Counting Houston’s Homeless Population One Person at a Time

Knowing where to place resources in a city depends on a physical count that is done every year. In 2022, there were about 3,200 homeless people on the streets.

HOUSTON. Getting people off the streets has been Houston’s goal for years – the city is working to provide more permanent housing for the homeless.

Houston has received national recognition for its progress in reducing homelessness through the provision of housing.

Figures in the Greater Houston area, which includes Harris, Montgomery, and Fort Bend counties, show a significant decline in homelessness over the past 10 years. In 2011, more than 8,400 people were homeless. There were fewer than 3,200 in 2022. These include people living in emergency shelters.

Knowing where to place resources depends on the physical count that is done every year.

“It helps us determine what services are needed,” said Ana Raush of the Coalition for the Homeless. “It helps us figure out if there are any hot spots that are developing.”

Hundreds of volunteers came out this week to physically count and interview the homeless.

This year’s count will not be completed until next week.

“More than a number”

Every Sunday, Ricardo Hernandez takes a group of men for a walk past a homeless camp in downtown Houston. He used to be homeless. Now he works at Open Door Mission as a concierge.

“It keeps me grounded with these guys when I get back,” he said.

His message to everyone he meets is “You are more than a number.”

“I go up and tell them: “I used to sit in this chair. I used to be homeless.” It drives them crazy,” Hernandez said. “So yes, change is good.”

Hernandez said he lived on the street for a year before being taken in by a homeless group. Now he spends his days helping others in a familiar position.

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texasstandard.news contributed to this report.

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