Bellaire - Meyerland - West University | March 2025

BY CASSANDRA JENKINS & KEVIN VU

Assessing the need

Looking ahead

Coalition volunteers conducted the 2025 count in January, and although the results won’t be released until spring, Villarreal said she believes the results may show an incline in the homeless population. She said the increase could be due to the loss of federal COVID-19 funds, which have been sustain- ing homelessness programs since 2021.

According to the 2024 Point-in-Time Count and Survey conducted by the Coalition for the Homeless, an annual event where volunteers count sheltered and unsheltered individuals on a single night, approximately 2,939 people experi- ence homelessness in Harris County with 32% of individuals unsheltered.

Nichols said the city will begin to distribute the $70 million as funds become available, however the initial plan only covers the next one to two years. He said the administration will begin to look for long-term sustainable sources in the meantime from entities such as: • The Texas Legislature • The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development • Houston’s tax increment reinvestment zones • Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County As a last resort, Nichols said the administration could also seek to ask Houston residents to increase the city’s revenue cap to fund the plan, which has been intact since 2004.

Unsheltered: Individuals who are living outdoors in places not intended for human habitation

Sheltered: Individuals experiencing homelessness who are staying in a temporary housing facility

4,000

31% decrease over the last six years

3,000

2,000

7.7% decrease over the last six years

1,000

SOURCE: COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS OF HOUSTON/HARRIS COUNTY/ COMMUNITY IMPACT

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2024

BAYOU CITY ART FESTIVAL DOWNTOWN MAR 29-30 2 0 2 5 FEATURED ARTIST GWENDOLYN REDFERN n 250 National & International Artists n 19 Disciplines of Art n Live Music & Entertainment n Active Imagination Zone n VIP Hospitality Lounge n Art Installations & Exhibits TICKETS ON SALE NOW bayoucityartfestival.com

Saturday, March 29 12 - 3 p.m. Colonial Park West End Decks 4130 Byron St. A vibrant event in West University Place to display, purchase, sell, and exchange a variety of crafts!

Soaps

Jewelry

Live Music

For more information, visit www.westutx.gov/events

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BELLAIRE - MEYERLAND - WEST UNIVERSITY EDITION

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