The Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) recommends Council approval of an Ordinance authorizing a Subrecipient Agreement between the City of Houston (City) and The Harris Center for Mental Health & IDD (The Harris Center), providing up to $2,647,392.77 in End Street Homelessness Funds for a program that will serve approximately 120 individuals annually. Services will include psychiatric care, individualized treatment plans, and access to treatment beds in a safe environment for homeless individuals transitioning from an inpatient hospital setting to a community-based setting.
The Harris Center’s Independent Living Main Street Expansion will operate 32 beds under an intense rehabilitative program designed to step-down/transition individuals who were unhoused prior to, and are psychiatrically fragile, following an inpatient psychiatric hospital setting to a more appropriate community-based setting. Individuals receive comprehensive care focusing on psychosocial principles to teach emotional, cognitive, and social skills to support community living and independence. The program targets adults, with particular emphasis on those who are discharged from emergency or inpatient psychiatric facilities, and those released by local hospitals with a 24/7 program where participants can receive services for up to 180 days.
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CATEGORY
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END STREET HOMELESSNESS FUNDS
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TOTAL
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PERCENT
|
|
Program
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$2,406,720.70
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$2,406,720.70
|
90.00%
|
|
Administration
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$240,672.07
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$240,672.07
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10.00%
|
|
Total
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$2,647,392.77
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$2,647,392.77
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100.00%
|
In March 2025, in partnership with Harris County and the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County, the City invited organizations to submit proposals under a Request for Expression of Interest (REI). The Harris Center was one of the agencies that responded and was selected from the applicants that proposed a shelter expansion activity.
The initial agreement period is from the Date of Countersignature, to July 31, 2026. The Harris Center has received funding from the City of Houston since 2008. There were no findings or concerns in the most recent compliance monitoring for other funded projects.
This item was reviewed by the joint Quality of Life/Housing and Affordability Committee on June 16, 2025.
Fiscal Note:
No significant Fiscal Operating impact is anticipated as a result of this project.
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Michael Nichols, Director