If you are experiencing homelessness and you would like to be assessed for available housing options in the Heart of Texas region, please call Heart to Home Coordinated Entry at 254-297-8929, or go to an access point to be assessed.
Make a donation to the Heart of Texas Homeless Coalition!
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Heart of Texas Homeless Coalition
The Heart of Texas Homeless Coalition (HOTHC) is recognized as a 503c3 tax exempt organization.
The HOTHC works towards:
- Fostering public education & awareness about the issue of homelessness.
- Improve outreach to homeless persons.
- Identify gaps or duplications in services and develop strategic plans to provide a continuum of care when serving the homeless.
- Advocate for quality institutional and non-institutional care and individualized treatment for the mentally ill homeless.
The services and programs of member organizations include, but are not limited to:
- Housing
- Crisis Intervention
- Psychosocial Rehabilitation
- Case Management
- Client Advocacy
- Family Education and Support
The HOTHC meets monthly on the third Friday of the month at 11:45. Member organization take turns providing lunch. If you would like to reserve a lunch, please email with your RSVP by no later than 5:00 on the Tuesday before the Friday meeting. Meeting locations vary from month to month. For the most up to date information on meeting location please call, email or check the website: www.heartoftexashomeless.org/heart-of-texas-homeless-coalition-calendar-of-events/meeting-dates
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released the FY 2025 Continuum of Care Competition and Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program Grants Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) on November 13, 2025.
The Heart of Texas Continuum of Care (CoC) is pleased to announce the release of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 CoC Internal Competition Request for Proposals (RFP). All organizations interested in applying for HUD CoC funding—whether for new, expansion, or renewal projects—are invited to review the RFP materials and submit project applications for consideration.
Applications are due on December 9, 2025, by 7:00am.
To support applicants, the CoC will host an Informational Meeting this week:
📅 Friday, November 21
🕧 12:30 PM
📍 South Waco Community Center
2815 Speight Ave., Waco, TX
During this session, we will review the competition timeline, application requirements, and key HUD expectations for FY25. This is also an opportunity for applicants to ask questions before submitting their projects.
RFP documents, forms, and instructions will be available on the Heart of Texas Homeless Coalition website at https://www.heartoftexashomeless.org/fy-2025-coc-yhdp-nofo/.
If you have any questions, please send them to hothc@prosperwaco.org.
The Heart of Texas Continuum of Care (CoC) is pleased to announce the release of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 CoC Internal Competition Request for Proposals (RFP). All organizations interested in applying for HUD CoC funding—whether for new, expansion, or renewal projects—are invited to review the RFP materials and submit project applications for consideration.
Applications are due on December 9, 2025, by 7:00am.
To support applicants, the CoC will host an Informational Meeting this week:
📅 Friday, November 21
🕧 12:30 PM
📍 South Waco Community Center
2815 Speight Ave., Waco, TX
During this session, we will review the competition timeline, application requirements, and key HUD expectations for FY25. This is also an opportunity for applicants to ask questions before submitting their projects.
RFP documents, forms, and instructions will be available on the Heart of Texas Homeless Coalition website at https://www.heartoftexashomeless.org/fy-2025-coc-yhdp-nofo/.
If you have any questions, please send them to hothc@prosperwaco.org.
FY 2025 CoC/YHDP NOFO – HEART OF TEXAS HOMELESS COALITION
NOFO Information and Materials for CoC & YHDP Grantees FY 2025 Awards FY 2025 TX-604 Heart of Texas CoC Awards FY 2025 Texas CoC Awards FY 2025 TX-604 NOFO Debriefing FY 2025 Collaborative Application FY 2025 TX-604 Grant Inventory Worksheet FY 2025 TX-604 CoC Application FY 2025 Priority List Appli...
Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week
Each year, this week invites communities nationwide to raise awareness about hunger, housing insecurity, and the work needed to ensure everyone has a safe place to call home.
To begin the week, we’re honored to share the inspiring story of our Board Chair, Christy Ortiz—a leader, advocate, and person with lived experience whose journey reflects the strength and resilience within our community.
“In 2011, I was pregnant with my 8th child and moving between friends’ homes, motels, our car, and even the Family Abuse Center. Eventually, my family found stability at Compassion Ministries—my first experience with social workers who would change my life.
Even after moving into an apartment, addiction continued to impact my family, and by 2014 we were homeless again. This time, I shared the truth with my social worker. She helped me enter treatment at Cenikor and returned my family to Compassion, where we rebuilt our lives.
Over the next several years, I earned my associate degree from MCC, completed my bachelor’s and master’s degrees at UTA, became an LMSW, and am now pursuing my LCSW. I am also the case manager for HOTTCHY, a first-of-its-kind transitional housing program through HOTBHN.
I hope to continue giving back what was given to me for as long as I am able.”
Christy’s story is a reminder that when our community invests in people, lives transform—and lasting change is possible.
💛 Join us in supporting efforts to prevent and end homelessness.
Your time, voice, or contribution can make a real difference.
https://www.heartoftexashomeless.org/
Each year, this week invites communities nationwide to raise awareness about hunger, housing insecurity, and the work needed to ensure everyone has a safe place to call home.
To begin the week, we’re honored to share the inspiring story of our Board Chair, Christy Ortiz—a leader, advocate, and person with lived experience whose journey reflects the strength and resilience within our community.
“In 2011, I was pregnant with my 8th child and moving between friends’ homes, motels, our car, and even the Family Abuse Center. Eventually, my family found stability at Compassion Ministries—my first experience with social workers who would change my life.
Even after moving into an apartment, addiction continued to impact my family, and by 2014 we were homeless again. This time, I shared the truth with my social worker. She helped me enter treatment at Cenikor and returned my family to Compassion, where we rebuilt our lives.
Over the next several years, I earned my associate degree from MCC, completed my bachelor’s and master’s degrees at UTA, became an LMSW, and am now pursuing my LCSW. I am also the case manager for HOTTCHY, a first-of-its-kind transitional housing program through HOTBHN.
I hope to continue giving back what was given to me for as long as I am able.”
Christy’s story is a reminder that when our community invests in people, lives transform—and lasting change is possible.
💛 Join us in supporting efforts to prevent and end homelessness.
Your time, voice, or contribution can make a real difference.
https://www.heartoftexashomeless.org/
We are looking for a Secretary to join our mission in ending homelessness in Central Texas. There are no prerequisites other than being passionate about helping people experiencing homelessness.
The board meets twice a month on the first Thursday of the month from 9:30am-11:00am and the third Thursday of the month from 1:00pm-2:00pm.
If you are interested please let me know and we can talk more about it.
- Christy Ortiz, Board Chair
The board meets twice a month on the first Thursday of the month from 9:30am-11:00am and the third Thursday of the month from 1:00pm-2:00pm.
If you are interested please let me know and we can talk more about it.
- Christy Ortiz, Board Chair
HUD’s proposal to cap permanent housing funds could take effect as soon as January 2026, putting more than 2,000 Texans—including families, seniors, and people with disabilities—at risk of losing their homes.
👉 Act now: Urge Congress to advocate for a 12-month renewal of current CoC grants to allow time for strategic planning so that housing stability isn’t disrupted for thousands of individuals and families.
These are our neighbors who’ve found safety and stability through HUD-funded housing. Their stories matter.
📢 Share their stories.
📢 Contact your Members of Congress.
📢 Help us protect life-saving housing programs.
#ProtectCoCFunding #HousingIsHealthcare #EndHomelessness
👉 Act now: Urge Congress to advocate for a 12-month renewal of current CoC grants to allow time for strategic planning so that housing stability isn’t disrupted for thousands of individuals and families.
These are our neighbors who’ve found safety and stability through HUD-funded housing. Their stories matter.
📢 Share their stories.
📢 Contact your Members of Congress.
📢 Help us protect life-saving housing programs.
#ProtectCoCFunding #HousingIsHealthcare #EndHomelessness
Due to the federal government shutdown, SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits are at risk of not being paid out starting November 1st, unless a funding agreement is reached.
More than 3.5 million Texans rely on SNAP — including 1.7 million children and 700,000 seniors. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission warns that if the shutdown isn’t resolved soon, November payments will NOT go out.
In August, over $614 million in food assistance went out statewide — about $379 per family. Without it, many families may struggle to afford groceries.
If you or someone you know relies on SNAP, check the link below for local food pantries and resources. Please share this post to help spread the word!
https://www.prosperwaco.org/health
More than 3.5 million Texans rely on SNAP — including 1.7 million children and 700,000 seniors. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission warns that if the shutdown isn’t resolved soon, November payments will NOT go out.
In August, over $614 million in food assistance went out statewide — about $379 per family. Without it, many families may struggle to afford groceries.
If you or someone you know relies on SNAP, check the link below for local food pantries and resources. Please share this post to help spread the word!
https://www.prosperwaco.org/health