The Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) recommends Council approval of an Ordinance authorizing a Relocation Agreement and ancillary documents (Agreement) between the City of Houston and SEARCH Homeless Services (SEARCH) permitting the sale of the property located at 2015 Congress Street (Property), the purchase of a new property, and relocation of SEARCH‘s Employment Services and Care Hub to the new property for the restricted use period. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has indicated its intent to exercise its right to condemn the Property for the purpose of constructing a portion of Interstate Highway 45 and has offered to purchase the Property from SEARCH. The City will release its lien allowing the sale of the property between SEARCH and TxDot. No additional funding is being requested.
On August 1, 2014, the City Council approved Ordinance 2014-755, providing $1,353,014.00 in Homeless Housing and Services Program (HHSP) funds to acquire the Land and purchase of nine cars and two vans. The cars will be used by housing navigators to assist homeless persons in navigating the system of health care and social services agencies to obtain the documentation and support needed to gain permanent housing. Two vans will be dedicated to the Mobile Outreach Team to engage homeless persons on the streets and provide them with essential food and supplies.
SEARCH provides homeless services including outreach and engagement, housing case management, connecting clients to Permanent Supportive Housing or Rapid Re-Housing navigation, integrated healthcare, and peer recovery services to individuals that meet the eligibility requirements. Through SEARCH’s Mobile Outreach Team, they will connect with clients on the streets to determine immediate needs and perform housing assessments. Healthcare services will consist of health education, prevention, coordination, and intervention. Peer support services will provide residents with support towards their recovery goals.
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Michael Nichols, Interim Director