Supporting our Housing Program and Shelter partners

Shortly after Beryl, our team members contacted homeless service providers and other partners in The Way Home to assess the impact on their facilities and operations, to understand their needs, and to determine how we could best offer support. We learned that the storm left several of our partners — both shelters and permanent housing programs — without power and with shortages of essential resources. Many shelters had to suspend intake temporarily or operate under challenging conditions such as relying on generators. 

By leveraging our networks, we were able to facilitate food and water distributions in collaboration with Lakewood Church to New Hope Housing, and we secured essential supplies for some other partners as well. 

One of our main priorities is making sure that people who are currently residing in a housing program of The Way Home do not fall back into homelessness due to this disaster.

Direct Outreach to those Unsheltered

Our system’s outreach efforts resumed promptly that Wednesday to check on unsheltered people, distribute necessities (made possible through our hot weather supplies drive), and provide transportation to cooling centers/shelters when possible. 

Unable to do perform their regular job duties due to power and internet outages, we even had some additional staff step in to support the outreach team in the field.

Preventing Homelessness Post-Disaster

Now, as disaster shelters begin to wind down their operations, we are collaborating closely with agencies like 211, Alliance of Community Assistance Ministries (ACAM) and FEMA to prevent individuals whose homes may have been damaged by Beryl from falling into homelessness. 

Looking Ahead

As Houston continues its recovery from Hurricane Beryl, our focus remains clear: to support and protect our homeless community members through coordinated efforts, advocacy, and outreach. By working collaboratively with partners and stakeholders, our efforts have focused on maintaining essential services, advocating for necessary resources, and preventing displacement among vulnerable populations. Ultimately, the impact of Hurricane Beryl underlines the need to invest more resources in housing and services to remove our unhoused neighbors from risk. The best way to make our community more resilient is to ensure there are as few people living unsheltered/on the streets as possible before a natural disaster strikes!

As we move forward, we extend our heartfelt thank you to everyone involved for their compassion and resolve during this critical time.