Houston Community Builders
Spearhead Homeless Coalition
Houston Community Builders Angelyque Campbell, Dr. Terry
Van Allen and Sally Shipman garnered support of southwest Texas city and
county local elected officials to use the successful Houston/Harris County
model to improve their ability to access Continuum of Care funding. Through
the Houston/Harris County Continuum of Care, the Star of Hope Transitional
Living Center received $4.5 million HUD and private funding over three years
(1997-1999) for transitional living supportive services. The Star of Hope
Transitional Living Center for homeless families and single women experienced
a 75% success rate in 1999 from those who completed life skills, financial
management and job search training. Residents leave the transitional living
apartments with a job, savings account and permanent housing.
During a six month period, the Community Builders created
both the tri-county South East Texas Coalition for the Homeless and the
tri-county Texas Gulf Coast Homeless Coalition, thus organizing a contiguous
six county area. Each newly formed tri-county collaborative developed a
community needs assessment and Continuum of Care 2000 application. With
Community Builder assistance, the two Coalitions now meet regularly to coordinate
homeless services and develop their 2001 community needs assessment in building
upon the Star of Hope experience. Houston CBs will be providing ongoing
assistance and expertise. |