The Houston City Council recently voted to expand the city’s civility ordinance to the Central Business District and the East End. We understand that even if you don’t live or work in those areas, this decision will have a significant impact on all Houstonians. It is another tool in my plan to end street homelessness.
Currently, the ordinance bans people from sitting, lying down, or placing belongings on sidewalks from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. in designated areas. The pilot program expansion enforces the rules for 24 hours. It will provide individuals with a pathway from the street into a stable and safe environment.
It’s important to understand that the ordinance is not about criminalization. It’s about providing a structured, compassionate approach to help those who are most vulnerable. Too many unhoused people are sick or mentally ill, living under bridges and in our parks. Based on this plan, no one is going to be taken off the streets unless there is a bed and a plan to get them mental health services.
According to Larry Satterwhite, whom I appointed as Director of Public Safety and Homeland Security for the City of Houston, this is a problem that has been ongoing for decades, not just in Houston but across the nation. Right here in our area, we lose hundreds of people every year on the streets. They die under bridges. They die on sidewalks. We cannot continue down this path.
Keeping Public Safety a Priority
Recently, I was proud to join Houston Police Department Chief Noe Diaz and Public Works Director Randy Macchi in cutting the ribbon on the newly renovated Central Patrol Station at 1217 Morin — a building with over 100 years of history, now ready to serve Houston’s future and ensure its safety. The station will house both HPD Central Patrol and Special Operations. As part of the project, a new shared parking garage was also announced to serve both HPD and the Houston Public Works Permitting Center, a strong example of collaboration across departments that will better serve our city.
Record-breaking news for Houston
The research group Tourism Economics for Houston First recently reported some great news for the City of Houston. In 2024, our city welcomed 53.9 million visitors, who spent a record $10.8 billion, resulting in a total economic impact of $16.6 billion. Tourism supported nearly 122,000 local jobs and brought in $2.2 billion in state and local taxes.
Houston is on the rise—and the world is taking notice.