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Houston and local philanthropic partners have launched Pathways to Independence, a three-year, $48 million initiative aimed at expanding how the city responds to homelessness. So far $34 million has been committed. Rather than funding permanent housing directly, the money will support "rapid resolutions" — short-term stabilization, behavioral health coordination and other quick interventions for people who don't qualify for or need long-term housing programs. Officials set a 90-day goal for resolving new cases of homelessness. A philanthropic-led committee, not the city, will decide how funds are distributed, and the effort is meant to complement rather than replace Houston's existing system, which has housed more than 38,000 people through The Way Home.

The plan comes as residents near the 419 Emancipation shelter, which opened in May, raise safety concerns about homelessness persisting in surrounding parks and trails. Of 423 people served there, 124 moved into permanent housing while 147 exited without a documented placement. Mayor John Whitmire called the facility important but said more "exit doors" are needed. Officials have not projected how many people the new funding will help.