When the Coalition announced the $65 million Community COVID Housing Program (CCHP) in July 2020, securing these unprecedented funds was just one step of many that accompany such a massive undertaking. Since that time, our finance team, including Director of Finance Cynthia Thomas, has worked diligently to track and manage the many public and private monies that fund the Coalition and other partners as part of this complex program. Now more than ever, Cynthia’s expertise is needed to keep our system funded and running smoothly. We invite you to learn more about valued team member Cynthia!
Staff Spotlight: Cynthia Thomas
Aubry Vonck • September 20, 2021
Q: Where are you from originally?
I am a native Houstonian who recently moved back to Houston after living in beautiful Southern California for 15 years.
Q: What do you love most about Houston?
I’ve always considered Houston my base that includes most of my family and friends. I love the diverse cultures, food, and overall southern hospitality.
Q: What made you want to work in the area of homelessness?
I’ve always had a desire to help underserved communities. Working for the Coalition has provided me the opportunity to accomplish this goal by helping them manage the numerous funding streams used for shelter. Providing the Houston homeless with safe havens to live is an awesome responsibility!
Q: Can you tell me a little about your role at the Coalition and what it entails?
As the Director of Finance, my role is to assist the Coalition in the proper management of administrative and programmatic funds for their intended purpose, “to serve the homeless.”
Q: Are there any specific projects you are working on right now?
My current project is managing the various braiding of funds received as the result of COVID.
Q: What is the most inspiring part of your job?
It is inspiring to work with an organization that feels more like working with family members who are striving to achieve the same goal.
Q: Do you have any hobbies outside of work?
I love outdoor activities such as attending festivals, hiking, and being at the beach. I am a dog and cat lover. I enjoy listening/singing to an array of music genres, and spending time with family and friends.
Q: If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be?
My superpower would be the ability to transport within seconds from one place to another, allowing me to visit my son and fur baby more often in Santa Clarita, CA.
Q: What is one thing that makes you proud?
I’m proud of my ability to truly believe that “this too shall pass.” I have the ability to look beyond issues, knowing that the best outcome is just a horizon away.
Q: If you invite three people to dinner, dead or alive, who would you invite and why?
My father, mother, and brother. Gone way too soon…just to say “I love you” again.
Q: Tell us one fun fact about yourself!
Being an infamous couch potato is my guilty pleasure.
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.
As lead agency to The Way Home Continuum of Care (CoC), CFTH is working with local governmental entities to advocate on behalf of people experiencing homelessness to ensure their needs are being considered as winter weather affects our region. We will make frequent updates as we receive information. Please check back often for the latest information. Last updated 02/01/2026 at 12:00 p.m.
While our system has helped thousands of people move from homelessness to housing, this year’s results highlight the need to broaden our approach.
