Houston weighs $16M shelter plan for east Downtown

Photo credit: KHOU

The Houston City Council is set to vote Tuesday morning on a $16 million homeless shelter in East Downtown after a one-week delay prompted through local opposition.

Mayor John Whitmire has signaled confidence that the measure will advance during today’s session.

City officials led reporters through the proposed site on Emancipation Avenue on Monday. The plan includes 225 beds, round-the-clock security, neighborhood patrols, and on-site services that cover healthcare, psychiatric care, and treatment for substance use.

The city intends to move people off the street and into permanent housing through linked programs. Officials describe the facility as a “Superhub” that will centralize intensive services to reduce homelessness in Houston.

If approved, the Superhub is slated to open in the first quarter of 2026. Operating costs are projected to fall between $10 million and $14 million each year. Donations and community partnerships are expected to support the recurring expenses.

The council meeting is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.

 

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