[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6541717,"mediaKeyId","5897056-fd67127cca6b5fd4202ef7f27a5a7058","parentId",5897056,"title","Council committee reviews $250,000 CDBG amendment to fund Project Access bus serving people experiencing homelessness","audioSeconds",715,"startMs",173000,"endMs",888000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5897056-fd67127cca6b5fd4202ef7f27a5a7058&start=173&end=888","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5897056-fd67127cca6b5fd4202ef7f27a5a7058/thumbnail_173000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6541717/Houston/Harris-County/Texas/Council-committee-reviews-250000-CDBG-amendment-to-fund-Project-Access-bus-serving-people-experiencing-homelessness","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6541717-f0a29ef4ea26088ef999e8eb925de677/orig.mp4?Expires=1770438017&Signature=Gv6Ah1ZBS-ThoLwMU5RWXJZkZehYFoAx2cBwTIlolr471SYHtTR5ecbuOhLfCLTm6zBG8F3HTEEwrAdI0Yo~tnv53XnEDSd8CFI-k3icW1lvROK9EI-TqBMEeBaxPmzmIa3mdOs6EikA9z6ahMvKSadwhYq9qZNPtWQ~gPZmw01pbZNTBpiyl-mlBSo12DEg8V02h0sfzLjqCH9-CV2wk6gPqCXB6zAYfu1yDjpW2sbyNs2Dj9cvSVABbic6wAgQpr9BXiCgWFiL~7~Z-6FFoasPGz6qC5NU3ZApt4It8y0Ppya8FBlj2YvLTplCHr1f5yUq5iIZfHV0crlt3T50xA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Houston","date","2025-10-06T00:00:00Z","article","The Quality of Life Committee heard a report on an ordinance that would authorize a second amendment to the subrecipient agreement with Health Care for the Homeless Houston to provide up to $250,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to operate Project Access, a no‑charge, regularly scheduled transportation service for people experiencing homelessness.

Melody Barr of the Housing and Community Development Department described Project Access as a 40‑passenger, all‑ability bus that operates Monday–Friday, year‑round (it does not run on Thanksgiving and Christmas), follows a 23‑agency route with about 32 stops between roughly 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., and serves a minimum of 2,000 individuals. Barr said the program leverages partners at roughly 21 agencies that provide health care, meals, shelter and supportive services and that the amendment would extend the contract term through November 30, 2026. She said the provider has received city funding since 2003 and met performance goals; the organization had one prior compliance finding that was resolved.

Catherine Rogers, executive vice president at Health Care for the Homeless Houston, told the committee the program aims to register at least 2,000 unique riders and provide roughly 4,000 trips in a year; she said the program is moving from a paper ticketing system toward web‑based registration and exploring digital tools with help from Houston Metro to better track ridership and service impact. Rogers said a case manager funded by the amendment engages riders on the bus several times per week and at partner agency sites to link them with housing, health care and other services.

Council members asked clarifying questions about counting trips versus individuals, per‑rider annual cost and how the program reaches people. Barr said the 2,000 target is unique individuals; the most recent report showed about 4,000 trips in 12 months and about 1,500 individuals engaged by the case manager. Rogers said the program’s contract goal equates to about $113 per rider per year based on current targets.

Committee members requested additional data on ridership (total trips per year and web‑registration transition plans); staff said they would provide both trip and ridership counts and follow up on any additional operational questions.

The ordinance would extend the term and provide the additional $250,000 in CDBG funds to the subrecipient agreement; staff said the item will be brought to City Council for formal approval in the coming weeks. No formal committee vote on the ordinance was recorded at the meeting.

Ending — Staff committed to provide detailed ridership and trip counts and to continue coordination with Houston Metro on registration and outreach. The committee heard public appreciation for the program from Health Care for the Homeless Houston representatives and discussed potential digital tracking improvements.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Quality of Life Committee","oneSentenceSummary","Housing staff told a City Council committee they will ask council to authorize a second amendment adding up to $250,000 in CDBG funds to Health Care for the Homeless Houston to operate Project Access, a weekday no‑charge bus route serving people experiencing homelessness.","taxTitle","Houston, Harris County, Texas","taxId",2797,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6541722,"Houston housing leaders push purchase of 419 Emancipation property for 24/7 ‘superhub’ to triage people experiencing homelessness",1944,1492000,3436000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5897056-fd67127cca6b5fd4202ef7f27a5a7058&start=1492&end=3436","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5897056-fd67127cca6b5fd4202ef7f27a5a7058/thumbnail_1492000.jpg","/articles/6541722/Houston/Harris-County/Texas/Houston-housing-leaders-push-purchase-of-419-Emancipation-property-for-247-superhub-to-triage-people-experiencing-homelessness","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6541722-ec96078f6011a7baff02cd2d5e7f84dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770438017&Signature=L3oqYn6Os2l-PHiAkNLaghCZrjK9scDch-pq5fR1lah5XDuxLSGJXV1C-1ysKd7gok8D1CikrdcWJfkLbVmppn93gZZ~BP-uMPJocJRtcGcN7rRWiCePdSuyT5rLP-gO6zYn9OYRYQ6NffoTlHzm36Pd3fUfiy5Z3ZEFOxWG3gzkmaY9N4T6TK762YCkDBXDX79VYKZ4ccrFlH~YQqJ19snJazoAl3PqrSwR7mB1aGUmgEDpxtNtynzmjuUek0ycuJg34ZiLLeCJ9u5YLQViSJd9uPXS~d0qBi~qnsonTCJCpdxcj-uV3nb3hcJkcmncviKr4A58268nyhLryi3zAw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council members on the Houston City Council Quality of Life Committee heard Tuesday from the director of Housing and Community Development about a proposed ordinance that would authorize the city to purchase a two‑building property at 419 Emancipation for $16,000,000 and convert it into a 24‑hour triage “superhub” for people experiencing homelessness.

The proposal, presented by Housing Director Mike Nichols, would finance the purchase through Fund 18‑50 (reimbursement of equipment and projects fund) and repay that temporary loan over 10 years using Tax Increment Reinvestment (TIR) or other local funding as they become available. Nichols said the purchase would be brought to full City Council for a vote on October 15, subject to a Phase 2 environmental site assessment and other due diligence completed in a 120‑day feasibility period.

Nichols said the city envisions the site as a front door for the city’s homeless response system with an ability to provide overnight emergency beds (he described an aspirational target of 150–225 beds), on‑site health and psychiatric services, substance‑use programming and direct connections to permanent housing. “The purpose of the Superhub will be where safety meets connection to lasting housing solutions,” Nichols said. He described the facility as low‑barrier, “no program requirements” intake for people with complicating factors such as pets or partners, and as a place that accepts walk‑ups and law enforcement or outreach drop‑offs.

The property is two buildings totaling roughly 54,276 square feet; Building 1 (about 38,751 sq ft) contains a commercial kitchen, laundry, medical offices and sleeping rooms (an appraisal referenced 75 rooms), and Building 2 (about 15,500 sq ft) has classrooms and service space. The seller’s recent renovations (2019 and 2023) total about $3,000,000, and the site was most recently used by a nonprofit housing migrant children until federal funding ended in August 2025. Nichols said a Phase 1 environmental site assessment was complete and a Phase 2 assessment was underway.

Nichols and Chief Satterwhite said the city would not operate the facility directly; instead the city would lease the property to one or more nonprofit operators with experience serving people with severe behavioral health and substance‑use needs. Operations budgets presented to the committee ranged from $10 million to $14 million a year; Nichols said Year 1–2 operations funding could come from the city’s Disaster ’24 allocation (the administration estimates roughly $37 million of the disaster funds are available for operations), but long‑term operations would require a mix of philanthropy, county/state funding, federal reimbursements and local sources. Nichols said the city has committed $33 million to a broader housing plan and Harris County recently committed $8 million, and he urged continued partnership across jurisdictions and philanthropic donors.

Committee members pressed staff on financing details (how the 18‑50 fund would be repaid, whether federal reimbursements are reimbursement‑based, and the interplay with TIR funds). Nichols told the committee the plan is to use Fund 18‑50 as a short‑term borrower and repay it over 10 years with TIR or other local revenue streams once available. He also said HUD and other federal funding are typically reimbursement‑based and that the city expects to draw down those funds after obligations are incurred and approved.

Several council members and members of the public raised questions about neighborhood impacts, security and the timing of purchase. Staff described an operational plan with layered on‑site security, cameras and a combination of trained life‑safety officers with coordinated law‑enforcement support for the surrounding area; Chief Satterwhite said numbers and deployment remain under development to avoid publicizing operational details. Residents who live near the site told the committee they are concerned about increased panhandling, pedestrian safety around the stadium and the site’s proximity to event traffic.

Appraisal and pricing questions were discussed: Nichols said the city obtained two appraisals during negotiations (one appraised about $10,000,000, a second about $20,000,010 — the proposed purchase price is roughly midway between those appraisals). Nichols told the committee that another federal entity had expressed interest during negotiations, which affected the market for the property.

Nichols outlined a timeline that anticipates a City Council vote on October 15 to authorize purchase (pending environmental clearance), selection of an operator by November, and initial discussions about opening the facility in late 2024 into 2026 depending on HUD approvals and final funding. He said the purchase decision before council is limited to authority to buy the property contingent on environmental and feasibility findings.

Public commenters and council members urged clarity on long‑term funding, tighter community outreach and more details on security and how the superhub will connect directly to the permanent housing exits Nichols said are essential to success.

The committee did not record a formal vote on the purchase at the meeting; staff said the item will be presented to full council on October 15 for formal action.

Ending — The committee asked staff to return with more detailed budget, security and funding‑source plans before council consideration; staff reiterated the purchase is conditional on environmental review and further due diligence and that additional community briefings and operator selection steps remain.","Council members on the Houston City Council Quality of Life Committee heard Tuesday from the housing director about a proposed ordinance to buy a two‑building property at 419 Emancipation for $16 million and convert it into a 24‑hour triage “superhub” with 150–225 beds, medical and behavioral‑health services, and nonprofit operators.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6541713,"Housing department seeks acceptance of $1.67 million in state HHSP funds for homelessness services, including $405,040 youth set‑aside",111,321000,432000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5897056-fd67127cca6b5fd4202ef7f27a5a7058&start=321&end=432","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5897056-fd67127cca6b5fd4202ef7f27a5a7058/thumbnail_321000.jpg","/articles/6541713/Houston/Harris-County/Texas/Housing-department-seeks-acceptance-of-167-million-in-state-HHSP-funds-for-homelessness-services-including-405040-youth-setaside","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6541713-b4482bdde9d25b34147cb5b44c3851be/orig.mp4?Expires=1770438017&Signature=hiSRQavGUOU1WsanCXj3sacIilFZFTCIUIHH~SfdRzmC5gn1jLKcTc0XvQf4-cejAXwbzS9mF1ThrU8paFsUGHaZ644vaXPum75q72Zso36vsu2X~A00Bf7UbDhQLWl~n2MzRtEq6r5HjKWv9eFYgHya-A3i8J-lelJTVQWPvk6AFQgRA0~qPgs5cL6DUMVmfH4M21UZVysuDcfp479CSkMbuFalnwIpUxjnTMoXUfMBatOWiPaw1vpLAFTMOsa8AIlj0bmZlVc2EhJT2qQsKMZ0jjOaChrWroI8YzSL47HdJUuTU0iGWPFBVvWnIjyMaXVXimz~cyECkgFpzsYhIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee heard a presentation on two related ordinances to accept Homeless Housing Services Program (HHSP) funds from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA). Housing staff asked the committee to authorize the director to accept an HHSP award and execute the contract, including authority to amend the contract as needed.

Melody Barr told the committee the FY26 HHSP award to Houston totals $1,671,820: a general allocation of $1,266,780 plus a youth set‑aside of $405,040 targeted at youth‑headed households (defined as ages 18–24). Barr summarized allowable activities under TDHCA rules: the general set‑aside may fund activities that eliminate or prevent homelessness (including construction or procurement of housing, rehabilitation targeted to homeless persons, case management and other homelessness‑related activities as approved by TDHCA); the youth set‑aside must be used on activities serving youth‑headed households, including essential services, street outreach and transitional living.

Barr said the state distributes HHSP funding to the nine largest Texas cities; the city plans to allocate the accepted HHSP funds to local nonprofit organizations through an ordinance in the coming months and will use a request for expression of interest (REI) and competitive process to determine awardees. Council members asked whether specific youth housing programs in District I could be eligible; staff said eligibility depends on program activities and invited council members to connect staff with potential providers to determine competitiveness under the REI.

The ordinances would authorize the Housing Director to accept the HHSP award, execute the TDHCA contract and sign amendments as necessary. Committee members asked staff to share grant terms and to coordinate the REI timelines. Staff said the city has previously received similar state funds for roughly a decade and that the state program is an ongoing allocation to the largest Texas cities.

Ending — Staff said the city will present an ordinance to council to allocate the HHSP funds to local nonprofit organizations and will follow up with council offices on possible eligible projects, particularly for the youth set‑aside.","The Housing and Community Development Department asked the Quality of Life Committee to approve ordinances authorizing the city to accept Homeless Housing Services Program (HHSP) funds from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs totaling $1,671,820 ($1,266,780 general set‑aside; $405,040 youth set‑aside) for activities to prevent or","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council committee reviews $250,000 CDBG amendment to fund Project Access bus serving people experiencing homelessness

Houston housing leaders push purchase of 419 Emancipation property for 24/7 ‘superhub’ to triage people experiencing homelessness

Housing department seeks acceptance of $1.67 million in state HHSP funds for homelessness services, including $405,040 youth set‑aside