University of Houston Launches the Institute for Housing, Homelessness, and Health

The University of Houston has launched the Institute for Housing, Homelessness, and Health, an ambitious new university-wide initiative under UH Health that brings together expertise in healthcare, social work, public policy, law, data science and other disciplines to help communities better understand and ultimately end homelessness.

Established through an anonymous $5 million gift, the institute, known as IH3, will work alongside housing providers, healthcare organizations, policymakers and community partners to identify needs and challenges, and turn University research and expertise into practical solutions.

“The institute was built by listening to our community partners who told us they need better ways to learn together, coordinate across systems and evaluate what works,” said Ben King, clinical associate professor at the Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine and founding director of the Institute for Housing, Homelessness, and Health. “IH3 was established in response to that need, bringing together University expertise and community knowledge to strengthen programs, better integrate data and help turn what we learn into impactful solutions.”

The goal of IH3 will be to equip communities with the evidence, tools and partnerships needed to better understand the root causes of homelessness, uncover gaps across housing, healthcare and other services, help them scale what works, improve what doesn’t. By looking beyond individual programs to the broader system, the institute aims to identify where changes can have the greatest impact.

Ben King, clinical associate professor at UH's Fertitta College of Medicine and founding director of the Institute for Housing, Homelessness, and Health

The University of Houston has launched the Institute for Housing, Homelessness, and Health, an ambitious new university-wide initiative under UH Health that brings together expertise in healthcare, social work, public policy, law, data science and other disciplines to help communities better understand and ultimately end homelessness.

Established through an anonymous $5 million gift, the institute, known as IH3, will work alongside housing providers, healthcare organizations, policymakers and community partners to identify needs and challenges, and turn University research and expertise into practical solutions.

ben king standing in the college of medicine — Ben King, clinical associate professor at UH's Fertitta College of Medicine and founding director of the Institute for Housing, Homelessness, and Health

Ben King, clinical associate professor at UH's Fertitta College of Medicine and founding director of the Institute for Housing, Homelessness, and Health

“The institute was built by listening to our community partners who told us they need better ways to learn together, coordinate across systems and evaluate what works,” said Ben King, clinical associate professor at the Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine and founding director of the Institute for Housing, Homelessness, and Health. “IH3 was established in response to that need, bringing together University expertise and community knowledge to strengthen programs, better integrate data and help turn what we learn into impactful solutions.”

The goal of IH3 will be to equip communities with the evidence, tools and partnerships needed to better understand the root causes of homelessness, uncover gaps across housing, healthcare and other services, help them scale what works, improve what doesn’t. By looking beyond individual programs to the broader system, the institute aims to identify where changes can have the greatest impact.

“The institute was built by listening to our community partners who told us they need better ways to learn together, coordinate across systems and evaluate what works.”

- Ben King, founding director of the Institute for Housing, Homelessness, and Health

A group of people sitting around a table with laptops. On the table there are laptops, glasses, papers, pens, and other objects. In the background, there are people standing on the floor, some of them holding bags, and lights on the ceiling. The image is in black and white.

Building on Houston’s Progress

Houston has earned national recognition for reducing homelessness by more than 60% since 2012, but challenges remain.

The Coalition for the Homeless’ 2026 Point-in-Time Count, which UH researchers help analyze and report annually, identified 3,321 people experiencing homelessness across Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery counties, with more than one-third living without shelter.

“I look forward to the partnership this new initiative brings, as we continue to make helping Houston’s homeless population one of our highest priorities,” said Houston Mayor John Whitmire. “I am excited about the University of Houston recognizing that homelessness affects all of us.”

The Institute for Housing, Homelessness and Health is launching with significant work already underway. UH is already partnering with Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County to support development of The Way Home’s next community plan and will provide ongoing evaluation support in the years to come.

“Houston has shown what’s possible when housing providers, healthcare organizations, local government and nonprofits work together,” said Kelly Young, president and CEO of CFTH. "We've learned how to strengthen many of the interventions that help people exit homelessness. Now, we're exploring what comes next. The Institute for Housing, Homelessness and Health gives our community a dedicated research partner to evaluate new ideas, measure their impact and help The Way Home continue building on what works."

The partnership reflects the model IH3 is designed to expand, pairing University expertise and research with the knowledge and experience of organizations already serving the community.

A group of people standing in front of tents under a bridge. Some of them are wearing caps and one person is holding something in their hand. There are also bottles, boxes, cups, and other items scattered around the area. In the background, there is a wall and the sky is filled with clouds.

Staff from Coalition for the Homeless, SEARCH, and Harris Health visit an encampment.

Kelly Young (right), president and CEO of CFTH, speaks with Ben King (left), clinical associate professor at the Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine and founding director of the Institute for Housing, Homelessness, and Health.

Building on Houston’s Progress

Houston has earned national recognition for reducing homelessness by more than 60% since 2012, but challenges remain.

The Coalition for the Homeless’ 2026 Point-in-Time Count, which UH researchers help analyze and report annually, identified 3,321 people experiencing homelessness across Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery counties, with more than one-third living without shelter.

The Institute for Housing, Homelessness and Health is launching with significant work already underway. UH is already partnering with Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County to support development of The Way Home’s next community plan and will provide ongoing evaluation support in the years to come.

“Houston has shown what’s possible when housing providers, healthcare organizations, local government and nonprofits work together,” said Kelly Young, president and CEO of CFTH. "We've learned how to strengthen many of the interventions that help people exit homelessness. Now, we're exploring what comes next. The Institute for Housing, Homelessness and Health gives our community a dedicated research partner to evaluate new ideas, measure their impact and help The Way Home continue building on what works."

The partnership reflects the model IH3 is designed to expand, pairing University expertise and research with the knowledge and experience of organizations already serving the community.

“Houston has shown what’s possible when housing providers, healthcare organizations, local government and nonprofits work together.”

- Kelly Young, president and CEO of Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County

A group of people standing around a table with a tent in the background. On the table there are various items such as bottles, boxes, cups, and other objects. To the right of the table is a bag. In the background, there is a mesh fencing, trees, buildings, and a car. The image is in black and white.

Connecting Housing, Health and Community

There is no single pathway into homelessness, and no single intervention that can help every person find lasting stability—individual needs can span housing, physical and behavioral healthcare and other essential services, requiring coordination across systems that often operate independently.

“Housing, healthcare and behavioral health services are all critical, but they can't operate in isolation,” said Dr. David Buck, associate dean for community health at UH and founder of Healthcare for the Homeless–Houston. “People experiencing homelessness have unique needs and helping them requires those systems to work together. Building that coordination—and learning how to strengthen it—is where this institute can make a lasting difference.”

Through IH3, expertise from across UH will help researchers and community partners better understand the connections between housing, health and long-term stability. That interdisciplinary approach also reflects the broader mission of UH Health, the University's academic health enterprise.

A group of people standing around a table in front of a food truck. They are all smiling and some of them are wearing caps. On the table there are boxes, cups, and other items. In the background there is a building with windows and lights, and the sky is dark. — Staff from the Coalition for the Homeless, The Beacon and Bread of Life at a Dinner to Housing event.

Staff from the Coalition for the Homeless, The Beacon and Bread of Life at a Dinner to Housing event.

“Housing is one of the most powerful influences on health, making this institute a natural extension of the UH Health mission,” said Jonathan McCullers, vice president for health affairs at UH and dean of the Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine. “By bringing together researchers across multiple colleges, along with clinicians and community partners, we're helping communities build stronger systems that improve both health and opportunity.”

A man in a suit and glasses standing on a stairwell with a smile on his face. He is wearing a coat, shirt, and pants, and there is a glass door on the left side of the image. In the background, there are lights and a wall.

David Buck, associate dean for community health at UH and founder of Healthcare for the Homeless–Houston

Connecting Housing, Health and Community

There is no single pathway into homelessness, and no single intervention that can help every person find lasting stability—individual needs can span housing, physical and behavioral healthcare and other essential services, requiring coordination across systems that often operate independently.

“Housing, healthcare and behavioral health services are all critical, but they can't operate in isolation,” said Dr. David Buck, associate dean for community health at UH and founder of Healthcare for the Homeless–Houston. “People experiencing homelessness have unique needs and helping them requires those systems to work together. Building that coordination—and learning how to strengthen it—is where this institute can make a lasting difference.”

Through IH3, expertise from across UH will help researchers and community partners better understand the connections between housing, health and long-term stability. That interdisciplinary approach also reflects the broader mission of UH Health, the University's academic health enterprise.

“Housing is one of the most powerful influences on health, making this institute a natural extension of the UH Health mission,” said Jonathan McCullers, vice president for health affairs at UH and dean of the Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine. “By bringing together researchers across multiple colleges, along with clinicians and community partners, we're helping communities build stronger systems that improve both health and opportunity.”

“Housing is one of the most powerful influences on health, making this institute a natural extension of the UH Health mission.”

- Jonathan McCullers, vice president for health affairs at UH and dean of the Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine

A woman standing next to a pile of clothes on the steps of a building. She is wearing a black t-shirt and blue jeans, and is holding a red bag in her hand. To her right, a man is sitting on a purple cloth, and to her left, a woman is standing. In the background, there are light poles, trees, buildings, and a clear blue sky.

Building for the Future

While its initial work will focus on Houston, the approaches, tools and lessons developed at the institute could ultimately serve as a model for communities across Texas and the nation.

“This institute represents the culmination of many conversations I’ve been fortunate to have throughout my career—with people experiencing homelessness, outreach workers, healthcare providers, researchers, nonprofit leaders and policymakers,” King said. “They shaped this vision far more than I could have on my own. If we’re successful, it won’t be because the University has all the answers. It will be because we listened carefully, learned together and helped great people do their work even more effectively.”

A group of people standing in front of a building with windows, surrounded by vehicles on the road, a pillar, a signboard, some plants, a street pole, some trees, and a cloudy sky. In the foreground, there is a van parked in a parking lot. — Staff from the Coalition for the Homeless and SEARCH move clients into the temporary navigation center.

Staff from the Coalition for the Homeless and SEARCH move clients into the temporary navigation center.

The $5 million gift will enable IH3 to build its research capacity, recruit faculty and staff, support graduate students, and develop the data capabilities needed to grow the institute in the years to come. The investment will also help prepare the next generation of professionals by creating opportunities for students to work alongside researchers and community partners and gain firsthand experience addressing the complex challenges of housing, health and homelessness.

The gift also advances the Can't Stop Houston: The Centennial Campaign, the University's comprehensive fundraising initiative to launch its second century by investing in innovation, student success and campus transformation, creating the opportunities, discoveries and experiences that will shape the University of Houston's next 100 years.

“The best philanthropy begins by understanding where the need is greatest and investing where it can make a difference,” said Russell T. Dunlavy, vice president for advancement and alumni at UH. “This gift embodies Can’t Stop Houston: The Centennial Campaign by bringing people and expertise together to turn an ambitious vision into action and create lasting impact.”