Last week, we covered the continued COVID-19 response in coordination with the US Interagency Council in Los Angeles and Seattle/King Counties. The webinar also provided some information on how Houston, Texas is handling the response. Houston, unlike many of its counterparts, did not implement a hotel-system amid COVID-19. This was possible because of plans that were already implemented in Houston.
Over the past few years, Houston has pivoted how the city operates due to the high numbers of homeless individuals. They decided to tackle this as a community and begin to coordinate their response because they operate almost entirely on entitlement and continuum of care. Homeless services were viewed from a systems level, which helped in reduction. When COVID-19 hit, they set up emergency shelters, to help with social-distancing.
Houston has seen more funding from COVID-19 than ever before. They had to refigure how they want to use resources long-term. Their five-year strategy has shifted to a two-year COVID-specific program called COVID Cares Housing. This program will provide auxiliary shelters, that add space for social distancing. These shelters will be a bridge to Permanent Supportive Housing.
Houston has never had resources to utilize rapid rehousing before. In the next 12-months they will be targeting 1,700 people, who will be rapidly re-housed. They will also hire 17 navigators, and 52 case-managers to aide in the process. The next strategy will be diversion, which will provide rental, and financial assistance for around 2,000 people. This program will also prioritize conflict-mediation because COVID-19 has increased domestic violence. This program will also be specifically targeting Mental Health intervention for High-Risk Individuals by providing enhanced services, and connect individuals to the right care.
Homeless Outreach and Prevention will also be a large element in the program. Houston will be providing rental services and wrap-around services for individuals at-risk for homelessness. They plan to accomplish these goals by implementing a system reliant on collaboration. Houston will be bringing everyone to the table. So far this looks like, 261 organizations and stakeholders coming together to inform their plan.
Logistically their goals are to work through the political process to ensure financial commitment, look for qualified providers that can apply for funding, and developing a plan for operation and contracting.