Partner Portal
Welcome to The Way Home Partner Portal!
Welcome to The Way Home’s Partner Agency Portal: Where business, resources, and materials of The Way Home Continuum of Care (CoC) are shared!
About: This portion of the CFTH website is designed to provide partner agencies of The Way Home resources and information about/within our local Continuum of Care (CoC).
Who should visit The Way Home Partner Portal? Any and all staff of The Way Home partner agencies are welcome and highly encouraged to browse this site! This site is designed for partner agencies to find and/or view important information, resources, and materials for their work within The Way Home.
The CoC Connection: Click here to sign-up for The Way Home newsletters and stay up-to-date on all things happening within The Way Home. This newsletter is not intended for members of the general community - the resources and information shared within this newsletter are for staff of partner agencies.
About The Way Home
The Way Home is the collaborative effort underway to end and prevent homelessness in Harris, Fort Bend, and Montgomery counties, Texas. The Coalition for the Homeless (CFTH) serves as the designated coordinating agency for The Way Home.
Since 2012, homeless service agencies, local governments, public housing authorities, the local Veterans Affairs office, and other nonprofits and community stakeholders have been working together to refine their programs, practices, and policies so the greater Houston region can provide permanent housing and wrap-around supportive services to as many individuals and families experiencing homelessness as possible.
Currently, more than 100 partners are collaborating through The Way Home to implement programs that are all based on a Housing First model. This means that people experiencing homelessness are moved into permanent housing as quickly as possible and then are provided with supportive services (like case management, healthcare, substance use counseling, income coaching, and more) to help them remain stabilized in housing and improve their quality of life.
Since 2011, overall homelessness has decreased by over 60% in Harris, Fort Bend, and Montgomery counties. And since 2012, more than 30,000 families and individuals have been housed. Visit The Way Home website to learn more.
The Way Home Partnership
Interested in becoming an official Partner of The Way Home?

Membership for The Way Home is always open! Organizations interested in becoming formally involved (or updating their partnership status) with The Way Home must first complete the partner application. The application should only be completed by a senior member of the agency's leadership body (e.g., CEO, ED). Following the application submission, the Coalition for the Homeless (CFTH), lead agency to The Way Home, will review the application and send the next steps accordingly.
In order to be considered an official and updated partner of The Way Home, the agency must have the following on file with the CFTH:
- An updated/complete Partner Application
- An updated/complete Conflict of Interest form - sent by the CFTH following submission of an application
- An updated/complete Partnership Agreement - sent by the CFTH following submission of an application
- An updated/complete Coordinated Access Partnership Agreement (if applicable) - sent by the CFTH following submission of an application
To learn more about partnership with The Way Home, view the Partnership Packet shown to the right.
Please note that the CFTH will check applications on a monthly basis; however, during high-volume work periods (e.g., HUD CoC NOFO competition) additional time may be needed to review applications. For more information about partnership with The Way Home, email Caybryn Southern, Manager of Strategic Planning, at csouthern@homelesshouston.org.
CoC Plans & Governance
The Way Home Five-Year Community Plan (2021 - 2026)
The Community Plan (previously known as the Five-Year 'Action' Plan) updates The Way Home (TWH) Continuum of Care’s (CoC) 2015 and 2017 Plans, building off the accomplishments of those efforts, addressing emerging issues such as the rise of unsheltered homelessness, and seeking to mitigate the devastating impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. The updated Community Plan includes nine (9) goals and forty (40) strategies that build upon successful efforts to significantly reduce chronic homelessness, effectively end homelessness among Veterans and make major inroads in reducing family and youth homelessness.
The overall goal of this Community Plan is to achieve a functional end to homelessness in TWH CoC and, when not preventable, make homelessness a rare, brief, and non-recurring experience. The guiding principles for the Community Plan include extensive coordination among governments, nonprofit providers, and the private sector; the identification and dismantling of systematic racism; coordination of intensive outreach and crisis services; reduction in barriers to accessing needed services and care; ongoing open communication among partners; and the engagement of people with lived experience of homelessness in solving problems associated with homelessness.
View the entire Community Plan above, or view the Community Plan Fact Sheet for a quick review on our goals for The Way Home CoC.
The Way Home Plans, Policies, & Governance Documents
CoC Meetings
About CoC Meetings
Homelessness is a complex issue and effective efforts to solve it require broad community participation. Planning and implementation activities are driven by a series of leadership, planning, and process work groups that operate in tandem to achieve shared relationships, shared thinking, shared action/testing, shared evaluation, and finally shared policy proposals.
Meetings, committees, and workgroups will be established to conduct the functions necessary to support the CoC mission and meet funding obligations. Most CoC meetings, committees, and working groups are only intended for official partners of The Way Home and their staff, they may not be intended for public members of the community. Use this section of the website to learn about ongoing CoC meetings.
The Way Home Steering Committee
About the Steering Committee
The Way Home Steering Committee is the leadership body (similar to a board of directors) of the local Continuum of Care (CoC). It has authority over the planning and deployment of federal government funds to address homelessness in our community. The CoC Steering Committee has specific responsibilities as outlined by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) in the CoC Interim Rule. The responsibilities required by the CoC by HUD in the Interim Rule and assigned to the Steering Committee are outlined in The Way Home Charter.
Members of the Steering Committee
Membership in the CoC ensures community-wide commitment to preventing and ending homelessness and must represent a diverse body of stakeholders throughout the entire geographic area of the CoC. The intent is that the CoC be as inclusive as possible, to include the opinions and insights of various parties. Membership consists of up to 22 designated seats as outlined in The Way Home Charter. Each Steering Committee member must have the fiscal and program authority of the organization they represent. View a current list of members below.
Steering Committee Officers:
- Chair - Barbie Brashear, Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council
- Vice Chair - VACANT
- Secretary - VACANT
Fixed Position Representatives:
- Carol Borrego - Fort Bend County Community Development
- VACANT, Houston Housing Authority
- Kristine Singleton, City of Pasadena Community Development
- Melissa Quijano, Harris County Housing Authority
- Rebecca Ansley, Montgomery County Community Development
- Tory Gunsolley - Harris County Community Services Department
- Melody Barr - Houston Housing & Community Development
At-Large Representatives:
- Bob Eury, Philanthropy
- Dr. Theresa Tran, UT Health
- Juliet Stipeche, Workforce Solutions
- Robert Birdow, Jr. - Michael E. DeBakey Veteran Affairs Medical Center
Provider Representatives:
- Alexis Loving, SEARCH
- Shun Johnson, TLC Health and Wellness
Consumer Representatives:
- Danielle Stephen, Youth & Young Adult Lived Expertise & Advocacy
2025 Meeting Schedule (subject to change)
Please join us for the 2025 Steering Committee meetings!
1. Thursday, January 16, 2025, at 3 PM (Virtual)
- Meeting Materials: Click here to view.
2. Thursday, February 13, 2025, at 3 PM (Virtual)
- Meeting Registration: Click here to register.
Click here to register for all remaining 2025 Steering Committee Meetings.
3. Thursday, March 13, 2025, at 3 PM (Virtual)
4. Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 3 PM (Virtual)
5. Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 3 PM (Virtual)
6. Thursday, June 12 2025, at 3 PM (Virtual)
7. Thursday, July 10, 2025, at 3 PM (Virtual)
8. Thursday, August 14, 2025, at 3 PM (Virtual)
9. Thursday, September 11, 2025, at 3 PM (Virtual)
10. Thursday, October 9, 2025, at 3 PM (Virtual)
11. Thursday, Novemer 13, 2025, at 3 PM (Virtual)
12. Thursday, December 11, 2025, at 3 PM (Virtual)
Steering Committee Meeting Information
About the Steering Committee: The Way Home Steering Committee serves as the leadership body for our local Continuum of Care (CoC), overseeing planning and federal funding decisions to address homelessness.
Meeting Details:
- Occurance: Meeting occurs virtually on the second Thursday of each month at 3:00 PM (unless noted otherwise here)
- Materials: Meeting packets will be posted one week in advance. However, during high-work volume periods (e..g., PIT Count, NOFO, disaster response, etc.), the materials may be shared late/amended.
Who Should Attend?
- Open to all partner agency staff and the public
- Required for CoC-funded agencies (including YHDP-funded agencies) & those wishing to compete for CoC/YHDP funding
- CoC/YHDP-funded agencies must have one staff member attend 75% of meetings held in a year
Questions? Contact scquestions@homelesshouston.org.
Public Comment Guidelines
Timing of comments
- Duration of comment will be 1 or 3 minutes. This time limit will be identified with a visible timer shared on the screen, followed by the speaker being muted when their time is complete.
- A speaker whose subject matter relates to an identifiable action item of business (i.e., action item and/or resolution) on the agenda will have the opportunity to speak during the course of the meeting, when it is time for the steering committee to deliberate on that item.
- A speaker whose subject matter does not relate to an identifiable action item of business will have an opportunity to speak during the Open Public Comment portion at the end of the meeting.
Signing up to make a public comment
- Speakers may request to make a public comment prior to the meeting. All requests must be submitted to the lead agency at SCquestions@homelesshouston.org by 12:00 PM (Noon), the day of the meeting.
- Speakers may also request to make a public comment during the meeting by using the Q&A feature or chat function in the virtual meeting software.
- In either case, in their request, the speaker must inform the lead agency of which action item they wish to speak about by citing the resolution number, if applicable. If a specific resolution number is not cited, comments will be saved for the Open Public Comment portion of the meeting.
Authority of the Chair (or Vice Chair)
- The Chair will call upon the lead agency to assist with public comments. The Chair has the authority to open and close the public speaking portion of each action item on the agenda to ensure the meeting continues to move along at a reasonable pace.
Steering Committee Materials Archive
The Way Home Provider Input Forum (PIF)
Provider Input Forum (PIF) Information
About:
The Way Home Provider Input Forum (PIF) is a quarterly meeting in which provider agencies of The Way Home come together to address and discuss what's happening in the CoC provider community. Members of the PIF include all homeless service provider agencies (official partners), and meetings are led by the Lead Agency and Steering Committee Provider Representatives.
Who should attend?
All staff of The Way Home partner agencies are welcome and highly encouraged to attend! This is a networking opportunity for partners to connect, share resources, and learn how to better serve those experiencing homelessness.
PIF Meeting Schedule (subject to change)
1. Wednesday, February 14, 2024, from 9 - 10:30 AM
- Location: Harris County Department of Education (6300 Irvington Blvd, Houston, TX 77022) – 5th Floor from the garage elevator
- Parking: Please park in the Harris County Department of Education parking garage; parking is free. If the parking garage is full, please use the parking lot across the street.
2. Wednesday, May 15, 2024, from 9 - 10:30 AM
- Location: Ecclesia Downtown (1100 Elder St. Houston, TX 77007)
- Parking: Please park on the left side of the building in the large parking lot facing the freeway. The entrance to the front of the building will be the double doors on the left side of the Ecclesia sign on the building.
3. CANCELLED: Wednesday, August 14, 2024, from 9 - 10:30 AM
Thank you to those who participated in the 2nd Quarter Provider Input Forum back in May this year! During this meeting, partners of The Way Home engaged in various discussions and provided valuable feedback regarding:
- Meaningful engagement with the Provider Representatives
- Collaboration with community-based organizations
We wanted to follow up with you to ensure that your voices are heard and to share key takeaways from the feedback provided. Below, you can review:
- Q2 PIF Feedback: Summary of the feedback provided, including the questionnaire and common categories for suggested engagement enhancements
- Q2 Feedback Follow Up: Summary of the key points and outlined our anticipated next steps to enhance our collaboration and effectiveness within the CoC.
Thank you again, to those who provided feedback during this meeting. We encourage all partners to be on the lookout for more engagement/feedback opportunities, as we are eager to incorporate the feedback received and will explore different suggestions at the upcoming PIF and other future engagement opportunities.
4. Wednesday, November 13, 2024, from 9 - 10:30 AM
- Location: Harris County Department of Education (6300 Irvington Blvd, Houston, TX 77022) – 5th Floor from the garage elevator
- Parking: Please park in the Harris County Department of Education parking garage; parking is free. If the parking garage is full, please use the parking lot across the street.
Provider Input Forum (PIF) Materials Archive
The Way Home Onboarding
CoC Workgroups
About The Way Home Workgroups
The Way Home is comprised of standing committees, workgroups, and task workgroups which have various roles and responsibilities. Several workgroups are designated by
The Way Home Charter. Ad hoc working groups and task workgroups may be formed by the Steering Committee or Lead Agency, and given specific responsibilities as needed by the Continuum of Care (CoC).
Workgroups are the action planning and implementation components of the system; Work groups are where the work happens and only meet when there is work to be done. They also serve as Lead Agency driven, peer-supported, performance management meetings for nearly every aspect of system performance.
Workgroups may make recommendations for Resolutions to the Steering Committee regarding CoC policies and procedures, report outcomes and data analytics, and recommend performance measures and suggestions for system improvements. The Lead Agency is responsible for supporting each work group, identifying a facilitative lead and project manager, managing communications, and accessibility for interested members.
The implementation and performance management work groups are only accessible to the agencies delivering the services as client-level information is discussed within these meetings. Leadership and planning meetings are more accessible to a larger audience and interested parties can contact the Coalition for the Homeless for more information on how to participate.
Consumer Advisory Council (CAC)
About the CAC:
The Way Home Consumer Advisory Council (CAC) is a leadership advisory body that consists of members with current or past lived experience of homelessness. The CAC provides a platform for people who have experienced homelessness to share their firsthand experiences and provide meaningful input to improve The Way Home Continuum Of Care (CoC); our local homeless response system. Members of The Way Home CAC bring a unique perspective to the homeless response system, providing consultation and advocacy for ways to improve our supportive housing system and the services provided. As a member of the CAC, people have the opportunity to contribute to the improvement of homeless response system and have their voice heard.
The CAC meets monthly to discuss any new or ongoing business. And as a member of the CAC, people are compensated for their time; including monthly meetings and any other special projects that may require their time and expertise.
How to join:
Input and insight are invaluable to us, and we are committed to ensuring that the voices of people who have/had experiencing homelessness is heard. By joining the CAC, people can make a difference in the lives of those experiencing homelessness and help shape the future of homeless services. We welcome you to join our Consumer Advisory Council and be a part of the positive changes we are making in our community. To learn more about the CAC or to become a member, please apply here.
Questions?
Please email Angel Garmon at angel.garmon@cfthhouston.org.
2000 Crawford St., Suite 700
Houston, TX 77002
*Please note we do not provide onsite services for people experiencing homelessness. If you are in need of immediate assistance, please call 211.
(713) 739-7514