Committee reviews multiple contract amendments to fund rental assistance, job training and supportive services

The Houston Housing and Community Development Department presented a group of subrecipient agreements and contract amendments to the Housing and Affordability Committee on items that fund rental assistance, job readiness, early childhood education, and supportive services.

The measures presented included a proposed subrecipient agreement with Access Care of Coastal Texas (ACCT) for up to $1,276,825 in HOPWA funds to serve at least 149 low-income households living with HIV/AIDS, a $150,000 CDBG amendment for Catholic Charities to expand an employment services program, two Wesley Community Center amendments (one for early childhood/out-of-school programming at $125,000 and one for employment services at $250,000), a $1,500,001 HOPWA agreement with El Centro de Corazon to take over supportive services now provided under Bread of Life, and a $250,000 CDBG second amendment for The Women’s Home to continue services to people exiting homelessness. The department also presented an off-agenda second amendment for Educational Programs Inspiring Communities (HEART) to add $250,000 in CDBG funds for its HEART job training program serving trainees with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Why this matters: the contracts extend and preserve a range of services — from tenant-based rental assistance to vocational training and early childhood supports — that the department says reach residents across a nine-county HOPWA service region and within Houston. Committee members emphasized getting contract and program details to council offices to increase public awareness and referrals.

Key details presented - Access Care of Coastal Texas (ACCT): up to $1,276,825 (HOPWA) for 11/01/2025–10/31/2026; services described: tenant-based rental assistance to 59 households, short-term rent/mortgage/utility aid to 70 households, supportive services for 149 households and permanent housing placement for 20 households; program located in Galveston, Texas; ACCT has city funding since 02/2006. Leslie Sumner (chief executive officer) and Kristen Rowe (chief program officer) attended the meeting. - Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston–Houston: second amendment for an additional $150,000 (CDBG) to operate an employment services program assisting 150 low- to moderate-income people; amendment extends the agreement through 10/31/2026; agency has city funding since 02/2003 and reportedly surpassed its program goal last year. Adrienne Ademey (Program Vice President) and Leticia Ejeni (job developer) attended. - Wesley Community Center, Inc.: first amendment adding $125,000 (CDBG) for early childhood education and out‑of‑school programs serving at least 25 unduplicated children (13 early childhood, ages infant–4; 12 school‑age, K–12); program site: Wesley Day School and Kurtz Education Recreation Center, near North Side; extension through 10/31/2026. Wesley also presented a second amendment adding $250,000 (CDBG) for an employment services program assisting 225 people with training that can include healthcare career tracks; the employment amendment term extended through 11/30/2026. Emily Bahati (Senior Director of Development) and Bonnie Albrecht (Director of Children and Youth Services) attended. - El Centro de Corazon: proposed subrecipient agreement up to $1,500,001 (HOPWA) to serve a minimum of 93 households living with HIV/AIDS with tenant-based rental assistance and supportive services; term runs from controller countersignature until 09/30/2026; El Centro previously received city funding in 2007 and 02/2011. The presentation noted clients would transition from the current contract with Bread of Life to El Centro’s supportive care. Joe Fuentes (Chief Integration Officer) was expected to attend. - The Women’s Home: second amendment for up to $250,000 (CDBG) to operate programs serving approximately 480 women, including counseling, substance-abuse support and employment services; term extended through 10/31/2026; The Women’s Home has city funding since 2000 and reported meeting 95% of its annual service goal as of July. Bethany Fields (Vice President, Grants and Evaluation) attended. - Educational Programs Inspiring Communities (HEART): second amendment to add $250,000 (CDBG) for the HEART job training program serving 45 trainees with intellectual or developmental disabilities; services include vending, concessions and retail training with a mock on-site CVS and a six-week internship at a local CVS; amendment extends the agreement through 08/31/2026. Janet DeLeon Young (Executive Director, HEART) attended; HEART has city contracts dating to 02/2005 and had no findings in the most recent compliance monitoring.

Public comment and committee requests Doug Smith, a public commenter, asked the committee for a report evaluating the effectiveness of organizations that receive city funds, saying “these organizations, some of them do the same thing.” Committee members and staff responded that the department does periodic compliance monitoring and sometimes pivots funding to providers with capacity; they agreed to document the department’s standard procedures and follow up with a report.

No formal committee vote on these items was recorded in the transcript; staff presented the agreements and amendments for committee review and said they will return to council with the necessary authorization items.

Ending: Committee members asked staff to share cover sheets and contract information with council offices after council approval so offices can refer residents to services. The department said it will provide the requested materials and noted several agencies reported no monitoring findings in their latest reviews.