Houston’s Civility Ordinance may soon enforce a 24-hour ban on street sleeping in downtown areas.
HOUSTON — A city ordinance aimed at addressing homelessness in Houston is one step closer to expanding into more neighborhoods. Known as the city’s Civility Ordinance, the proposal is part of the Whitmire administration’s broader push to increase efforts to manage homelessness in popular parts of the city.
Currently, Houston’s Civility Ordinance prohibits people from lying down, sitting, or placing personal belongings on city sidewalks between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. But those restrictions only apply to certain neighborhoods.
The proposed expansion would extend those same restrictions to a 24-hour ban, starting with two areas: the Central Business District and East Downtown (EaDo).
Mayor John Whitmire says he expects the ordinance to pass and believes it will help both the unhoused and nearby businesses.
“We have so many residences downtown now,” Whitmire said. “And we got Discovery Green and I can go on and on. We need to have a civility ordinance downtown. That would be very compassionate! And it allows HPD to have another tool to help those that need encouragement to get off the street.”
The ordinance expansion would allow police officers to enforce the sleeping ban around the clock in the targeted areas, providing a new tool to address street homelessness.
Houston residents will have the chance to provide input at a city council meeting this afternoon at 1:30 p.m. Those who wish to speak must register in advance by calling the city or emailing speakers@houstontx.gov.
A vote on the ordinance is expected on Wednesday.