Harris County Commissioners Approve $4 Million Investment in Domestic Violence Response System
In a unanimous decision, Harris County Commissioners Court has approved a $4 million investment aimed at improving support and resources for survivors of domestic violence. The new initiative, led by Commissioner Lesley Briones, seeks to address the significant gaps in the county's domestic violence response system, which has been underfunded despite rising demand for services.
Harris County has faced a growing domestic violence crisis in recent years. The county has led the state in intimate partner violence homicides since 2022, and calls to domestic violence shelters have surpassed pre-pandemic levels. With a population of over 4.7 million, Harris County has only 330 shelter beds, resulting in a severe shortage of space. As a result, 75% of individuals seeking shelter are turned away, and the situation is compounded by a broader shortage of resources and services for survivors.
The Harris County Domestic Violence System Coordination and Support Services Project aims to alleviate some of these challenges. The project will work to reduce the shelter turn-away rate by at least 10% over the next four years. Key strategies include building capacity within domestic violence response organizations, expanding community outreach efforts, and securing sustainable funding partnerships. The initiative will also rely on data-driven evaluations to continually refine best practices in supporting survivors.
The initial $1 million allocation, part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Flexible funding, will be awarded to the Houston Area Women’s Center (HAWC) to lead this new effort. HAWC, in collaboration with other local organizations, will focus on improving coordination and access to life-saving services for survivors.
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Commissioner Lesley Briones, who spearheaded the initiative, expressed her commitment to ensuring the safety of domestic violence survivors. “Everyone deserves to be safe and free from violence,” Briones said. “This investment is a crucial step toward addressing the urgent needs of survivors while building a collaborative system to break the cycle of abuse.”
Since 2022, Harris County has already committed nearly $20 million in ARPA and General Funds to address domestic violence. Additional efforts include the Domestic Violence Assistance Fund, Early Childhood Resiliency Fund, and the Emergency Response Docket. These initiatives reflect a broader strategy to tackle domestic violence from multiple angles, including prevention, support for survivors, and legal interventions.
Commissioner Rodney Ellis, who has long been a proponent of addressing domestic violence, noted that state policies have contributed to the crisis. He pointed to Texas’ gun laws and restrictions on reproductive healthcare as factors that exacerbate domestic violence. However, Ellis emphasized that Harris County is committed to fighting the issue through a comprehensive, community-driven approach. “Today’s investment in better response systems is one more tool in our toolbox, and one more example of our community coming together—survivors, advocates, policymakers, and community members—to end the scourge of domestic violence,” he said.
Former Harris County Sheriff and current Commissioner Adrian Garcia underscored the importance of not only holding perpetrators accountable but also providing specialized care for survivors. Garcia, who has seen firsthand the devastating effects of domestic violence, stressed that improving access to services for survivors is essential to breaking the cycle of abuse. He described the new funding as a transformative investment that would expand the capacity of local organizations to support survivors and their families.
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In addition to the county commissioners, leaders from domestic violence advocacy organizations have voiced their strong support for the initiative. Emilee D. Whitehurst, President and CEO of the Houston Area Women’s Center, expressed gratitude for the funding, emphasizing its potential to improve coordination among local agencies. Whitehurst highlighted the alarming rates of femicide in the region and the urgent need for expanded services. She said, “The Houston Area Women’s Center is honored to receive this investment from the County to improve the coordination of life-saving services for survivors of domestic violence.”
Barbie Brashear, Executive Director of the Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council (HCDVCC), also praised the funding. She explained that the new resources would provide a unique opportunity to address the specific needs of survivors and improve how the community responds to domestic violence. Brashear emphasized the importance of listening to survivors and adapting the system to better meet their needs.
Dr. Elizabeth Gregory, Director of the University of Houston Institute for Research on Women, Gender & Sexuality, echoed these sentiments, noting that the funding would not only expand services but also improve data collection, which could inform future policy decisions. She described the new initiative as a significant step toward creating a safer environment for survivors and advancing the county’s long-term efforts to combat domestic violence.
This $4 million investment is part of a broader effort by Harris County to address the domestic violence crisis. It reflects a commitment to supporting survivors, strengthening community partnerships, and building a more coordinated, sustainable response system.
For more information on domestic violence resources, visit the Houston Area Women’s Center (hawc.org), the Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council (hcdvcc.org), and the Texas Council on Family Violence (tcfv.org/ok). Individuals in need of immediate assistance can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
