Experts from across the country will speak at a four-day Community Charrette on Homelessness to help develop a plan to prevent and end homelessness in Houston, Harris County and Fort Bend County.  A Charrette is an intensive planning process that jumpstarts and streamlines how a community develops or updates its Community Action Plan. 

The public is invited to attend all of the free Charrette sessions which will address the causes and propose solutions to the multiple facets of homelessness.  The four-day meetings will be held at the Harris County Department of Education, 6300 Irvington Boulevard, Conference Room 502 (located in the parking garage), Houston 77002 on Monday, August 20, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Tuesday, August 21, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Thursday, August 23, 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and the final report will be presented Tuesday, August 28, 10 a.m. - noon. (See full schedule below.)

Free parking is available in both the Department of Educationgarage and its parking lot across the street. 

Mayor Annise Parker will give an opening address to Charrette participants on Monday, August 20 at 9:15 a.m. 

For information on how to participate in the Charrette, contact Mary Itz, City of Houston Housing and Community Development at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 713.865.9314, or contact Gary Grier, Director of Community Engagement, Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 713.739.7514. 

To learn more about the City of Houston Department of Housing and Community Development, visit www.houstontx.gov/housing/. The Charrette is sponsored by the Coalition for the Homeless, with support from the Corporation for Supportive Housing.  For additional information visit www.homelesshouston.org. 

Charrette Schedule and Topics 

Monday, August 20, 2012

9 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Welcome and Overview

9:30 a.m.- 11:30 a.m. Integrating Housing and Services

12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Performance and Accountability

3 p.m. - 5 p.m. Right Sizing Continuum of Care Housing Models

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

9 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Welcome and Overview

9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Prevention and Diversion

12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Coordinated Access

3 p.m. - 5 p.m. Building Political Will/Advocacy

Thursday, August 23, 2012

10 a.m. - noon Open office hours for Community Feedback

2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Presentation of Initial Findings/Community Feedback Session

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

10:00 a.m. - noon Presentation of the Final Report