The Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) recommends Council approval of an Ordinance authorizing the City of Houston (City) to execute a contract with the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) and accept $1,266,780.00 of Fiscal Year 2026 Texas Homeless Housing and Services Program (HHSP) General Set-Aside funds.
The General Set-Aside 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; operations of emergency shelters; 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 municipalities with a population of 285,500 or greater. There are currently nine cities in Texas receiving HHSP to support services to individuals and families that are homeless or at-risk of homelessness, including: Arlington, Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, Houston, Plano and San Antonio.
An Ordinance allocating the HHSP General Set-Aside funds for use by local nonprofit organizations will be presented to Council for consideration within the coming months.
Fiscal Note:
No Fiscal Note is required on grant items.
This item was reviewed by the Quality of Life Committee on October 6, 2025.
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Michael Nichols, Director