The Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to lead in the development and implementation of community strategies to prevent and end homelessness.

The Coalition was established in 1982, incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in 1988, and has evolved to be the lead agency coordinating the community response to homelessness in Houston. Under the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing (HEARTH) Act, passed in 2009, an entire community rather than individual service providers must demonstrate success in preventing and reducing homelessness. In 2011, HUD named Houston as a priority community. This designation recognizes the great need to transform Houston’s existing homeless service system and the tremendous opportunity to make significant advances due to the commitment of homeless service agencies and the contributions  of key community stakeholders.

Accordingly, the Coalition is the lead agency coordinating Houston’s response to homelessness, and as such serves as the primary organizer for the projects that are creating the community’s Continuum of Care. This work creates an improved homeless service system that more effectively provides services, support and housing to all sub-populations within Houston’s homeless community, with a primary focus on moving individuals and families out of homelessness.

The ultimate goal of the Coalition is the creation of a homeless service system that achieves reduction in new instances of, length of, and returns to homelessness, and meets the varying needs of homeless sub-populations such as unaccompanied youth, veterans and families with children.

Broadly, the Coalition works to prevent and end homelessness by:

• Liaising with government at the local, city, state and federal levels;
• Supporting homeless service providers; and
• Advocating on behalf of the homeless.

The Coalition is the lead agency coordinating Houston’s response to homelessness, and as such serves as the primary support organization for the community’s Continuum of Care.  

In addition, the Coalition delivers a number of focused programs and services, including the Consumer Advisory Council, Homeless Court, the Homeless Management Information System, the Homeless Services Coordinating Council, Houston Community Voice Mail, and the Point-In-Time Enumeration and Needs Assessment. (These are all described below).

Finally, the Coalition in a partnership with 2-1-1, also provides information and referral services, both for homeless service providers and for people who are homeless.

The HMIS (short for Homeless Management Information System) is a computerized data collection tool specifically designed to capture client-level, system-wide information over time on the characteristics and services needs of men, women and children experiencing homelessness. HMIS allows the aggregation of client-level data across homeless service agencies to generate unduplicated counts and service patterns of clients served.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) National Data and Technical Standards establish baseline standards for participation, data collection, privacy and security. Implementation of HMIS is a requirement for receipt of HUD McKinney-Vento funding.

The Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County/Fort Bend County area is the local HMIS lead agency.

Click here for more information on the HMIS.

The Homeless Services Coordinating Council (HSCC) was established in 1993 by the Coalition as a membership-driven workgroup to assist homeless service providers. Council members meet on a monthly basis to collaborate, share information and best practices and access educational and training opportunities.

Click here  for more information on the HSCC.

The Houston Community Voice Mail (HCVM) Program provides free voice mail service to individuals, families with children and youth experiencing homelessness, and is managed by the Coalition. This initiative provides voice mail lines to more than 100 agency programs in Harris County/Fort Bend County, whose case managers in turn provide lines to their clients to access their voicemail. This program thus enables homeless persons to connect to job opportunities, housing, healthcare, information and hope for the future.

Click here from more information.

Homeless Court (HC), established in 2006, is a program coordinated by the Coalition that enables homeless defendants to resolve outstanding class C misdemeanor offenses within the City of Houston’s Municipal Court system. Houston’s HC is a partnership among city courts, the Coalition, local shelters and service providers allowing homeless defendants to meet traditional sentence requirements (often fines, public work service, and/or time in jail) through service program activities such as chemical dependency meetings, computer literacy classes and job skills training. Referrals are initiated by homeless service provider case managers and submitted to the Coalition.

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The Consumer Advisory Council (CAC) is a group of people who have experienced homelessness or received homeless services who have been brought together to serve as a liaison between service providers and people who are homeless. It was formed by the Coalition in July 2010 to enhance communication between the homeless community, the Coalition and homeless service providers. It is working to improve methods of combating homelessness, eliminate barriers and provide the homeless with a voice in citywide issues involving homeless services.

Click here  from more information.

The Point-In-Time (PIT) Enumeration and Needs Assessment is a program conducted by the Coalition and is required of all communities receiving HUD funding. The PIT enumeration engages more than 500 volunteers to conduct the count and survey the Houston homeless population during one night in January each year. In the spring of each year, in-depth needs assessment interviews are conducted with representatives from homeless sub-populations. The goal of this program is to guide strategic changes to the homeless service system by ensuring that current information is available on the scope of homelessness in our community and the current needs and gaps in services.

Click here from more information.

The best way for these organizations to get connected to the Coalition is by joining the Homeless Services Coordinating Council. Click here  for more information on the HSCC.

Homelessness remains an enormous challenge, but it’s one we believe can be solved with your help. The major ways that you can help are by donating money, advocating for the homeless and performing volunteer service.

According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, “A Continuum of Care (CoC) is a regional or local planning body that coordinates housing and services funding for homeless families and individuals.” This concept is based on U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development requirements.

The Continuum of Care for Houston, Harris/Fort Bend County serves two main purposes:

• To develop a long-term strategic plan and manage a year-round planning effort that addresses:

○    The identified needs of homeless individuals and households;

○    The availability and accessibility of existing housing and services; and

○    The opportunities for linkages with mainstream housing and services resources.

• To prepare an application of McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act competitive grants.

The Coalition serves as the lead agency for the Continuum of Care. The chief duties of the lead agency include:

• Staffing the planning committees;
• Producing planning materials;
• Coordinating needs/gaps assessments;
• Collecting and reporting performance data;
• Monitoring program performance;
• Coordinating resources;
• Integrating activities and facilitating collaboration;
• Preparing the collaborative application for CoC funds;
• Building awareness;
• Recruiting stakeholders; and
• Managing the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).