheltered count will be conducted on the following days, from Tuesday, Feb. 24 to Thursday, Feb. 26. More than 400 volunteers and staff of local nonprofit service provider partners will canvass the three-county region to survey people living unsheltered, using an app on their mobile devices. Results from the 2026 PIT Count will help gauge the progress of The Way Home’s ongoing collaborative efforts. It will also help CFTH and partner homeless outreach teams understand geographic shifts and target their outreach throughout the year. The PIT Count illuminates specific programmatic gaps and provides additional information needed to allocate resources most efficiently. The PIT Count is a requirement of the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) for the annual Continuum of Care (CoC) funding process. HUD furnishes the majority of funding for programs that provide housing and supportive services to people experiencing homelessness in the region. In 2024, HUD granted more than $71 million to the Houston area.
