Alternate Housing Facility
Alternate housing facility means a resident in which 3 or more unrelated parolees reside that:
- Is owned by an individual, private entity, or non-profit or faith based organization
- Is not operated by, established by, or contracted with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) and
- Will be operated under TDCJ approval
Owner will post and maintain permit in a public area of the facility.
Permit is non-transferable to a new property address or new owner.
Alternate housing facilities are required to be at least 1,000 feet from schools, day cares, public parks, and other correctional facilities and alternate housing facilities.
Alternate housing facilities that are approved by TDCJ at the time of ordinance passage will be grandfathered or exempt from distance requirements. TDCJ will require alternate housing applicants to obtain a permit from the City before receiving approval to house parolees.
- Pre-application questionnaire form
- Alternate housing facility permit application
- A certified copy of the Assumed Name certificate or a certified copy of the articles of incorporation or other certificate authorizing you to transact business in this state
- A copy of the recorded deed to show proof of current fee ownership for the tract of land
- If the owner of the facility is not the current fee owner for the tract of land, then a copy of the lease, purchase contract or other document evidencing that the owner of the facility has the land owner approval to use for this purpose.
- Safety and emergency procedures detailed including a written fire and evacuation plan
- Unsworn declaration of deed restriction compliance
- Proof of current passed Alternate Housing Facility inspection
- A valid Certificate of Occupancy
- Valid form of identification
- Method of payment: cash, check, cashier's check, money order, or debit/credit card
- Submit the pre-application form to [email protected].
- As directed by the City, obtain a copy of or apply for a Certificate of Occupancy.
- Upon completion of an Occupancy Inspection or annual inspection, apply for the Alternate Housing Facility permit.
- Bring the completed application and supporting documents to Commercial Permitting & Enforcement section, located at the Houston Permitting Center.
- Obtain a numbered ticket from the Information Desk. Please wait in the lobby until your number is called.
- Annual inspection application
- Method of payment: cash, check, cashier's check, money order, or debit/credit card
- Email the completed inspection application form to [email protected].
- A representative will reply with instructions for online payment and an inspection date.
The annual inspection may be completed up to 3 months prior to permit anniversary date.
The cost of the first annual inspection will be waived if the Certificate of Occupancy is applied for within the first year after the ordinance is adopted.
- Passed annual inspection
- Alternate housing facility application form
- Proof of continual approval from Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ)
- Method of payment: cash, check, cashier's check, money order, or debit/credit card
- Bring the completed application, supporting documents and payment to Commercial Permitting & Enforcement section, located at the Houston Permitting Center.
- Obtain a numbered ticket from the Information Desk. Please wait in the lobby until your number is called.
Permit is non-transferable to new property address or new owners.