Houston officials outline $70 million plan to end street homelessness; committee hears seven contract extensions

At a Houston City Council Quality of Life Committee meeting at City Hall, city housing officials and partner agencies outlined a mayoral plan that seeks to end street homelessness and described seven contract amendments that would extend Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funds for local homeless services providers.

The presentations came as city officials and nonprofit partners described a recent uptick in homelessness locally and the structure for a mayoral initiative that officials say will target outreach, rapid rehousing, permanent supportive housing and diversion services. “This last year showed about 3,000 individuals face nightly homelessness, 1,100 unsheltered, the rest in transitional or temporary shelters,” Director Nichols said, summarizing the city’s point-in-time findings.

Why it matters: City leaders said the plan would combine federal, county, philanthropic and private funds to create more flexible local capacity — and to house people off the street immediately where possible. Director Nichols gave a two‑year funding target of $70 million for the initiative; officials said that figure covers outreach, rehousing and program operations rather than capital construction.

Plan overview

Director Nichols described the initiative’s priorities as outreach and personalized care; rapid rehousing; permanent supportive housing for people with disabling conditions; diversion programs that prevent shelter entry; hubs/shelters to coordinate intake and services; and support for operations such as a navigation center. Nichols said the mayor’s team expects to use a mix of city general funds, federal grants and philanthropic contributions and is pursuing additional county and transit (METRO) participation. He said HUD’s Continuum of Care award for FY‑25 — roughly $55 million to the lead agency — will support ongoing housing and services but is distinct from the mayor’s two‑year $70 million plan.

Nichols and partners gave a…