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) and accept $398,738.00 of Homeless Housing Services Program (HHSP) funds for FY 2022 to address youth homelessness in Houston.    

The youth set-aside funding must be used by the City on activities eliminating and/or preventing homelessness in youth-headed households (age 18-24). Specifically allowable activities include essential services, street outreach and transitional living for persons experiencing homelessness in youth-headed households; provision of direct services and case management to persons experiencing homelessness in youth-headed households; 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.   

An Ordinance allocating the accepted HHSP funds for use by local nonprofit organizations will be presented to Council for consideration in the future. 

No Fiscal Note is required on grant items.  

This item was reviewed by the Housing and Community Affairs Committee on November 16, 2021. 

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Keith W. Bynam, Interim Director