The city of Houston will begin issuing warnings Friday for homeless encampments under freeway overpasses or panhandling in roadways.
Mayor Sylvester Turner earlier this week said violators of the ordinances adopted last month by city council will first receive a warning and information on what police are looking for.
“We've been out there, I've been out there myself, others are out there letting them know, getting people to understand the rules have changed,” the mayor said.
The city meanwhile is still looking for the funding needed to meet the mayor's goal of housing 500 chronic homeless people over the next six months.
“We are working feverishly to try to find the additional dollars so that we can remain on point, on target with permanent supportive housing, and I am optimistic that we will be able to say on track,” said Mayor Turner.
The plan hit a snag when Congress cut a HUD voucher program used to pay for permanent housing.
“There were some people who have stepped up and said yes mayor we will offer, and at the same time we are looking internally to try to find the additional dollars that we will need, that $2.1 million, to finish out our goal.”