What Makes Us Different
The Harris Center provides a wide array of housing services including homeless outreach, rehabilitative support, placement assistance, permanent supportive housing and crisis support for adults who are behaviorally ill. The Harris Center also provides outreach services through the Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) program.
For questions about these Services, scheduling appointments, and more, contact The Harris Center Patient Access Line.
713-970-7000
Crisis Residential Unit
Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program
Overview
The CRUs are a short-term, residential alternative to hospitalization or prolonged hospitalization. Using evidence-based interventions, we work with residents and supporters to improve skills for coping with distress, resolving and avoiding crises, functioning more effectively in the community and progressing in recovery. Services are available to residents of Harris County with serious behavioral illness who are experiencing a psychiatric crisis that cannot be easily managed in the outpatient setting and are referred through a clinical provider.
Who We Serve
Adults experiencing psychiatric crises who cannot be served safely and effectively in a less restrictive environment.
What to Expect
The CRU is a psychosocial rehabilitation program. This means that the CRU staff members are dedicated to teaching you skills that will help you avoid behavioral health crises and function more effectively in the future. The average length of stay at the CRU is 10 – 14 days.
Our Services
Interventions can be grouped into group work, individual therapy, and case management. Group services emphasize problem-solving groups, communication skills groups, anger management skills groups, life skills groups, and integrated groups addressing comorbid psychiatric and substance use issues. Cognitive behavioral techniques are offered in groups and individually to assist with problem-solving, communication and community reintegration.
These interventions aim to build positive relationships, promote de-escalation of symptoms, and assist the individual with managing distress. Care coordination emphasized community linkage to resources for aftercare support, outpatient medical, substance abuse treatment, housing referrals, and other individualized needs when possible clients are involved in activities of daily living with psych tech staff, such as rotating in assisting with meal preparation or collaboration on routine chores.
Overview
Twenty-four beds are available to provide rehabilitation services to people who are homeless and have severe behavioral illness. Participants receive comprehensive rehabilitation services to help them successfully transition to more permanent housing options. Estimated stays of 90-180 days.
Collaborating closely with the Coalition for the Homeless and UTHealth Homes, The Harris Center offers housing options and support for program participants.
Who We Serve
Hospital to Home is a voluntary program for homeless individuals at the time of discharge.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
Psych techs greet clients, and care coordinators provide a warm welcome to discuss the intake process and rules of the program upon arrival. A nurse gives the client a warm welcome before completing the medical evaluation.
Afterward, the client is offered food if hungry, taken to an assigned room, given new clothes while clothes are being washed, put in the dryer and asked to shower before joining peers for designated groups of the day.
The client can watch television, play video and board games, and enjoy different outside activities during leisure time after group.
Our Services
The support offered helps fill gaps in the system when they are in an unsafe location. This holistic approach to physical, psychiatric and social needs provides a well-rounded recovery plan.
- Temporary housing in a safe environment
- Healthy meals
- Therapeutic and life skills groups
- Clothing
- Assist with social services: SNAP benefits application, gold card application, long-term housing application, etc.
- Peer support
- Individual counseling
The H2H Program utilizes educational materials on Illness Management & Recovery (IMR), S.E.L.F-(a trauma-informed curriculum), Motivational Interviewing, Journaling, Music Therapy, Coping Skills, Health & Wellness, Life Skills, Creative Expressions, Financial/Budget, Physical Fitness, Ask the Nurse, and Peer Lead groups are some evidence-based practices to facilitate throughout the client’s residency.
Overview
The three-story building, formerly the Jail Diversion program, consists of 24 beds providing supportive housing services. Each Single Room Occupancy (SRO) unit has amenities such as a television, microwave, refrigerator, individual bathroom, air conditioner and heat. Residents have an estimated stay of up to 365 days.
Who We Serve
Individuals who are homeless, have a severe behavioral illness and are preparing to live independently in the community.
Independent Living is a voluntary program for homeless individuals, discharging from 1 of 3 Harris Center programs and considered chronically homeless through the Houston Coalition for the Homeless.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
Upon visiting the campus, you will find a serene environment with a beautiful patio area with a balance of shade and sun. Around-the-clock security officers create a peaceful campus in the heart of Mid-Town. Care Coordinators and Psychiatric Technicians are always available to assist.
Get started today
Referrals must come through the Houston Coalition or The Harris Center via PATH or
one of the 6160 South Loop East programs. Residents are not required to have income at entry into the program, although it is encouraged.
Testimonial
The first resident to enter our program in December 2020 was Patrick R. Patrick, a referral from Hospital to Home (H2H), who had been homeless for more than eight years before entering that program. Patrick is originally from North Carolina. During his time there, he set up an encampment in the woods of the Appalachian Mountains and lived there for a reported two to three years. He faced substance abuse and numerous behavioral and physical health issues.
Arriving in Houston three years ago, Patrick sought a better life. He began to seek treatment for all his issues, leading him to hospitalization. He was awarded Social Security benefits, entered H2H and ultimately, Independent Living. He was a model resident and continued to attend substance abuse classes.
Patrick has now been discharged from Independent Living into his apartment. Patrick attributed his success to “Being able to save some money and doing what I was supposed to do.”
Independent Living is proud of his accomplishments, and Patrick inspires other residents in the program.
Our Services
The program offers services such as three prepared meals daily, substance abuse and life skills groups, assistance with applying for benefits (SNAP and Social Security, among others), and Peer Support and Care Coordination with individualized entry and exit strategies.
Overview
The Step Down State Hospital Transition Program provides rehabilitation services to adults who are homeless and have a serious behavioral illness, and are being discharged from a State Hospital. This is a voluntary program that is open 24 hours/day, 365 days/year. The Step Down program has 8 beds available. The estimated stay for participants in the program is up to 365 days. Individuals participating in the program receive comprehensive rehabilitation services intended to help them successfully transition to more permanent housing options.
Eligibility
- Adults 18 years of age or older
- Being discharged from a State Hospital
Services
- Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services
- Housing services
Overview
The Enrichment Center at the Villas is The Harris Center program embedded inside the Villas at Eastwood Apartment complex. Behavioral health, substance use, and Peer support is provided to any tenant referred to the program. This is a collaborative project between The Harris Center, Allied Orion Property Management Group, Harris County Housing Authority, and Search Home-less. This is a voluntary program for adults who are willing to consent to services. Services are available Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM-7:00 PM.
Eligibility
- Adults 18 years of age or older
- Referred by Property Management, Harris County Housing Authority, Search Homeless Services, or through walk-ins
- History of behavioral illness or observed behavioral health concern.
Services
- Behavioral health
- Substance use services.
- Peer support
- Psychiatry
Overview
The Navigation Center Support Team operates out of the City of Houston's Navigation Center, a facility that temporarily houses individuals experiencing chronic homelessness waiting to be permanently housed. The team provides behavioral health, recovery, and peer support to the residents. Each resident is referred to the Navigation Center Support Team upon arrival through the Houston Management Information System (HMIS) by the housing program responsible for facility operations. This service is operating as a collaboration with The Coalition for the Homeless and Harmony House. Services are available Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM-7:00 PM. This is a voluntary program for adults who are willing to consent to services. All individuals referred to the Navigation Center Support Team have a history of chronic homelessness.
Eligibility
- Adults 18 years of age or older
- Must have been referred through the HMIS by the housing program responsible for facility operations.
- Must have a history of experiencing chronic homelessness.
Services
- Housing support services
- Behavioral health
- Recovery
- Peer support
The Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) is a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Grant funded Program which provides behavioral health treatment and supportive services to homeless individuals diagnosed with a behavioral illness and/or substance use disorder.
Goal
Our goal of the program is to increase the client’s environment and psychiatric stability and improve their quality of life, to assist them in transitioning to mainstream behavioral health services in Harris Center or other appropriate clinics.
Demographic Criteria
- Adults ages 18 and older
- Homeless or at risk of becoming homeless
- Diagnosed with a major behavioral illness and/or substance use disorder
- Not currently receiving services at another Harris Center Clinic or enrolled in another PATH program
Referral Sources
- We may refer individuals for PATH services through a variety of sources:
- Walk into the center & request assistance
- Assertive Outreach
- Shelters & Other Homeless Providers within the Continuum of Care (CoC)
- Internal Harris Center referrals via Access Line or clinics
- Houston Police Department (HPD)
- Harris County Sheriff's Office (HCSO)
- Homeless Outreach Team (HOT)
- Local Hospitals
Community Partners
- Coalition for The Homeless: manages The Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)
- Beacon Law: assist clients with Social Security applications for benefits
- Houston Food Bank: assist clients with the application for food stamps and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits
- Main Street Ministries (a.k.a. Operation ID): assist clients with obtaining officially accepted identification documents
- St. Hope Foundation: HIV education on site
- Houston Recovery Center (a.k.a. Sobering Center): provide education and assist consumers with substance use and recovery
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): facilitates peer support groups twice weekly
