TDHCA Press Room

HHSP: Small program impacting big cities

Ending homelessness is a major goal of the state. Homelessness affects both urban and rural areas; roughly 90,000 Texans experience homelessness in the course of a year.

While varied across the state, more than 25 percent of those experiencing homelessness in urban Texas are households with children and approximately 20 percent have served in the Armed Forces.

To help in some small way to address this issue, TDHCA beginning in 2011 was provided a new tool thanks to the Texas Legislature.

The Homeless Housing and Services Program ("HHSP"), created by the 81st Legislature, assists homeless individuals and families residing in Texas' largest urban areas to assist the state in making the greatest impact.

The Legislature makes available $5 million each year toward this effort in state general revenue.

Program funds, according to state statute, must be administered in cities with a population greater than 285,500 persons based on the most recent U.S. Census data available.

Cities currently eligible to administer HHSP funds include Arlington, Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio.

Allowable activities include the construction, development, or procurement of housing for homeless persons; rehabilitation of structures designed to serve homeless persons or persons at-risk of homelessness; provision of direct services and case management to these populations; or other homelessness-related activity approved by the Department.

Cities may either administer these funds directly or subcontract activities to nonprofit organizations whose mission includes serving homeless individuals and families.

If you know someone living in one of these eight cities experiencing or on the verge of homelessness, please visit the HHSP program page or TDHCA's Help for Texans page to find the appropriate HHSP service provider.