City moves evacuees out of GRB, into temporary housing, new shelter

HOUSTON – More than 200 people will call the Residences on Emancipation their home for the next couple of months, as the largest shelter in Houston aims to close its doors this weekend.

At one point the George R. Brown Center was held more than 10,000 people. As of Saturday morning, Red Cross representatives said the GRB had 950 people waiting to be relocated.

On Friday, FEMA granted the City of Houston $9.8 million to help relocate the approximately 1,200 people who were stuck in the middle as the city aimed to close the shelter.

Many people are looking at temporary apartment leasing or leaving on their own. Others in limbo, waiting, have gone to the new shelter set up at 9424 Fannin St.

However, those who did not qualify to sign a lease applied to stay at the Residences on Emancipation at 419 Emancipation Ave. downtown. This will only be available to those leaving the GRB.

"This is the first longer term housing that we established with our partners from New Hope Housing," said Tom McCasland, director of the City of Houston's Housing and Community Development Department.

Local non-profit New Hope Housing created Harvey Response Management, Inc. -- now a new affiliate of the company.

"They filled out an application, they had a criminal background check done, and then they signed an occupancy agreement," said Joy Horak-Brown, president and CEO of both New Hope Housing and the affiliate.

The housing on Emancipation has 296 beds to serve families who have to leave the GRB. Buses took people from the GRB every couple hours. Friday and Saturday was move-in day.

"Before I was living at the GRB, I was under a bridge. I had a piece of foam I was laying on, a quilt that was wrapped on top of me, and I had a pillow," shelter resident Calude Thebeau said.

Thebeau worked on a 500 piece puzzle, a breath of fresh air from what he had been through.

"Here there is a sense of comfort," Thebeau said.

It offers dormitory-style housing. Each room has four beds, a bathroom and a shower. There is also a common room and a kitchen.

FEMA approved money to fund two months. The city is expecting that it will get funds for six months, ultimately allowing guests to stay longer. However, organizers said this is only meant to be temporary. Resources are available to those at Residences on Emancipation. They hope people will use that as a stepping stone to permanent housing.

"This is not my last stop. From here I hope to have a place of my own soon … There are so many resources available that I'm going to use as much as I can. I really am," Thebeau said.

McCasland said that anyone who leaves GRB should have a place to go. There is also a new shelter set up at 9424 Fannin St. for people leaving the GRB.

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