Houston Police Department Programs Face Funding Cliff as Federal Relief Funds Expire
HOUSTON – Several key programs within the Houston Police Department are facing an uncertain future as federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding begins to run out,potentially impacting mental health response and domestic violence intervention efforts. While some initiatives have secured alternative funding, others, including a significant investment in patrol enhancements, lack a clear path forward.
A $25 million allocation for patrol enhancements – the department’s largest single expenditure – is currently without a designated replacement source, and police leadership has not yet addressed questions regarding its continuation.
Amid the shifting financial landscape, the crisis call diversion program, a partnership between the HPD and harris County mental health professionals, is one of the few initiatives guaranteed to continue. The $816,000 program utilizes state and federal funds to allow mental health professionals to monitor 911 calls and respond to individuals experiencing a crisis where a crime isn’t involved, according to Wayne Young, CEO of the harris Center for Mental Health and IDD.
“The initiative keeps mental health professionals monitoring 911 calls and able to field those of a person in crisis, where a crime might not be a component,” Young said.
However, other mental health-related programs are at risk. the $13 million mobile crisis outreach center, which dispatched mental health professionals alongside police on certain calls, has not secured continued funding. Houston leaders’ attempt to secure a budget rider from the Texas Legislature failed, leaving the program’s future in doubt.
The crisis intervention response team, a similar program, is currently funded through August 2026, with the police department having budgeted approximately $6.1 million for the initiative.
The future of the agency’s domestic abuse response teams (DART) also remains unclear. While city leaders have stated the team, which was expanded using coronavirus funds, will remain in place, details regarding its structure and funding have not been released, even as Harris County experiences a worsening domestic violence crisis.
