Texas Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Scott Charbonneau, president and CEO of Cornerstone Assistance Network, to the Texas Interagency Council for the Homeless. The appointment, made on January 20, 2026, positions a faith-based nonprofit leader at the table of the state’s coordinating body for homelessness policy.
Charbonneau, who has led the Fort Worth-based organization for several years, brings a background that combines business acumen with social service experience. “Creative solutions like Teladoc help reduce costs while maintaining excellent service with non-routine needs,” Charbonneau once noted when discussing innovative approaches to service delivery—perhaps signaling the perspective he’ll bring to state-level homeless policy discussions.
Faith-Based Approach to Poverty
Cornerstone Assistance Network, which Charbonneau now heads, has operated in Tarrant County since 1992. The organization describes itself as “a Christ-centered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to meeting the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual needs of those struggling under the burden of poverty,” according to its official website.
What exactly does that mean in practice? The organization provides a comprehensive range of services targeting homeless individuals, single parents, and low-income families throughout Fort Worth. These include immediate needs like food, shelter, and clothing, along with longer-term assistance with employment and childcare services.
Charbonneau’s educational background includes a BS in Industrial Distribution from Texas A&M University and an MBA from Baylor University, suggesting he brings both operational and management expertise to his role in combating homelessness.
State Council Role
The Texas Interagency Council for the Homeless serves as the state’s primary coordinating body for homelessness policy. Charbonneau’s appointment comes at a time when many Texas cities are grappling with increasing visibility of homelessness alongside affordable housing shortages.
His term will continue at the Governor’s pleasure, a standard arrangement for such appointments that gives the executive branch flexibility in council composition. As CEO of Cornerstone, Charbonneau can be reached at the organization’s headquarters where he serves as extension 107, according to staff directory information.
The appointment raises interesting questions about the intersection of faith-based approaches and public policy on homelessness. While Cornerstone’s model explicitly incorporates spiritual elements alongside material assistance, state policy must navigate broader constitutional considerations.
For Tarrant County residents experiencing homelessness or poverty, however, the immediate concern is likely less about policy frameworks and more about the practical impact of services. With Charbonneau’s voice now at the state council table, Fort Worth’s approach to combating poverty may gain increased visibility in Texas homelessness discussions.
