A new partnership between the Energy Corridor Management District, West Houston Assistance Ministries (WHAM), local law enforcement and local government officials will allow city officials to start using hotel rooms as a temporary solution for people experiencing homelessness while connecting them with services to help them find permanent housing.

How it works: WHAM will partner with hotels in the area to provide temporary housing for 2-4 weeks while individuals work with WHAM to find housing, employment, food and other needs, according to city officials.

The program began after Energy Corridor officials and Precinct 5 deputies identified a need for alternatives to the traditional response to homelessness, which they said can involve citations and jail. 

“In many circumstances, what people need is a safe place to stay where they can recover, and not a jail cell,” said Zachary Miller, vice president of the Energy Corridor District.

Also of note: Harris County Commissioner Lesley Briones said Harris County has invested about $100 million in homelessness-related programs over the past five years. Precinct 4 also contributed $60,000 to the pilot program.

KLA Schools of River Oaks is officially accepting enrollment applications after opening its doors Aug. 5 along West Clay Street, officials confirmed via news release.

What to expect: Inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood development, KLA Schools of River Oaks follows a carefully tailored preschool curriculum that encourages children’s curiosity, creativity and confidence, according to news release details.

KLA’s programs are available for infants and children up to about four years old. They are divided by age group and are designed to cover each one’s developmental needs throughout their duration, according to the school's website.

What happens next: The preschool academy invites families and guardians to attend its upcoming open house event Aug. 27 from 9-11 a.m.

• 1324 W. Clay St., Ste. 200, Houston

On Aug. 1, new rules, including a clear bag policy, were rolled out at Houston ISD athletic facilities, according to a news release from the district.

What’s new: Spectators of University Interscholastic League sporting events at HISD athletic facilities are now required to carry belongings in one clear bag or backpack per person, according to HISD’s July 2 news release. The bag can be no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches. According to the release, other bags allowed under the new policy include:

• Clear fanny packs, small clutches or purses no bigger than 5.5 inches by 8.5 inches

• Clear diaper bags of any size

• Clear gallon-size plastic bags

• Non-clear medically necessary bags

What they're saying: “The objective is for fans to come out and truly enjoy the game experience and not have to worry about safety or supervision,” said Andre' Walker, HISD executive director of athletics, via the news release.

Officials with the Astrodome Conservancy released a request for information document Aug. 18 seeking advice from developers, investors and operators on the most creative and financially viable ideas to redevelop the iconic Houston landmark known as the Astrodome.

What is it: A request for information (RFI) is a formal business or legal document used to gather general facts, market research, or additional information about features of a product or service from suppliers.

According to the Aug. 18 news release, Astrodome Conservancy officials are specifically seeking input from developers, investors, operators and other stakeholders with experience in large-scale, mixed-use and adaptive reuse projects.

How it works: Interested participants are encouraged by Conservancy officials to submit responses outlining potential concepts, partnership structures, financing approaches or implementation strategies through the submission portal available on the Astrodome Conservancy website. The deadline for responses is Sept. 8.

On Aug. 26, The Woodlands Township and the city of Houston are scheduled to consider an amendment to their 2007 Regional Participation Agreement that would permanently eliminate the possibility of Houston annexing The Woodlands Township and provide for $50 million in payments to Houston by 2030, according to agendas posted Aug. 19.

What you need to know: The Woodlands Township released a statement via Chair Brad Bailey that the amendment would end the long-term Regional Participation Fund payment structure between the entities, providing for a total of about $27.4 million in payments from The Woodlands Township to the city over the next three years as well as releasing restrictions on the $22.6 million currently in the RPF to make those funds available to the city of Houston.

City of Houston materials show the payment schedule as:

• $22.63 by Dec. 31 this year
• $9 million by the end of 2027
• $9 million by the end of 2028
• $9.37 million final payment by Dec. 31, 2029