City Unveils Post-Harvey Housing Recovery Plan

HOUSTON, TX — The City of Houston has unveiled a preliminary local action plan for $1.15 billion in housing recovery funding.

The plan is available for review and public comment until June 21 and will be submitted to City Council for approval on June 27.

The plan includes a local needs assessment, programs and budget, and spending timelines for $1.15 billion in Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds.

“Hurricane Harvey hit hard for many Houstonians, but it didn’t break our spirit,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “With these recovery resources, our goal is to make historic progress in ensuring that every Houstonian has a safe, affordable place to live, and that our neighborhoods provide economic opportunities for Houstonians to thrive.”

Since the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced the availability of housing recovery funds in February, the City has worked with county, state, and federal government entities to ensure Houston gets its fair share of these resources and that they are locally controlled.

Submitting a local action plan to the Texas General Land Office is a requirement for Houston to receive this funding.

The Housing and Community Development Department has convened several public meetings and focus groups to inform the development of the local action plan.

Since April, HCDD has worked with civic groups, the Super Neighborhood Council, and City Council Members to host or participate in 17 community meetings, focus groups, and public events to get input on Houstonians’ recovery priorities.

“Houstonians must have a voice in their own recovery,” said Housing Director Tom McCasland. “Our department will continue to be out in the community, listening to people’s experience, concerns, and needs so that we can build a stronger, more resilient, and more equitable city.”

More than 600 people have participated in events focused on long-term recovery since April and 383 have taken HCDD’s recovery survey, which can be found here.

Additional meetings will be held throughout the comment period before the draft plan goes to City Council on June 27.

If it's approved, Houston’s plan will be incorporated into the State of Texas Plan for Disaster Recovery: Hurricane Harvey – Round 1 as a substantial amendment, with Harris County’s also incorporated into the same amendment.

You can find a list of upcoming events posted here, as well as on the Housing and Community Development Department Facebook Page.

Public comments on the local action plan may be submitted by email to: Fatima.Wajahat@houstontx.gov or by mail: HCDD, ATTN: Fatima Wajahat, 601 Sawyer, Suite 400, Houston, TX 77007.

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