MAYOR BILL WHITE, CITY COUNCIL HONOR ASTROS STAR JEFF BAGWELL, ACCEPT BAGWELL CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT HOMELESS PROGRAM
January 30, 2007 -- Mayor Bill White today joined Council Member Carol Alvarado and other City Council members in welcoming the Houston Astros' Jeff Bagwell to City Hall and honoring the recently retired first baseman's All-Star career. Mayor White declared today "Jeff Bagwell Day" in Houston and joined others in receiving a $25,000 donation from the Jeff Bagwell Foundation to help the Coalition for the Homeless "Rapid Rehousing" program.
"Jeff is the greatest hitter in Astros history and as a ballplayer, a team leader and a great community-minded Houstonian we all appreciate having been witness to his career here," said Mayor White. "The generosity of his gift to the homeless program proves he's a valuable player off the field, too."
"I've wanted to honor Jeff Bagwell for some time now," said Council Member Carol Alvarado. "In his playing career and now in his retirement, Jeff has always embodied hard work, leadership, and loyalty. Jeff's generosity towards the Coalition for the Homeless epitomizes his love for his city and his fellow Houstonians."
"It means a great deal to receive this honor from the mayor," said Bagwell. "I played my entire career in Houston and I have a great deal of respect and affection for this city and its residents.
"This great community is facing a growing challenge of homelessness, and I am proud to play a small role in the mayor's efforts to help those affected by this problem," Bagwell added.
The Houston Rapid Re-Housing program was made possible with challenge grants from the Houston Housing Finance Corporation ($100,000) and Central Houston, Inc. ($25,000). The joint City/Harris County program began in December with 20 individuals housed at the Northline SRO (Single Room Occupancy), formerly known as the SHED and originally funded by the City of Houston and Harris County, at 3939 North Freeway (I-45 @ Loop 610).
Rapid Re-Housing is one of the strategies of the Houston/Harris County Strategic Plan To Address Homelessness. The program is a "housing first" strategy in which funds are used for up-front, 90-day rental assistance with plans for the individual to take over the lease and have a permanent place to live. While in the program, case managers assist persons with jobs to help connect them with disability benefits and/or Social Security and other services.
The mayor and Council Member Alvarado have worked with the Blue Ribbon Commission on Homelessness, which includes the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County, former City Councilmember Gordon Quan and Executive Director of the Houston Downtown Management District Bob Eury, both of whom were on hand with Coalition Director Anthony Love to receive Bagwell's contribution.
Information about the program and the mayor's "Real Change, Not Spare Change" program can be found at www.homelesshouston.org.
