Conroe to donate land to nonprofit for new homeless shelter

Barbara Ogden shares a laugh after being baptized at Conroe House of Prayer in January 2018 in Conroe. Founded by Luke and Karla Redus in 2006, Compassion United offers numerous programs to the low income and homeless population including the Conroe House of Prayer in downtown. less Barbara Ogden shares a laugh after being baptized at Conroe House of Prayer in January 2018 in Conroe. Founded by Luke and Karla Redus in 2006, Compassion United offers numerous programs to the low income and ... more Photo: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer / Houston Chronicle Photo: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer / Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 5 Caption Close Conroe to donate land to nonprofit for new homeless shelter 1 / 5 Back to Gallery

The Conroe City Council unanimously agreed to donate five acres of land to Conroe based-nonprofit Compassion United Inc. for the development of a homeless shelter off Foster Drive near the Conroe Fire Station.

Founded by Luke and Karla Redus in 2006, Compassion United offers numerous programs to the low income and homeless population including the Conroe House of Prayer in downtown. However, it was not clear if that location would close with the development of the new shelter. CHOP is geared toward the homeless offering a church setting with teachers and worship leaders from the community to help those in need. CHOP also offers a breakfast and provides a clothing closet to the homeless locally and other areas in the region.

“These guys are family,” Luke Redus said in a previous Courier article about CHOP. “This is our church family.”

According to City Attorney Marc Winberry, the city sought proposals from the community for the development of the property and received just one from Compassion United.

“I think this is a good idea to give Compassion United more space to give more services to the homeless and be able to get them training programs for new jobs and a way to make a living,” said Mayor Toby Powell during the council’s workshop meeting Wednesday. “I think it is a great opportunity for them and for the city to show our compassion.”

No other details about the new development were available.

cdominguez@hcnonline.com