Between thirty-four (34%) and fifty (50%) percent of the Houston's nearly 10,000 homeless individuals have identified illness and/or health related conditions as the primary factor leading to their homelessness. A 1999 needs assessment survey showed that clients seeking healthcare services at existing clinic sites often were turned away because of limited capacity, that the unmet need for homeless healthcare is growing, and that the homeless continue to seek medical care primarily at hospital emergency rooms, the least effective and most costly option.

HHH programs are coordinated through an Administrative Team consisting of a Medical Director and an Executive Director. The HHH Advisory Council incorporates representation from community-based agencies providing services to the homeless, healthcare clinicians, homeless ombudsmen, and referral agencies. Programmatic needs are identified through an annual needs assessment and recommendations from the Advisory Council. The Administrative Team develops a strategic plan to address these needs, which is given a vote of "confidence/no confidence" by the Advisory Council. HHH operates as a Sponsored Project within the Greater Houston Community Foundation, which provides fiduciary oversight and assistance with organizational development.

David S. Buck, M.D., M.P.H.
President and Chief Medical Officer
P.O. Box 66690
Houston, TX 77266
TEL: (713) 798-6067
FAX: (713) 759-1502

dbuck@bcm.tmc.edu

Frances Isbell, M.A.
Executive Director
P.O. Box 66690
Houston, TX 77266
TEL: (713) 798-6067
FAX: (713) 759-1502
fisbell@bcm.tmc.edu