Homeless Encampments in Houston: A Struggle in the Face of Freezing Temperatures
The City of Houston has not opened warming centers despite the freezing temperatures, leaving many homeless individuals to fend for themselves on the streets.
A spokesperson for the Office of Emergency Management explained that the current forecast does not exceed the city’s “action levels” – 24 degrees, or 15 degrees with windchill, for at least two hours. While the threshold was not met, the city’s emergency management team coordinated with facilities that are permanently in operation and arranged to move vulnerable populations indoors as needed.
The Houston Police Department’s Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) and the Coalition for the Homeless worked together to notify those experiencing homelessness of available shelters and provide resources. However, the lack of city-operated warming centers has put a strain on the private network, according to Scott Arthur, spokesperson for charity Star of Hope.
Private Organizations Step Up to Fill the Gap
Star of Hope’s downtown facility for men was at 98% capacity as of early Monday afternoon, and its 500-person women and family facility in Southwest Houston was full. Arthur emphasized that the lack of city-operated warming centers means more people will be on the streets, and that’s more people for the organization to reach out to and help.
Shelter Options for Vulnerable Populations
For those in need of a temporary shelter, the following options are available:
- The Beacon John S. Dunn Outreach Center (1212 Prairie St, 77002)
- Star of Hope Men’s Development Center (1811 Ruiz St)
- Salvation Army Center of Hope (1717 Congress St, 77002)
- Star of Hope – Women and Family Development Center (2575 Reed Rd, 77051)
- Salvation Army Jones Family Residence (1603 McGowen St)
- Salvation Army Young Adult Resource Center (1621 McGowen, 77004)
- Covenant House Texas (3412 Beulah St., 77004)
METRO Reports One Death Due to Exposure
According to METRO officials, one person died due to exposure at a bus stop in the Second Ward on Monday morning.
Conclusion
In the face of freezing temperatures, the city’s failure to open warming centers has left many homeless individuals to fend for themselves. While private organizations like Star of Hope are stepping up to fill the gap, more needs to be done to address the issue of homelessness in Houston. It’s essential for the city to provide adequate resources and support to those in need, especially during extreme weather conditions.
FAQs
Q: Why aren’t warming centers being opened in Houston?
A: The current forecast does not exceed the city’s "action levels" – 24 degrees, or 15 degrees with windchill, for at least two hours.
Q: What are some shelter options for vulnerable populations?
A: The following facilities are available for individuals in need of shelter:
- The Beacon John S. Dunn Outreach Center
- Star of Hope Men’s Development Center
- Salvation Army Center of Hope
- Star of Hope – Women and Family Development Center
- Salvation Army Jones Family Residence
- Salvation Army Young Adult Resource Center
- Covenant House Texas
Q: How can I help?
A: You can help by donating to organizations like Star of Hope, which provides shelter and resources to those in need. Additionally, consider volunteering your time or donating warm clothing and blankets to those affected by the cold weather.
