Otis Thornton, a longtime passionate and sometimes controversial advocate for the homeless in Tarrant County, has resigned as executive director of the Tarrant County Homeless Coalition (TCHC), effective later this year.
TCHC is the umbrella organization that works to coordinate a network of housing and service providers across Tarrant and Parker Counties. TCHC serves those who serve the homeless and seek to give voice to our community’s most vulnerable residents, TCHC said in a press release.
Thornton spearheaded the homelessness programs for the city of Fort Worth for nine years before becoming the executive director of TCHC in 2015.
The TCHC board of directors has launched a national search for his replacement. The coalition is committed to identifying an experienced professional to help the community improve response to the pressing issue of homelessness, the board said in the news release.
“There is broad agreement that the public and private sectors need to do more together,” Thornton said. “Our community knows the right prescription: it is affordable housing and coordinated services; the challenge ahead is getting a large enough dose to cure the problems.”
Thornton is stepping down for personal reasons. He is getting married and will move to Tennessee, but he will continue to lead TCHC during the search for his successor.
“We are excited for Otis, but will miss his wisdom, humor, and passion. He pushed us to do better and to never give up,” the TCHC Board said in a statement. “The programs, finances and momentum at TCHC have aligned under his leadership and we are in an excellent position to address the challenges ahead.”
TCHC has worked to streamline and expedite clients’ return to housing through coordinated entry (ahomewithhope.org/tchc-services/coordinated-entry). It also operates the area’s Homeless Management Information System and a Homeless Helpline – (817) 996-8800 – that can receive calls or texts; and the “Built for Zero” program that works to end homelessness among U.S. military veterans.
ahomewithhope.org