Housing department outlines proposed SEARCH amendments to expand early-childhood care and rapid rehousing funding

The Houston Quality of Life Committee heard presentations on two proposed amendments to agreements with SEARCH Homeless Services that would expand child-care and rapid-rehousing supports, Department of Housing and Community Development staff said on Nov. 12.

Assistant Director Melody Barr described item 2A as a proposed first amendment to an existing agreement that would provide up to an additional $100,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to support an early-childhood development program operating at SEARCH's House of Tiny Treasures in the Third Ward. "This program will serve a minimum of 20 unduplicated children ages 21 to 5 years of age and provides support services to their families," Barr said. Programming, she said, includes biannual developmental assessment, individual learning plans for children identified with developmental delays or mental-health issues, and meals; family…