Homeless Help

SEARCH is an organization that deals with the homeless in Houston.  Its objectives are to engage, stabilize, educate, employ and house their clients.  They have a mobile outreach program that seeks out homeless clients and connects them with their services.  SEARCH also has a day shelter called the Resource Center where they provide case management and coordinate services.  The organization also provides intensive case management to those that are chronically homeless and have extra challenges.  The chronically homeless have been homeless for over a year and include many veterans and those out of jail. 

SEARCH focuses their educational programs on children, primarily early childhood.  Classes on job skills, resume writing, and the like help get their clients ready for the workplace.  It also has several housing programs.  Two main ones are Scattered Site Housing and Housing Plus.  Scattered Sites deal with the chronically homeless and have permanent case managers on site, and the Housing Plus has case managers working off site.  The organization believes in being client centered, having authentic communication (active listening) with their clients, and following through with promises.

Customers can access www.homelesshouston.org and find information about all shelters in the area and the Help Card.

HPD also has a department that deals specifically with the homeless.  The Homeless Outreach Team consists of one sergeant, two officers, and a case manager.  They mainly patrol the downtown area.  If you have customers that appear intoxicated, you can also call 311 instead of the police.  They will be picked up and taken to a sobering center instead of jail.

If you have a customer in crisis, you can also call the Mobile Crisis Outreach Team or MCOT of MHMRA of Harris County.  They will come and meet with them and connect them to their services.  MCOT’s phone number is 713-970-7520.