Dominic Anthony Walsh, HPM

Houston officials intensified the effort to get homeless people out of public spaces on Wednesday as the city council voted to expand a rule prohibiting sitting, lying down or placing personal possessions on sidewalks to cover the Greater East End.

The latest expansion of the ordinance came as the city prepared to open a large homeless services center at 419 Emancipation Ave. in East Downtown. Slated to become operational in early 2026, the low-barrier center is expected to temporarily shelter as many as 320 people at a time before referring them to services and permanent housing.

Council member Mario Castillo, who represents the neighboring Second Ward, said he also wants to see a community task force and a slow ramp-up in occupancy at the upcoming facility

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