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City recognizes ECHO West Texas as local lead for Lubbock continuum of care
Summary
The City of Lubbock formally recognized ECHO West Texas and its board at the Oct. 7 council gathering after the nonprofit secured local control of the Lubbock Continuum of Care; city and ECHO leaders said the shift aims to coordinate services for people experiencing homelessness locally.
The Lubbock City Council on Oct. 7 recognized ECHO West Texas after the nonprofit was appointed lead agency for the newly independent Lubbock Continuum of Care, a move city and nonprofit officials said will let the community coordinate homeless services locally.
City Councilman Gordon Harris introduced ECHO West Texas and its board members at the ceremony; he called the organization’s work an early success and thanked staff and volunteers for their efforts. “We want to make Lubbock a model city when it comes to working with our homeless clients or population,” Harris said at the podium.
The mayor and council presented the recognition to David Anderson (board chair), Valerie Longoria (executive director, ECHO West Texas), and Edward Grady (system administrator), among others who were onstage. A nonprofit representative who addressed the council said the group was newly official earlier this year and signaled more collaboration with local agencies to connect people to housing and services.
Council remarks and the remarks by ECHO leaders noted that the shift to local control required federal and congressional assistance; the speaker specifically thanked the office of U.S. Rep. Jodey Arrington for help in obtaining local control of the continuum of care.
City staff and ECHO described the continuum of care change as an administrative shift to coordinate case management, data systems and service referrals locally rather than under the state balance-of-state structure. The nonprofit representative said the organization has had some early wins since obtaining local control and that “more to come.”
No council action or vote was recorded during the recognition; the item was a ceremonial presentation. Council remarks emphasized continued partnership among the city, ECHO West Texas and local service providers to reduce homelessness in Lubbock.
Looking ahead, council members and ECHO representatives said they expect to continue working with partner agencies and funders to implement the locally led continuum model and expand coordinated services for people experiencing homelessness.
