Houston, TX – The City of Houston announced plans to expand its “civility ordinance” to further regulate the presence of homeless individuals in Downtown and East Downtown.
The current ordinance prohibits lying down, sitting, or placing personal belongings on sidewalks during the day in 12 areas of the city.
Mayor Sylvester Turner intends to extend these restrictions to nighttime for the Downtown and East Downtown areas.
The expansion aims to prevent individuals from occupying sidewalks and public spaces during both day and night.
The city’s plan involves coordination with local agencies to provide additional support and services for affected individuals. Implementation will require collaboration with law enforcement for enforcement.
Authorities are expected to monitor compliance and ensure public spaces remain accessible. The proposed changes come amid ongoing discussions about effective solutions to homelessness in Houston.