In the early 1980s, Houston experienced a major economic downturn during which thousands of people lost their jobs and experienced homelessness. Service providers and local government agencies then scrambled to coordinate community-wide strategies and serve people in need.

In 1982, Houston Mayor Kathryn Whitmire and Harris County Judge Jon Lindsay along with area homeless service providers realized that a neutral coordinating agency was needed to liaise with government, support homeless service providers, and advocate to the public on behalf of those experiencing homelessness. Reverend William Lawson, Archbishop Fiorenza and Rabbi Karff — affectionately known as the “Three Amigos” — came together to unite faiths in a response to homelessness. They presented to Mayor Whitmire the need for what was then called the “Campaign for the Homeless.” From there, the Coalition for the Homeless was born.

Our condolences are with the archbishop's loved ones.