Houston Quality of Life Committee Meeting - March 2, 2026
Houston Quality of Life Committee Meeting - March 2, 2026
The Quality of Life Committee, chaired by Councilmember Julian Ramirez, met on March 2, 2026, at 1:30 PM. Present were Vice Chair Amy Peck, Councilmember Sally Alcorn, Councilmember Willie Davis, and staff representatives from several other council offices. The committee reviewed three amendments to agreements with local service providers for homelessness prevention and domestic violence services, received an update on the 419 Emancipation project, and heard public comment.
Discussion Items
- Item 3A: Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston – The Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) presented an ordinance authorizing a second amendment providing an additional $300,000 in ESG and CDBG funding for rapid rehousing and homelessness prevention services. The amendment extends the term to March 31, 2027, and aims to serve 60 households (corrected from 75 on the cover sheet). Metrics: over 70% of clients increased self-sufficiency scores; 78% increased income at exit; over 90% of prevention households remained permanently housed. Catholic Charities has served the city since 2003 with no monitoring findings. Councilmember Alcorn clarified the program assists with rental arrears or utility cutoffs, not ongoing TBRA. Chair noted connection to eviction cases.
- Item 3B: Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council (HCDVCC) – Ordinance authorizing a second amendment providing an additional $106,417.20 in ESG and CDBG funds to continue administration of nonprofit domestic violence shelters and services. The amendment extends to March 31, 2027, and targets at least 200 additional households. As of January 2026, the agency and subrecipients served 687 households (35% above goal), with 70% exiting to permanent or transitional housing. Executive Director Barbie Brashier was present.
- Item 3C: The Salvation Army – Ordinance authorizing a fifth amendment providing an additional $325,000 in ESG and CDBG funds for homelessness prevention, diversion, and emergency shelter services. Amendment extends to April 30, 2027, and will serve at least 57 additional households. Prevention program: 100% of 35 households served remained housed. Shelter at Jones Family Residence: 57% (136 of 238 families) exited to housing. Cumulatively, the agency exceeded its overall goal by 9%. The Salvation Army has partnered with the city since 2012 with no monitoring findings. Their leadership team attended.
- Homelessness Update – HCD Director provided an update on the 419 Emancipation project: roof repairs and cleaning are nearly complete; the operator NOFO evaluation is in a quiet period. The director expects to bring a recommendation to the Quality of Life Committee soon via a special-called meeting. Regarding a recent NPR article about fundraising shortfalls, the director clarified that fundraising is ongoing and complex, led by the Coalition for the Homeless for housing and services. $6 million has been raised, with more expected. Private fundraising for 419 operations will be handled by the chosen operator. The director also noted a successful presentation to Metro about homelessness funding, and expressed optimism for continued support.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Dominic (constituent) – Expressed delight at a new county sign at Blue Lee Park, signaling progress. Raised concerns about ensuring that organizations receiving city funds also spend any outside money correctly to avoid blowback. Suggested exploring temporary use of vacant buildings (like the GRB) for shelter with cots and separation, referencing the Astrodome evacuation experience. Also urged that Metro (police and operations) be included as a permanent partner in homelessness discussions, and noted the new contactless fare system working well.
Key Outcomes
- All three amendment ordinances were reviewed with apparent consensus; the committee appeared supportive and took no formal vote, implying approval to forward to City Council.
- The HCD Director committed to bringing the 419 Emancipation operator recommendation to the committee via a special-called meeting within the next few weeks.
- Councilmember Alcorn requested clarification on private fundraising goals for 419; the director stated the goal is not yet determined and will be set by the operator.
- The committee will meet next month unless a special call is made.
Meeting Transcript
And so we will go ahead and begin this Quality of Life committee meeting. My name is Julian Ramirez. I'm chair of this committee. Also with us this afternoon, we have our Vice Chair and uh Vice Mayor Pro Tem Amy Peck as well as Councilmember Sally Alcorn in attendance. And we are represented by staff as well from Councilmember Jackson's office, Councilmember Castillo's office, Councilmember Cayman's office, and online uh council member uh Thomas's office as well. So we have a uh relatively short agenda today. And uh director, I see you at the dice, so I'll go ahead and and let you get us started. Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman. Thank you for having us today. Uh today we do have a short uh a short list of ordinances that we'd like to review with you. We have Jared Briggs here. Uh he's one of our great staff members who works with Melody Barr. Um I'll I'll give a shout out to uh Jared because last week Melody was gone for a vacation and we thought we couldn't live. And Jared and his team did a great job. So we're glad that that Jared's here. Um we have two issues that come up. One is Catholic charities, uh HC and uh Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council. Barbie Brashier, who is the CEO of the care coordinating council, is here. And we also have the full team from the Salvation Army. Um, and again, they do great work, and maybe you'll ask some questions to them. Jared, can is is that okay? You want to stand up out either way? I think I can make it work. Uh can everyone hear me okay? Yep, hear you fine. Thank you. Okay, I'll go ahead and get started. Uh again, I'm Jared Briggs. I'm the division manager with uh public services and economic development. Uh the first item is item 3A, and the housing and community development department is presenting an ordinance authorizing a second amendment to the agreement between the City of Houston and Catholic charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston Houston. This amendment provides an additional three hundred thousand dollars of ESG and CDBG funding to continue providing rapid rehousing and homelessness prevention services to households that are currently homeless or at risk of homelessness. The homelessness prevention services include rental and or utility payment assistance to prevent evictions or termination of services that may lead to an eviction. Case management services are provided to rapid rehousing households placed into a unit to maintain their housing stability. Case managers assist households with referrals to services, benefits, and resolution of any landlord tenant issues. I do want to make a note that there is an error on the cover sheet that's in the packet uh as the goal should be 60 households to be served with this amendment, not 75. Uh Catholic charities tracks outcomes for both activities and enters data for each household served into the homeless management information system, also known as HMIS. The agency tracks self-sufficiency outcomes through a scoring matrix at initial intake, program exit, and follow-up. Over 70 percent of those served increased their score at exit and follow-up, while 78 percent of households increase their income at time of program exit. Over 90 percent of the homelessness prevention household served exited the program and remained remained permanently housed. Uh Catholic Charities was initially selected by Childcare Council Inc., uh HCD's former administrator of the city's homeless services program as a service provider. That agreement expired in March 24, and the city selected Catholic charities to avoid a gap in services and continue operations. The current agreement expires on March 31st of 2026, and this amendment extends the term through March 31 of 2027. As of January 2026, the agency has spent 93% of its funding and served 47 households. Catholic charities has provided services to the city since 2003, and there were no findings in the agency's most recent compliance monitoring. Today we have Raina Suazo, program director, and Amber Johnson, program supervisor in the audience. Thank you all for being here. Any questions? Any questions at this point? Councilmember Alcorn.
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