Hurricane Harvey: Five Years Later

It has been five years since Hurricane Harvey flooded Houston and forever changed our city. On this anniversary week, the Coalition is reflecting on Harvey’s impact on homelessness in our community — not only its adverse effects, but also the lessons we learned that helped us to design a nationally recognized response to COVID.

From 2011 to 2017, our annual homeless Count steadily declined every year. We had placed more than 11,200 people into permanent housing since 2012, and we had effectively ended Veteran homelessness in 2015.

The 2018 Count was the first Count conducted after Harvey — and that Count showed a 15% jump in the total number of people experiencing homelessness from the year before.

In fact, there are still people today who attribute their homelessness to Hurricane Harvey. In our 2022 Point-in-Time Count and Survey, conducted in January, one out of every seven people experiencing unsheltered homelessness said the cause of their homelessness to a natural disaster, most commonly Hurricane Harvey.

Harvey affected homelessness in several ways:

People who were already experiencing homelessness, especially unsheltered homelessness, were particularly vulnerable to Harvey because they were exposed to the elements. People in low-lying areas or near bodies of water risked drowning.

For others, Harvey caused their homelessness — whether immediately or later on.

People who were unstably housed — for example, doubled-up staying with friends or family or otherwise staying somewhere their name wasn’t on the lease — were not immediately eligible for FEMA assistance (e.g., hotel vouchers) or might not have been welcomed back in their previous living situation following the shake-up.

Some affordable housing near bayous was irreparably damaged, meaning that some people lost the only housing that was accessible to them. It also meant that the already-tight affordable housing market in Houston became even more so after Harvey, likely leading others to fall into homelessness months or years later for lack of an affordable place to live.

Still others lost jobs or income due to Harvey and fell into homelessness. It was near-impossible for those living at a disaster shelter to get or maintain employment.

The Coalition for the Homeless and its partners in The Way Home helped all of these people in the immediate aftermath of Harvey — and have continued to help in the years since.

Note: There were also many people whose homes were damaged or destroyed by Harvey, who temporarily had to stay in shelters; however, access to aid from the Red Cross, private insurance and/or from FEMA ensured they fortunately did not require the help of the homeless response system to get back into their own homes.

How we helped:

Housing for Harvey

Immediately following the flood, staff from the Coalition for the Homeless and other partners of The Way Home set up shop in the George R Brown (GRB) Convention Center, which was used as a disaster shelter.

The Coalition worked with SimTech Solutions to create a triage tool accessible via mobile phones so we could understand who was experiencing literal homelessness at the disaster shelter and learn more about their needs and experiences. This proved to be key in developing our game plan.

Alongside the Houston Housing Authority and the City’s Housing and Community Development Department, we worked around the clock to house people who faced homelessness and lacked access to other resources through two programs: Residences on Emancipation and Housing For Harvey.

Residences on Emancipation was a transitional program managed by New Hope Housing with supportive services provided by SEARCH Homeless Services and was prioritized for the most vulnerable people at the disaster shelter.

Housing For Harvey was dedicated for those who had been living unstably prior to the hurricane, focusing on a Rapid Re-housing model that included rental assistance and focused, housing stabilization case management.

Ultimately, the partners of The Way Home housed 942 people from the disaster shelter at the GRB. Once they were stably housed, we also helped connect them to sources of income.

Housing Harvey’s Homeless (H3)

In the years after Harvey, a large encampment formed in the 900 block of Chartres near Minute Maid Park. It was the city’s largest encampment with more than 100 residents at any given time.

Over the course of several months in 2020, and with funding from the state of Qatar and the Houston Downtown Management District, the Coalition and its partners moved 173 people from the encampment into permanent housing with wrap-around supportive services. Nearly 95% of these individuals were still housed 6 months later.

What we learned

We learned lessons from the response to Harvey that are instrumental in carrying out our work today —especially in responding to the COVID pandemic:

In trying to secure apartments from the private rental market for people leaving the GRB, we came up with the idea for one-time landlord incentive fees (LIFs). LIFs turned out to be an incredibly useful tool in engaging property managers — so effective, in fact, that the federal government took notice!

As other communities across the nation looked to Houston and our innovative COVID response, they asked the federal government to make public funds available to use for these fees. Now, instead of having to use our hard-earned private funds for LIFs, this is an approved expense for public funds. And LIFs have been crucial in allowing us to secure apartments for the Community COVID Housing Program.

Our experience with the encampment at Chartres taught us many lessons we applied in our now-nationally recognized encampment strategy. The availability of physical housing units was sporadic, meaning it often took months to permanently house residents from the Chartres encampment. This slow outflow meant that new people moved in over time, making it tough to close the encampment permanently.

Now, to prevent the “backfill” experienced at Chartres, all residents of an encampment are now rapidly transitioned directly into housing within three to five days! (Note that this follows four to six weeks of advance coordination and leadership by the Coalition and its partners.)

Perhaps the most important lesson learned from Harvey is that we are only as resilient as our most vulnerable community members. We know that when people have access to safe, affordable housing they can lead healthier and more productive and fulfilled lives — and they’re safer when disaster strikes. That’s why the Coalition for the Homeless and its partners in The Way Home work every day to get people out of shelters, off the streets, and into their own homes.

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Unprecedented $48 Million Regional Homelessness Fund & Initiative Announced

October 7, 2026

HOUSTON, Texas (Oct. 7, 2026) — Local private philanthropic leaders announced today the establishment of an unprecedented, dedicated fund to launch Pathways to Independence (P2I), a new regional, $48 million homelessness initiative. P2I will build on the area’s nationally acknowledged momentum to end street homelessness and to resolve new instances of homelessness within 90 days. P2I is designed to achieve long-term sustainability by securing public funding beyond an initial three-year period. $34 million (70%) has already been raised from local private philanthropies toward the $48 million goal. Speaking on behalf of philanthropic investors in this initiative, Ryan Dolibois, executive director of Sarofim Foundation and Chair of the P2I Executive Leadership Committee said, “The City of Houston, Harris County, and CFTH and the partners of The Way Home have made remarkable strides in addressing homelessness . Pathways to Independence is a regional action plan that builds on this work and writes the next chapter in how we address homelessness. We are building significant momentum and providing additional critical investment to amplify proven results, address persistent gaps in the current homeless response system, and give more people a path from homelessness to stability.” Co-created with the City of Houston, Harris County and the nonprofit Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County (CFTH), P2I’s first funders were The Brown Foundation, Inc.; Cullen Foundation; Houston Endowment; Kinder Foundation®; and Sarofim Foundation . The Homelessness Strategic Philanthropy Fund, a component fund of Greater Houston Community Foundation, will receive and steward charitable contributions and support grantmaking aligned with the initiative's approved strategy. (For a full list of funders to date, see Attachment 1.) Expanding the Region’s Response The Way Home is the Continuum of Care — or homeless response system as funded by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development — serving Houston and Harris County, Fort Bend County, and Montgomery County. Coordinated by CFTH, it is a public-private partnership of dozens of organizations working together to make homelessness rare, brief, and nonrecurring. The Way Home has made nationally recognized progress , housing more than 38,000 people by aligning federal funding around a shared strategy of permanent housing programs. P2I builds on this model by adding faster, more flexible interventions; more accessible ways to reach help; stronger behavioral-health and healthcare coordination; and greater collaboration across systems that encounter the same individuals repeatedly. Among other interventions, P2I will expand available options for people who can quickly resolve their homelessness via targeted strategies. These “rapid resolutions” include creative problem-solving and short-term stabilization. Stronger coordination across housing, behavioral health, healthcare, criminal justice, and community service systems to reduce inflow into homelessness will also be critical. “Not everyone requires — or can qualify for — permanent housing programs to resolve their homelessness. P2I is designed for people our existing resources cannot currently reach quickly or effectively,” said Kelly Young, president and CEO of CFTH . “With this strategic philanthropic fund, our homeless response system will be able to fill critical gaps, test promising approaches, and invest in what works. The City of Houston and Harris County each bring essential expertise and investments to this regional strategy.” Building on City Investments The City of Houston recently made a bold investment in homelessness response with the opening of 419 Emancipation , designed to help people move off the streets and into a safe, structured environment where they can stabilize, have their needs assessed, connect to treatment and supportive services, and ultimately transition to appropriate housing solutions. “419 Emancipation has become an important new opportunity for people experiencing homelessness. And while we are seeing meaningful outcomes, there remains a critical need for more exit doors that lead to lasting stability,” said Houston Mayor John Whitmire . “Pathways to Independence will help create those next steps. I commend Houston’s philanthropic community for building on the City’s work with this substantial commitment. Let’s get to work.” Advancing Harris County’s Leadership The Harris County Sheriff’s Office, Harris County Housing & Community Development, Harris County Public Health, the Harris County Public Defender’s Office, the Harris County Office of County Administration, and other County partners all contribute to this work. These regional public systems often encounter people at critical moments when the right intervention can prevent homelessness bringing deep criminal justice, reentry, behavioral health, healthcare, housing and community service systems expertise and resources. “Harris County is committed to helping our communities thrive by strengthening eviction prevention and other supports that keep people housed and prevent homelessness before it begins,” said Harris County Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis . “The County is continuing to invest to expand these proven strategies and, through this joint effort, leverage our resources to move faster and build lasting solutions. Housing is a human right, and I look forward to advancing our work to ensure every resident has a safe, stable place to call home.” “Harris County has made meaningful progress in reducing homelessness, and I am proud of the work we have done, but our work is not done yet,” said Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia . “We are still seeing working families who are one paycheck away from losing everything. That is why we cannot afford to stand still. We must keep adapting and keep connecting people to the right services at the right time. That is exactly why I fully support Pathways to Independence. It gives people a hand up, meeting them where they are and helping them build a stable future.” “I’m proud to support Pathways to Independence, the next chapter in Harris County’s fight to end homelessness,” said Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones. “This data-driven initiative meets each person where they are, offering immediate assistance to help our neighbors get back on their feet with short-term relief, plus long-term support like housing, transportation, domestic violence services, and behavioral healthcare. Through the power of public-private partnership, we are doubling down on our efforts so that more people can find stability faster. We are relentlessly committed to ending homelessness and creating a Harris County where everyone can thrive." A Cross-Sector Strategy See the accompanying Supplemental Quotes document for additional quotes from: Ric Campo, Chairman and CEO, Camden Property Trust Thao Costis, Executive Director, Harris County Housing & Community Development Ed Gonzalez, Sheriff of Harris County, Harris County Sheriff's Office Steve Kean, President and CEO, Greater Houston Partnership Kris Larson, President and CEO, Downtown Houston+ Keena Pace, President and CEO, The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD Mike Nichols, Director, City of Houston Housing and Community Development Department Larry Satterwhite, Director, Mayor's Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security The Brown Foundation, Inc. Cullen Foundation Houston Endowment Kinder Foundation® Stewarding the Investment Greater Houston Community Foundation will steward the dedicated component fund supporting the Pathways to Independence initiative. Foundations, corporations, families, and individuals interested in contributing should contact CFTH before making a donation . Katina Baldwin, senior director of development at CFTH, will coordinate contributions to go to the Homelessness Strategic Philanthropy Fund at Greater Houston Community Foundation, a Texas nonprofit corporation, and help ensure timely acknowledgment. She can be reached at katina.baldwin@cfthhouston.org or 832-531-6063. How to Get Help People experiencing homelessness or seeking local assistance can visit CFTH’s online Help Card for information about shelters, day centers, health care and other community resources. For free information and referrals to local assistance programs, call 2-1-1, the United Way of Greater Houston’s 24-hour helpline. About Pathways to Independence Led by an Executive Leadership Committee, Pathways to Independence (P2I) brings together philanthropy; local government; healthcare; business, nonprofit and community partners to resolve homelessness across Houston and Harris County. The initiative builds on the progress of The Way Home while expanding options for people who may not need or qualify for permanent housing programs. Through flexible investment, cross-sector coordination and disciplined evaluation, Pathways to Independence will help more people move from crisis to stability. For more information, visit https://www.cfthhouston.org/pathways About the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County (CFTH) The Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County (CFTH) makes solving homelessness possible. We bring people, data, dollars, and systems together to accelerate sustainable solutions and to transform how the Houston region responds to homelessness. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, CFTH is the convener and coordinator of Pathways to Independence and serves as the lead agency to The Way Home , our region’s Continuum of Care for homelessness response. For more information, visit www.cfthhouston.org . REGIONAL LEADERS ON PATHWAYS TO INDEPENDENCE Supporting Statements | Executive Leadership Committee (ELC) of P2I For the complete list of ELC members, visit https://www.cfthhouston.org/pathways Keena Pace, LCSW, Chief Executive Officer, The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD "Housing stability and behavioral health are deeply connected. People are more likely to succeed when all systems work together rather than in isolation. Pathways to Independence creates an opportunity to strengthen those connections and help more people access the services they need to regain stability and improve their quality of life in a brand-new way." Kris Larson, President and CEO, Downtown Houston+ "A thriving downtown depends on both economic vitality and human well-being. Pathways to Independence has the potential to make a meaningful difference by helping more people move from homelessness into stability while improving the experience of residents, employees, visitors and businesses alike. That is good for the individuals receiving help, good for Downtown and good for Houston's future." Steve Kean, President and Chief Executive Officer, Greater Houston Partnership "Houston has a long history of solving complex challenges through collaboration. Pathways to Independence brings together philanthropy, government, business and community organizations around a shared goal and a shared set of outcomes. That kind of alignment is one of our region's greatest strengths." Michael C. Nichols, Director, City of Houston Housing and Community Development Department & Larry Satterwhite, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security “We are grateful for these additional philanthropic funds, which will leverage government investment and give Houston’s homeless response system greater flexibility to help transition people from the streets to greater safety, stability and, ultimately, a safe place to call home.” Ric Campo, Executive Chairman of the Board, Camden Property Trust "Housing is foundational to opportunity. When people have stable housing, they are better positioned to succeed in work, education, health and family life. Pathways to Independence reflects a shared commitment to expanding stability while strengthening the systems that help people recover from housing crises and move forward." Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, Harris County Sheriff "We often encounter people at some of the most difficult moments in their lives. Too many individuals leave incarceration facing barriers that make it difficult to regain stability. Pathways to Independence supports a more coordinated approach that connects people to housing, treatment and services before they return to crisis. Helping people succeed after incarceration strengthens families, improves public safety and creates better outcomes for the entire community." Supporting Statements | Philanthropy The Brown Foundation, Inc. “The Brown Foundation responds thoughtfully and flexibly as Houston’s needs evolve,” said Ann Ziker, executive director of The Brown Foundation, Inc . “Pathways to Independence pairs visionary leadership with action and direct service. Our focus remains on the organizations and people doing the work to make Houston stronger.” Cullen Foundation “Pathways to Independence reflects the entrepreneurial spirit, optimism and collaboration that guide Cullen Foundation’s investments in Houston,” said Scott W. Wise, chief executive officer and chief investment officer of Cullen Foundation . “It brings together rigorous thinking and innovative approaches with the potential to create change at scale.” Houston Endowment "We are deeply proud to have partnered in and supported our region’s work to end homelessness since 2012—and of the extraordinary cross-sector collaboration that has driven meaningful progress,” said Elisa Villanueva Beard, president and CEO of Houston Endowment . “Pathways to Independence builds on that momentum, once again bringing people together to address homelessness at its roots. By combining evidence and local expertise with continuous learning and rigorous evaluation, our region can identify what works, adapt when needed, and once again set a national standard.” Kinder Foundation® “Kinder Foundation believes in transformational giving that improves quality of life in Greater Houston,” said Nancy Kinder, president and CEO of Kinder Foundation . “We were pleased to be a part of the initial funding for this bold regional strategy that delivers meaningful results for people experiencing homelessness.” For more information on Pathways to Independence, view our Media Kit.