Partnership Helps Homeless Individuals and Families Find Housing and Hope
When you picture someone described as “homeless,” the vision is probably an adult male living with all his worldly possessions under a freeway overpass, behind an abandoned building or in an encampment on the edge of development. But the findings in the Energy Corridor’s pilot project to aid these individuals found an entirely different reality.
Last year, the Energy Corridor District launched a partnership with West Houston Assistance Ministries (WHAM), the Precinct 5 Constables Office, and local hotels aimed at helping individuals experiencing homelessness get back on their feet. The Energy Corridor District’s Board of Directors contributed an initial $30,000 toward the program, which was primarily spent for temporary housing at area hotels.
Altogether, 35 individuals were assisted by the program, ranging in age from 4 to 72. Fifteen were children, all less than 14 years old. Energy Corridor Vice President Zak Miller spearheaded the program on behalf of Energy Corridor. “It’s accurate to say we helped two senior citizens and a whole bunch of little kids,” Miller reported at a recent meeting of Energy Corridor District’s public safety program. “We don’t have a large population of unhoused folks, but we want to be prepared to respond and offer assistance when someone is in need,” Miller added.
From hopeless to stability
Harris County Precinct 5 Constable Deputies working for Energy Corridor District are typically the first to identify prospective clients for the program. “We’re not social workers, but we can assess someone down on their luck,” observed Sgt. Joseph Lewis. When Lewis identifies a potential client, he immediately calls Neysa Gavion, head of case management at WHAM.
Gavion and her client relations team assess the client’s needs and establish steps to stability. WHAM will pay for clients to stay in a hotel room until more long-term accommodations can be established. Several Energy Corridor hotels are participating in the program.
After addressing the client’s basic needs, WHAM provides wrap-around services to the client, which could include helping them get a state-issued ID, job training, food, money for gasoline, childcare for their children, and long-term housing.
A young man named George benefited from this program and moved from living in his vehicle to an apprenticeship for a professional job. He lived in a hotel for six weeks while WHAM staff assisted him. Another beneficiary of the program is Catherine, who was referred to WHAM by Sgt. Lewis. WHAM provided groceries to Catherine and her son and paid for them to live in a hotel for 30 days. She has since moved into an apartment, has a job and her son is in childcare. “Sgt. Lewis checked on me throughout the process,” said Catherine.
“Our case managers work one on one with clients, helping them achieve self-sufficiency,” said Gavion. “We advocate for our clients throughout the process, helping them overcome any past evictions or legal problems that would otherwise prohibit them from moving into an apartment and becoming self-sufficient.”
What’s next for successful pilot
The Energy Corridor District board approved another $30,000 for the program in 2025, plus $60,000 for 2026. Miller and Gavion noted that case management represents 48% of the money spent so far, another 42% goes to emergency shelter while a lean 8% goes to operations and 2% is allocated for outreach.
WHAM’s goal is to raise $250,000 annually for the program that will exclusively serve clients in the Energy Corridor District. Miller has reached out to elected officials, faith communities, and others who may be interested in supporting the cause. And individuals may contribute online. Please write “Energy Corridor Project” in the comments.
Miller noted that the program is not designed to help individuals with mental health challenges, criminal issues or substance abuse. “We’re helping those who are easiest to help and freeing up other resources for those with larger issues. Our clients are returning to the workforce and becoming productive citizens,” said Miller.
“I hope every management district will replicate what the Energy Corridor District is doing,” said Gavion. “The program has been a great success.”