Committee reviews $6.5 million in subrecipient agreements for homelessness diversion, shelter and wraparound services

The Houston City Council Quality of Life Committee on the morning of the continuation hearing reviewed eight proposed subrecipient agreements and amendments that would direct roughly $6.5 million in federal and local funds toward homelessness diversion, shelter operations, street medicine and housing assistance programs.

Committee Chair Council Member Julian Ramirez, Houston City Council member at-large, said the session would complete housing items left over from the previous meeting and turned the floor to Melody Barr, assistant director in the Housing and Community Development Department, who summarized the round of subrecipient agreements tied to the city’s and Harris County’s Way Home initiative.

Barr said five of the agenda items come from a joint rolling REI (request for expressions of interest) released Jan. 31, 2025, and described eligible activities including permanent supportive housing, rapid rehousing, prevention/diversion, outreach, case management, expanded shelter capacity and supportive services. “Diversion asks, ‘what do you need and what do you want?’” Barr said. “It is intended to ensure that the homeless experience is as brief as possible.”

Agency presentations and questions

- Beacon of Downtown Houston (item 3a): Melody Barr described a proposed subrecipient agreement of up to $480,922 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for homeless diversion services serving a minimum of 50 households over the contract term (Sept. 1, 2025–Aug. 31, 2027). Stephanie Truong, chief program officer at Beacon, said the agency plans to hire two case managers, a part-time compliance manager and administrative support, and to reserve roughly $150,000 for direct client assistance paid to third parties (landlords, vendors). Truong described use of HMIS for client and service reporting and said follow-ups would occur at 90 days post-exit.

- Northwest Assistance Ministries (item 3b):…