Houston officials are giving mixed messages about when the controversial 419 Emancipation homeless hub will open, as nearby residents continue raising concerns about crime and safety.
‘Before the end of the month’: Council member hints at opening timeline for Houston homeless hubWoman found dead inside Harris County apartment after family reports not being able to reach her for several days Read full article: Woman found dead inside Harris County apartment after family reports not being able to reach her for several daysMan found shot to death inside vehicle near Katy; investigators say 2 men drove victim to house after shooting Read full article: Man found shot to death inside vehicle near Katy; investigators say 2 men drove victim to house after shootingLocal News– The opening of Houston’s controversial 419 Emancipation homeless hub appears to be just weeks away — even as city leaders gave mixed messages Tuesday about exactly when the facility will begin operating.
During Tuesday’s Houston City Council meeting, District I Council Member Joaquin Martinez appeared to suggest the long-awaited center could open before the end of May.
“Mayor correct me if I’m wrong, but I think before the end of this month, they should be open and operating,” Martinez said during the council meeting. The 24/7 facility at 419 Emancipation Avenue is expected to include up to 222 beds and serve hundreds of people each year as part of Houston’s effort to move people experiencing homelessness into more permanent housing.
The project has drawn controversy for months, particularly from some residents in Second Ward and East Downtown who say they are worried about crime, safety and the concentration of unhoused individuals near homes, parks and schools. After Martinez’s comments, KPRC 2 reached out to his office for clarification on whether an official opening date had been set.
“Unfortunately, we still do not have a date for when 419 Emancipation will be open. ”KPRC 2 then followed up by pointing to Martinez’s public comments during council and asking whether the council member had misspoken. We did not hear back.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Mayor John Whitmire’s administration initially told KPRC 2 the facility’s “soft opening” could happen May 27 or May 29 before later referring questions to The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD. The Harris Center later told KPRC 2 in a statement that it continues working with the city toward opening the facility “in late May or early June.
” The City of Houston’s Housing and Community Development Department also said the facility “remains on track for a targeted opening in late May to early June. ” Earlier this year, Houston City Council approved a nearly $39 million agreement allowing The Harris Center to operate the facility through 2029.
According to the city, the Harris Center was selected through a competitive process that evaluated operational capacity, experience serving people experiencing homelessness and behavioral health needs, organizational readiness and long-term sustainability. Scott Singleton, a Second Ward resident who has been outspoken against the project, told KPRC 2 he is worried the homeless hub could create public safety concerns.
“It’s concentrating a group of up to 200 chronically homeless individuals within the confines of the neighborhood right here,” Singleton said. “It’s very close to where we all live. ” Singleton pointed to incidents he says have fueled neighborhood concerns, including a case where a man walking his dog near the facility was allegedly attacked by someone appearing to struggle with mental health issues.
“The community is concerned about concentrating the potential for that right here on our front steps,” he said. Singleton also questioned whether The Harris Center is fully prepared to operate what has been described as a “low barrier” homeless facility, a model which minimizes requirements for entry.
“The concern that I have about the Harris Center is first of all, are they ready? And my opinion is that they aren’t,” Singleton said. In a statement from Housing and Community Development Director Mike Nichols, the city said the facility will operate with trained staff, on-site security, coordination with Houston police and Metro Police, and support from community service providers.
The city also said HPD’s Homeless Outreach Team and Metro PD’s homeless outreach team will have offices on the campus. Singleton said residents have also been promised a direct neighborhood safety line to quickly contact HPD’s homeless outreach officers once the facility opens, though he says details remain unclear. Community members are expected to continue discussing the project during a public safety meeting next week.
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