Harris Health Mobile Unit Brings Critical Medical Care to Cy-Fair’s Homeless Through Partnership with Cy-Fair Helping Hands
For many individuals experiencing homelessness in the Cy-Fair area, healthcare often meant long waits in overcrowded emergency rooms—if they were able to receive care at all. That’s now beginning to change thanks to a new collaboration between Harris Health System and Cy-Fair Helping Hands (CFHH), bringing mobile medical services directly to those in need.
The initiative, which began in late 2023 after renewed outreach between the two organizations, marks a significant step in addressing healthcare equity for unhoused and housing-insecure residents in northwest Harris County. Harris Health's mobile unit now visits the CFHH campus twice a month, offering primary care, referrals, lab and imaging scheduling, and even transportation to follow-up appointments.
“Our clients are thrilled to have access to medical care through the mobile unit,” said Jean Dreyer, founder of CFHH and a longtime volunteer. “It’s already making a meaningful difference for people who would have gone without care or relied on the ER instead.”
Meeting a Growing Need in the Community
This partnership comes at a critical time. According to the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County, nearly 3,300 individuals in the region are experiencing homelessness on any given night—and many lack basic access to healthcare. For communities like Cy-Fair, where services are often stretched thin, solutions like mobile health clinics for the homeless are not only innovative but urgently needed.
Harris Health System, the county’s public health authority, is nationally recognized for providing care to underserved populations. Their mobile health units are designed to bridge gaps by delivering care directly into the community—especially to individuals who face logistical, financial, or systemic barriers to treatment.
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Health Services with Dignity and Consistency
The mobile unit at CFHH doesn’t just provide medical checkups—it delivers continuity of care in a setting where trust and relationships are often missing from traditional healthcare models.
“With the mobile unit visiting our facility, clients now have convenient access to medical attention when they need it most,” Dreyer said. “Seeing the same doctor each visit builds trust and ensures conditions are managed properly.”
One client’s story illustrates this impact clearly. A man battling brain cancer and suffering from seizures was once bounced between emergency departments, receiving conflicting care due to inconsistent treatment. Now, through the mobile clinic, he sees the same physician at every visit—ensuring accurate medication, proper monitoring, and specialist referrals when needed.
“This continuity has not only improved his health, but has given him dignity and personalized attention he wasn’t getting before,” Dreyer shared. “It’s the kind of care everyone deserves.”
Integration with Comprehensive Services at CFHH
Cy-Fair Helping Hands is more than a drop-in center—it’s a multifaceted support hub. The nonprofit operates a food pantry, street outreach teams, and a day center for people experiencing homelessness, providing meals, showers, laundry, and a safe place to rest.
Adding direct medical services has been a long-sought goal for CFHH.
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“By integrating health and dental care into our existing programs, we’re helping clients move closer to stability,” Dreyer said. “It’s another way we empower people to regain control of their lives.”
Beginning in June, the partnership will expand to include regular visits from Harris Health’s mobile dental unit, addressing one of the most pressing—and often unmet—needs in homeless healthcare.
Overcoming Barriers to Care
Setting up the partnership wasn’t without challenges. The initial hurdle was simply finding the right contact at Harris Health. But once a connection was made, the collaboration quickly gained momentum. In fact, the first visit from the mobile unit drew more clients than it could serve in a single day, prompting Harris Health to increase the frequency of visits to meet demand.
Beyond logistics, the broader goal is healthcare access without stigma or red tape. Each visit also allows clients to enroll in the Gold Card program, which provides no- or low-cost medical coverage to eligible individuals in Harris County.
A Call to Community Action
CFHH hopes this partnership not only transforms individual lives but also raises awareness of the urgent needs in the Cy-Fair area.
“The growing number of homeless individuals and families here underscores a real need for action,” Dreyer emphasized. “We hope our community will recognize the value of this service and help spread the word.”
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The collaboration between Harris Health and Cy-Fair Helping Hands is a model of how mobile health services in Houston can reach those who need care most—bringing compassion, consistency, and dignity to people too often left behind.
For more information on Cy-Fair Helping Hands or how to support this initiative, visit cyfairhelpinghands.org.
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.
