The Housing and Community Development Department (HCDD) recommends Council approval of an Ordinance authorizing the City of Houston (City) to enter into a contract with the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA), accepting $417,364.00 of Homeless Housing Services Program (HHSP) funds to address youth homelessness.
The general allocation must be used by the City on activities eliminating and/or preventing homelessness. Specifically, allowable activities include construction, development, or procurement of housing for homeless persons; rehabilitation of structures targeted to serving homeless persons or persons at-risk of homelessness; provision of direct services and case management to homeless persons or persons at-risk of homelessness; or other homelessness-related activities as approved by the TDHCA.
HHSP was established by the 81st Texas Legislature through an appropriations rider and codified during the 82nd Texas legislative session. Through HHSP, the state provides funding to the nine largest cities in Texas in support of services to homeless individuals and families. Cities currently served through HHSP include Arlington, Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, Houston, Plano and San Antonio.
A previous such authorization was approved on May 27, 2020 via Ordinance 2020-450. This item is a procedural, administrative matter required by the State of Texas for the City to receive the funds awarded. An Ordinance allocating the accepted HHSP funds for use by local nonprofit organizations will be presented to Council for consideration in the near future.
Fiscal Note:
No Fiscal Note is required on grant items.
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Tom McCasland, Director