HOUSTON – A city-owned building in East Downtown that has previously served as a women and children’s shelter and at one point housed migrant children is set to take on a new role as a homeless services facility.
City leaders ratified a lease agreement for the Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD to operate the site at 419 Emancipation. The facility will serve both men and women experiencing homelessness.
According to City of Houston Housing and Community Development Director Mike Nichols, the facility will operate 24 hours a day and provide comprehensive services for individuals experiencing homelessness.
Nichols said individuals will be assessed through a triage process and connected to the level of care and support most appropriate to their needs, with a focus on stabilization, treatment and transitioning into longer-term housing.
The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD will oversee day-to-day operations, including staffing, clinical services, safety protocols, and program delivery.
The city says Harris Health System will provide on-site physical health care services, while the Houston Police Department Homeless Outreach Team will be based at the facility to support coordinated outreach efforts.
The facility can serve up to 222 individuals daily.
People who live and work near the site said they support the effort, pointing to the need for services to help people experiencing homelessness.
The city is targeting a June 2026 opening.