HOUSTON – As the longest government shutdown in U.S. history stretches on, homelessness is growing more visible across the Houston area, and one woman says the state’s 211 helpline, meant to connect people to services, did not help when she needed it most.
Kimberly Kisinger said she and her daughter were recently evicted. Now homeless, she’s been forced to store her belongings between her broken-down SUV and a garage at her mother’s senior living complex, where she is not allowed to stay. Kisinger, who says she is mentally disabled and unable to work full time, told KPRC 2 she once relied on gig work but lost that ability after her car became inoperable.
“She had a long list of classes and programs she completed — first-time homebuyers, financial stability, a poverty education program — but still couldn’t find housing,” Deven Clarke reports. Kisinger said calling and texting 211 sent her in circles: referrals that led to full shelters, waiting lists and repeated instructions to call 211 again.
“I believe there’s a much bigger story that needs to be told — one about the illusion of accessible help for Houston’s homeless community,” Kisinger wrote in a letter to KPRC 2. “Every number listed either redirects to another number, ends with ‘we’re out of funds,’ or tells you to call 211.”
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission, which operates 211 in the state, provided KPRC 2 with some of the same resources Kisinger said she had already tried. In response to questions about plans to improve 211’s functionality or expand services for people experiencing homelessness or mental illness, a staff member supplied resource information but did not outline broader changes.
Kisinger said she will keep pushing for change. “I want to make something change. I want to make a difference,” she told Clarke. “If I don’t share my story, it’s not going to change.”
If you need immediate help, officials continue to direct callers to 211 for referrals to local shelters and social services. KPRC 2 has reached out to local providers and the state for additional comment and will update this story as more information becomes available.
Here’s a list of links that can possibly assist you and your family:
HHSC-certified Community Partners can provide a comprehensive list of local organizations and services that offer assistance with food security, such as food banks, community kitchens, and meal programs. They can also explain eligibility criteria for these resources and help people with the required paperwork.
Texans can also access the Community Partner, Feeding Texas, to locate the nearest food banks, view distribution schedules and access information on additional nutrition assistance programs.
The HHS Ombudsman assists the public with issues and concerns with HHS services and programs. People can contact the Ombudsman at 877-787-8999. More information about the Ombudsman and an online portal can be found here: https://www.hhs.texas.gov/contact/complaints-appeals/hhs-office-ombudsman.