Government
BY JESSICA SHORTEN
Montgomery County submits 5-year housing, homeless plan
In a ve-year comprehensive plan submitted to the Department of Housing and Urban Development on Aug. 8, Montgomery County outlined a number of trouble areas regarding aordable housing and homelessness in an eort to provide a systemic approach to addressing needs countywide. Zooming in In the 1,068-page report drafted by the Montgomery County Oce of Community Development, four main concerns were highlighted: • Insucient fair housing education and outreach eorts • Demand for higher level of enforcement of fair housing laws • A lack of aordable housing that is accessible to persons with disabilities • Higher unemployment rates among persons of color causing disproportionate cost burdens According to the report, 9% of county residents ages 18-64 live below the poverty line, but the number increases to 14% among disabled adults.
rental units are in high demand. In general, stakeholder and resident consultation identied a lack of aordable housing throughout the county and the need to prioritize aordable housing for both seniors and persons with a disability,” according to the HUD consolidated stakeholder report, which is attached to the community development report. What’s being done Ansley said the community development department is seeking funding to address the biggest concerns outlined in the report. If the plan is accepted by HUD, funding will be allocated to three major programs administered by the Community Development Block Grant program: • CDBG: $2.69 million • HOME investment Partnerships Program: $777,034 • Emergency Solutions Grants: $223,763 CDBG funding would primarily be directed to assist homeowners who are at risk due to cost burdening and unemployment, while HOME funding would be geared toward revitalizing structures for home and business purposes, Ansley said. Emergency Solution Grants are used for immediate crisis funding for business owners and homeowners for immediate health hazards, such as lead paint removal. The funding would then go to rst-year priority projects, such as: • Street lighting • Sidewalk, street and alley improvements • New park development • Old park renovations and compliance with the
Homeless needs distribution The majority of low-income and homeless persons in Montgomery County fall under the general jurisdiction of the county as opposed to cities.
Homeless distribution General county jurisdiction
Precinct 1
Precinct 3
Precinct 4
Magnolia
Montgomery
10%
10%
Total homeless people: 3,223
5% 5%
65%
5%
Homeless counts in Montgomery County
Of 3,223 homeless persons in Montgomery County, only 178 were accounted for in 2023.
Unaccounted for homeless Accounted for
29 149
262 people were turned away for emergency housing by the Montgomery County Women’s Center due to lack of capacity in 2022.
homeless Sheltered Unsheltered
SOURCE: MONTGOMERY COUNTY OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT 2022 REPORT
3,045
What they’re saying According to the report issued by Montgomery County, a gap of 12,835 aordable rental units exists in the area. The lack of availability has contributed to the unsheltered homeless population in the Houston region. “If HUD approves our plan, our focus is to fund public services through area nonprots that provide emergency rent/utility services, transportation services for our seniors, job training for low-income persons, food distribution for seniors, homeless and low income persons, Home Owner Rehab program and public facility improvements like parks and community centers,” Director of Community Development Rebecca Ansley said. HUD has identied an increased demand for aordable housing in the region as the population continues to grow, according to U.S. Census data. “One-, two-, and three-bedroom aordable
What is cost burdening?
Americans with Disabilities Act • Public transportation initiatives Looking ahead
When 30% or more of its gross income goes to housing, families are considered cost burdened, which can contribute to homelessness.
16.4% of Houston-era households spend 30% or more on housing 8.6% of Houston-area households spend 50% or more on housing
The submission of the plan to HUD is only the beginning phase. The plan is set to span from 2023-27 and increase the availability of aordable housing and transportation, ultimately decreasing homelessness and unemployment rates overall. Each year, the county will request additional funding for additional projects as needed, Ansley said.
Since 2010, the cost burden has increased in the Montgomery County area.
31% median rent cost
35.9% median home value
9.7% household income increased
SOURCES: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM, U.S. HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENTCOMMUNITY IMPACT
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