Department: Community Services
Department Head/Elected Official: Thao Costis, Executive Director
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Policy
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): N/A
MWDBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWDBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWDBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request for approval to change the department name from the Community Services Department to the Housing and Community Development Department.
end
Background and Discussion:
The Community Services Department has evolved, with our commitment to the community leading us to a name change. Rebranding as the Department of Housing and Community Development is clearer and more accurate. It allows the public, developers, partners, and our internal stakeholders to better understand the services we provide.
This rebrand better reflects our core mission, enhances our visibility, and underscores our dedication to excellence in serving Harris County residents through housing, development, and related services and partner support.
The Community Services Department has a rich history that spans over six decades. Below is a timeline of this transformation:
* Department established on February 1, 1957, as the Harris County Welfare Department
* In 1975, Commissioners' Court created the Harris County Community Development Agency to administer community development block grants from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, enveloping this unit within the Welfare Department
* In 1991, the Welfare Department was renamed the Housing and Community Development Department to reflect expanding responsibilities that were delegated to the department
* In 1995, the Housing and Community Development Department grow again, absorbing the Harris County Social Services Agency, further broadening the scope of the department
* B...
Click here for full text