Texas Transportation Code §502.415 allocates State transportation funds in the form of EH Funds to any municipality with a population of 285,000 or more, per the 1 Year American Community Survey (ACS) data. These funds are appropriated annually by the legislature using a formula allocation. These funds may be used for financial assistance and case management support to assist Plano’s homeless population with obtaining affordable rental housing within Plano city limits; provision of direct services and case management to homeless persons or persons at-risk of homelessness; or, other homelessness-related activity as approved by TDHCA. The City of Plano is one of nine cities that receive EH funds. Eligible cities may choose whether to receive the funds directly or give their entitlement allocation to a nonprofit entity to serve as the direct funding recipient with TDHCA.
The City of Plano became an EH recipient on September 1, 2019. Using a competitive Request for Proposals process, the City of Plano selected City House, Inc. and the Assistance Center of Collin County to administer a Rapid Re-Housing Program. City House, Inc. served as the lead agency for the program and ensured that all program recipients received the necessary services to become self-sufficient. In 2021, City House, Inc. and the Assistance Center of Collin County decided to no longer administer the Rapid Re-Housing Program and focus on their core agency programs. Therefore, utilizing a request for proposal process, the Salvation Army-Plano location was selected to administer the Rapid Re-Housing Program. The program continues to provide financial assistance and case management support to assist Plano’s homeless population with obtaining affordable rental housing within Plano city limits. Program participants can receive assistance with security and utility deposits, payment of rental arrears, rental assistance, case management, and payment of essential services as needed, such as transportation or childcare.
Since the program’s inception, the program has assisted 110 individuals obtain housing. As participants exit the program, Salvation Army tracks housing retention to measure program success. To date, 52 people have maintained their housing at least three months after exiting the program.