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Houstonians in Need
The At-Large 5 team spent the Saturday before Thanksgiving helping out at the HEB Family Thanksgiving Distribution where holiday meals and masks were provided to 5,000 Houston families. There is an immense need right now, with nearly one in three children in the Houston area living in a food-insecure home (up from one in five last year). The Houston Food Bank serves around 800,000 families in an average year, but has seen that number double this year. For those in a position to donate either time or money this holiday season, I strongly encourage you to consider the Houston Food Bank.
The city is stepping up to help address the growing need by providing $2 million in federal CARES Act funding to the Houston Food Bank. I look forward to supporting this measure at this week’s council meeting.
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City Hall News & Updates
- Direct assistance approved: The city has previously allocated $35 million in CARES funding to assist small businesses and an additional $20 million for a rental assistance program. Another $20 million was approved by council last week; these funds will be used for one-time payments of $1,200 to applicants with COVID-19 related needs. Unlike the rental assistance program, which required landlord cooperation, these checks will be written out directly to applicants. Baker Ripley will administer the program. Application details have not yet been released but an FAQ with eligibility requirements may be found here.
- CARES funding allocated to BARC: During last week's Regulatory and Neighborhood Affairs Committee meeting, council members expressed strong interest in allocating federal CARES funding toward animal welfare needs. After raising awareness of this issue with Mayor Turner, the administration took quick action. An agenda item slated for approval this week will provide $176,812 to fund pet rescues and other animal welfare initiatives.
- Internet Voucher Program: City council recently approved a $624,960 program to provide internet vouchers to low-income Houstonians. To qualify for the Internet Voucher Program, applicants must reside in the city of Houston and have a Comcast serviceable address. For more information eligibility and how to apply, visit here.
- Livable Places Map Tool: The Planning Department wants to hear from you about the effects of tall buildings in your neighborhoods and communities. On the interactive map you may drop a pin, upload photos, and provide commentary. If you're interested in learning more about the Livable Places Committee, tune in December 8 from 3:00-5:00 P.M. to discuss residential buffering requirements and consider ideas to better resolve the negative impacts some tall structures may have on neighborhoods.
- Reliant Lights Mayor's Holiday Spectacular: Due to COVID-19, the 2020 Reliant Lights Mayor’s Holiday Spectacular 101st year event was reimagined as a virtual holiday celebration. Relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of the holiday from the comfort of home. The virtual show originally aired on December 5 and will be rebroadcast on Friday, December 18, 7 P.M. on ABC 13.
- Southwest Airlines returns to IAH: On December 3rd, city council authorized an airport use and lease agreement between the city and Southwest Airlines. The airline will return to Bush Airport in the first half of 2021, utilizing approximately 93,000 sq. ft. of space in Terminal A. Southwest will continue to maintain service at William P. Hobby Airport. Schedules and fares have not been released yet. Southwest Airlines has nearly 4,000 employees in Houston.
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Coastal Spine Protection Draft Report
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) released its Coastal Texas Protection and Restoration Feasibility Study last month. The study discusses a "multiple lines of defense" approach, reducing the risks of storms impacting coastal communities. To further ensure coastal resilience and support the multiple lines of defense strategy, the proposal includes the restoration of 6,600+ acres of critical fish and wildlife habitat to provide a third buffer against coastal storms and erosion processes.
The full report, presentations, and interactive tools may be found here. Additionally, the deadline to submit comments has been extended to January 13, 2021. Constituent feedback is a vital part of the study process, and the Texas General Land Office and USACE remain committed to ensuring the voices of the people of Texas are heard.
A project outside of the scope of USACE's coastal spine study, the Galveston Bay Park Plan, has also been in the news. This project would be complementary to the protection measures discussed in the study linked above and would utilize soil scheduled for removal from the Houston Ship Channel. If you're interested in learning more about the Galveston Bay Park Plan a video and presentation are available online.
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Urban Prairie Resiliency Project
Mayor Sylvester Turner announced the Urban Prairie Resiliency Project last week, a collaborative endeavor that will further the city’s resilience goals to be prepared for, to withstand, and to bounce back from the shocks and stresses caused by hurricanes and floods. The project will integrate green stormwater infrastructure and restore the urban prairie ecosystem within New Hope Housing and Star of Hope’s Cornerstone Community Campus, an affordable supportive housing development.
The Mayor’s Office of Resilience, in accordance with the Resilient Houston Strategy and the Complete Communities Initiative, is partnering with New Hope Housing and Star of Hope to restore up to eight acres of prairie of the Cornerstone Community campus. By restoring the tallgrass prairie ecosystem, whose wetlands act as “nature’s kidneys” for the Houston region, the Urban Prairie Resiliency Project will serve as an example of a neighborhood adaptation project which will create wildlife habitat and outdoor educational and recreational space while improving stormwater retention, water filtration, and groundwater replenishment.
This project is being funded by the Resilient Communities Grant. In 2017, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Wells Fargo Foundation created the Resilient Communities program to boost community capacity to prepare for impacts associated with coastal sea level rise, water quantity and quality issues and extended wildfire seasons.
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Deadline for Input on I-45 Wednesday!
Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the North Houston Highway Improvement Project: TxDOT released the FEIS in late September, with an original deadline for comment on November 9. The deadline has now been extended to December 9. Council Member Alcorn, along with the mayor and several of her colleagues, requested an extension of that deadline in order to provide residents more time to read through the lengthy document. If you're interested in reading the FEIS you may find it here. The city's Planning & Development Department has provided fact sheets, comment guides, and presentations on the project at letstalkhouston.org
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