Community COVID Housing Program
Our Progress
As of 04/04/2024, more than 17,785 people experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk have been housed or diverted from homelessness since October 2020 through the CCHP.
9,828
have been served under phase 1 of the program, exceeding our two-year goal of 5,000.
7,957
have been served under phase 2 of the program, exceeding our goal of 7,000.
Introduction to CCHP
Due to underlying health conditions and a lack of access to facilities, people experiencing homelessness are more susceptible to the novel coronavirus and are at higher risk of experiencing severe symptoms.
The City of Houston, Harris County, and the Coalition for the Homeless have announced a joint, $65-million plan to serve 5,000 people experiencing homelessness over the next two years to limit the spread of COVID-19. The Community COVID Housing Program (CCHP) will permanently house people who are currently experiencing literal homelessness (e.g., living in shelters, encampments or on the streets) as well as those who may fall into homelessness as a result of the economic effects of the coronavirus.
While we still don't know what the long-term impacts of COVID-19 will be on homelessness in our region, we do anticipate increased need for housing, diversion, shelter, and supportive services. Some of the anticipated outcomes of the CCHP include:
- Ending chronic homelessness and reducing encampments
- Expanding targeted outreach to unincorporated areas of Harris County
- Reducing high-cost emergency services for people experiencing homelessness
- Creating approximately 150 jobs
- Setting a path to making homelessness in our community rare, brief, and nonrecurring!
Program Interventions & Expected Outcomes
List of Services
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Bridge to Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH)List Item 1
HOW IT HELPS: Long-term housing with supportive services
OUTCOME: Will house about 1,000 individuals experiencing chronic homelessness
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Rapid Re-Housing (RRH)List Item 2
HOW IT HELPS: Short-term rental assistance with case management services
OUTCOME: Will house about 1,700 individuals who have fallen into homelessness because of COVID-19
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Homelessness DiversionList Item 3
HOW IT HELPS: Assistance to maintain or regain housing, reducing the trauma of literal homelessness
OUTCOME: Will assist about 2,000 individuals "at the shelter door" to avoid falling into homelessness
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Auxiliary/Social Distancing Emergency ShelterList Item 4
HOW IT HELPS: Allows for social distancing and enhanced intake
OUTCOME: Will serve about 300 people
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Mental Health Case Management
HOW IT HELPS: Introduces Behavioral Health Response Teams in our region
OUTCOME: Will provide additional intensive services to those experiencing mental health and/or addiction issues
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Enhanced Street Outreach
HOW IT HELPS: Offers street outreach to people living unsheltered and outside Houston's urban core
OUTCOME: Will provide on the spot assistamce, housing assessments, and referrals to housing
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Permanent Supportive Housing Preservation
HOW IT HELPS: Extends rental assistance and supportive services that were disrupted due to COVID-19
OUTCOME: Will assist about 200 formerly homelss individuals in maintaining housing
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Income Support Program
HOW IT HELPS: The Coalition for The Homeless has partnered with Career and Recovery Resources Inc. to implement the CCHP Income Support Program.
OUTCOME: Will assist about 500 individuals served through CCHP by connecting them to incomce and employment support/services.
CCHP Partner Organizations
The Coalition for the Homeless serves as a project manager for the CCHP.
Get help
For individuals experiencing homelessness, including those who have recently become homeless due to the COVID-19 pandemic, please view the HELP Card for the variety of services and resources available in our community.
Individuals looking for assistance through CCHP will first need to receive a housing assessment at one of the assessments hubs listed on the HELP Card under the "Coordinated Access (Housing Assessments)" tab.
Please keep in mind: CCHP is for individuals and families who are currently experiencing homelessness.
If you worry you are about to lose your home, and you are in need of rental assistance, please visit https://houstonharrishelp.org/ and/or https://texasrentrelief.com/.
Get Involved: Property Managers
We are seeking your collaboration with the Coalition for the Homeless and our partner agencies to help resolve homelessness within the Houston community, by providing an opportunity for individuals to obtain housing and remain stably housed. Vacant rental units needed!
Get Involved: Prospective Service Providers
for nonprofit agencies that want to provide services as part of the CCHP
The City of Houston, Harris County, and the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County have issued a Request for Expression of Interest (REI) from qualified agencies on Wednesday, March 9, 2022.
The REI is to provide services as part of phase 2 of the Community COVID Housing Program (CCHP). Phase 1 of CCHP, which was announced in July 2020, uses federal COVID relief funding to place people experiencing homelessness — or on the verge of falling into homelessness — into housing. Since October 2020, the partners of CCHP phase 1 have together housed than 7,000 people.
Approximately $100 million is allocated for CCHP phase 2, including funding through the American Rescue Plan (ARP).
For more information visit
The Way Home Partner Portal - Coalition Funding Opportunities webpage.
The Community COVID Housing Program (CCHP) Welcome Home Fund provides clients who have been matched to housing through Coordinated Access with financial support and/or in-kind goods which otherwise would serve as barriers to housing. The funds are available to CoC funded PSH & RRH programs and all clients must go through Coordinated Access. Agencies requesting funding will complete the CCHP Welcome Home Fund Approval form with the requested item(s) and email the form to cchpfund@homelesshouston.org.
The CCHP Welcome Home Fund should only be used if no other agency funding is available. Designated staff will review and submit the request to the email address for approval. Agencies will be notified of approvals/denials within 2 business days of original request. Upon approval, agencies must initiate the purchase/payment. Once purchase/payment is made by the agency, supporting documentation may be submitted to the CFTH for reimbursement.
