Expanded Civility Ordinance approved by Houston City Council

Expanded Civility Ordinance approved by Houston City Council

**Houston City Council Expands Civility Ordinance to Address Homelessness**

In a significant move, the Houston City Council has voted to expand its Civility Ordinance, which now includes 24-hour enforcement in Downtown and East Downtown. This decision, made on July 16, 2025, marks a crucial step in addressing homelessness in the city.

The ordinance previously prohibited sitting, lying down, or placing belongings on sidewalks from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. in designated areas. However, the expansion makes these restrictions apply around the clock in Downtown and East Downtown. This move is part of a larger $70 million plan to end street homelessness, aiming to ensure that those affected receive mental health services and other support rather than simply being removed from the streets.

Exemptions exist for medical emergencies, individuals with disabilities using mobility devices, and those attending events like festivals or parades. Violators could face up to a $500 fine or receive a citation.

A new amendment to the ordinance allows peace officers to connect individuals experiencing homelessness with mental health crisis resources. This includes dispatching specialized teams like the Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (MCOT) or the Crisis Intervention Response Team when officers encounter someone in a mental health crisis.

The expanded ordinance starts with Downtown and East Downtown due to the concentration of homeless individuals in these areas. As resources allow, the city plans to expand to other neighborhoods. Community members can petition to have their neighborhoods included under the civility ordinance by collecting signatures and presenting a petition to the city secretary.

The petition must include signatures from property owners whose property represents 20% of the area being proposed. At least 100 adults (age 18 or older) who live in the proposed area must sign the petition. The completed petition must be submitted to the city secretary within 90 days of the first signature.

Council Members Tarahsa Jackson and Abbie Kamin voted "no" on the change to the ordinance. John Nicks, a resident in the Heights, voiced concern about the potential criminalization of the homeless population. Despite these concerns, the majority of the council saw this expansion as a humanitarian effort, not a law enforcement effort, as described by Satterwhite.

[1] Houston Chronicle. (2025, July 17). Houston City Council to expand Civility Ordinance. Retrieved from https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/houston-city-council-to-expand-civility-16842984.php [2] KPRC Click2Houston. (2025, July 17). Houston City Council expands Civility Ordinance. Retrieved from https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2025/07/17/houston-city-council-expands-civility-ordinance/ [3] ABC13 Houston. (2025, July 17). Houston City Council votes to expand Civility Ordinance. Retrieved from https://abc13.com/houston/houston-city-council-votes-to-expand-civility-ordinance/10587939/ [4] Houston Public Media. (2025, July 17). Houston City Council expands Civility Ordinance to address homelessness. Retrieved from https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/houston-city-council-expands-civility-ordinance-to-address-homelessness/ [5] Community Impact Newspaper. (2025, July 17). Houston City Council approves expanded Civility Ordinance. Retrieved from https://communityimpact.com/houston/downtown/2025/07/17/houston-city-council-approves-expanded-civility-ordinance/

1. The expansion of Houston's Civility Ordinance, a significant move in addressing homelessness, will now include 24-hour enforcement in Downtown and East Downtown, which is part of a larger $70 million plan for end street homelessness.
2. The new ordinance aims to provide mental health services and support to those affected rather than merely removing them from the streets, with provisions for medical emergencies, individuals with disabilities, and event attendees.
3. Violators could face fines or citations, but a new amendment allows peace officers to connect individuals experiencing homelessness with mental health crisis resources, like dispatching specialized teams when officers encounter someone in a mental health crisis.
4. The ordinance's implementation begins with Downtown and East Downtown, due to the concentration of homeless individuals in these areas, but the city plans to expand to other neighborhoods as resources allow. Community members can petition to include their neighborhoods under the civility ordinance.
5. The petition requires signatures from property owners whose property represents 20% of the area being proposed and at least 100 adults who live in the proposed area. The completed petition must be submitted to the city secretary within 90 days of the first signature, as detailed in community news sources and policy-and-legislation updates.

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