The Harris County Precinct 2, Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) was created in 2021 as part of Constable Jerry Garcias’ task to improve the quality of life for residents in Precinct 2. The HOT provides a professional, humane, and safe response to individuals with behavioral health problems and those who are homeless. The Harris County Precinct 2 HOT understands the positive impact created from building proactive relationships with those in need. We are sensitive to the struggle that many of Houston’s homeless endure, often time resulting in loitering or soliciting along roadways, busy intersections, near neighborhoods, and places of business. Proactive engagement allows HOT to achieve the primary goal of connecting the homeless population to needed service providers within our community. The law enforcement community continues to explore best practices for taking care of our homeless population. Issuing citations and jailing homeless persons is not always effective—we care for all members of this community. With HOT in place, the program will allow for new strategies that are vital to the homeless population, reconnecting them to supportive community resources. Law enforcement-community partnerships are a best practice approach to safely engage with those most in need within Precinct 2, allowing for assistance with housing, nutrition, medical and mental health care.
Goals:
- Work to build trust and relationships with homeless individuals to enhance their overall wellbeing.
- Coordinate the Harris County Precinct 2 office response to the homeless population.
- Maintain relationships with all Houston/Harris County-area homeless services.
- Create homeless identification letters which are accepted at all Texas Department of Public Safety locations.
- Continue to work toward enhancing legislative and lobbying efforts.