Recap of Q3 Public Safety Meeting
The Energy Corridor hosted its 3rd quarter public safety meeting on Thursday, August 23, with a panel discussion on how the community is facing issues around homelessness through public/private partnerships.
ECD was joined by Harris County Precinct 5 Constable Deputy Sergeant Joseph Lewis, West Houston Assistance Ministries (WHAM) Director of Development, and Manager of Case Management, Mercedes Santos Grey and Neysa Gavion, and Courtyard Marriott Manager of Sales, Melissa Taylor. The discussion centered around a newly launched partnership between the District, WHAM, Marriott, and Precinct 5.
Together, these local entities are each providing help and support to unhoused individuals willing to participate in a rapid re-housing pilot project to help get them housed. While only a few weeks old, the program has already seen some early successes.
The program allows first responders who encounter unhoused individuals to refer them to WHAM for assistance, while the Courtyard Marriott is accepting program participants for temporary stays at their property while case managers and social workers assist them in finding long-term stable housing, and the Energy Corridor provides funding to help WHAM offset the cost of providing services.