ORDINANCE approving and authorizing Director of Mayor’s Office of Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence to submit application for Grant Assistance and execute and accept Subrecipient Grant Agreement with the STATE OF TEXAS OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR relating to the General Victim Assistance-Direct Services Program by the City of Houston Mayor’s Office; declaring the City’s eligibility for such Grants; authorizing the Director to act as the City’s representative in the application process, to request and/or accept the Grants and manage and expend the Grant Funds as awarded, and to apply for and accept all subsequent awards, if any, pertaining to the program including amendments or modifications to these agreements or any subsequent documents necessary to secure the City’s Grant Funding through the life of these Grant Awards 

In 2023 Council approved an ordinance which provided one year of continuation funding for 2 anti-human trafficking case managers to leverage the Mayor's Office of Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence's systems-level approach in meeting the need for comprehensive, victim-centered services including emergency shelter, intensive case management services, and referrals for healthcare and legal services.

Since our direct services program's inception in 2017, we served 739 confirmed and potential victims of human trafficking. Because of our unique bridge to the shelter system, 112 victims also achieved longer-term housing. Victims served were diverse across gender, race, and age lines, and many had intersecting vulnerabilities, such as having experienced domestic violence and/or homelessness. Because of our program, case managers were able to rehabilitate victims by providing advocacy and accompaniment, offering emotional support and safety services such as crisis intervention, connecting victims with shelter and housing services, and making medical and mental healthcare referrals.

Council is now asked to approve an Ordinance authorizing a grant application for $153,456.14 to the Office of the Governor of Texas for the General Victim Assistance - Direct Services Program by the City of Houston Mayor's Office to fund the program for the grant period of October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025. The application does require, and this ordinance authorizes, the allocation of $38,364.04 as the City's cash match contribution.

Fiscal Note:

* Funding for this item is included in the FY25 Adopted Budget. Therefore, no Fiscal Note is required as stated in the Financial Policies.

* No Fiscal Note is required on grant items.

___________________________________

Minal Patel Davis, Director

Mayor's Office of Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence

Ordinance 2023-901 - October 25, 2023

Ordinance 2022-972 - December 14, 2022

Ordinance 2021-824 - September 22, 2021

Ordinance 2020-933 - October 28, 2020

Ordinance 2018-938 - November 28, 2018

Resolution 2017-0031 - December 12, 2017

$153,456.14 Grant Fund (5030) FED/LOCAL/STATE/STATE PASS

$  38,364.04 General Fund (1000)

$191,820.18 Total

Minal Patel Davis, Director

Mayor's Office of Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence

Phone: 832-393-0977 or 832-596-9965

E-Mail: minal.davis@houstontx.gov