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"Creating a safe, thriving neighborhood in the heart of Southwest through its rich cultural diversity"
Please share with your neighbors,
family, tenants, parishioners, and community partners.
Dear Friends,
Please share this critical information with your neighbors, family, tenants, parishioners, and community partners.
Below is updated information related to cooling centers and city services as our community recovers from Tropical Storm Beryl as of Thursday, July 11th. If you need additional assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact my office.
ALERTHOUSTON: Cooling Centers and City Services Update for Thursday, July 11
Ice and Water Distribution
Ice and water distributions will begin shortly. The city continues to support dozens of facilities for cooling and charging. The Houston Health Department recommends people without electricity consider delaying storm-debris cleanup until their power is restored to avoid heat-related illnesses. Once power is restored, people can take frequent breaks in their air-conditioned homes.
Drive Through Distribution Locations (1:00 PM - 5:00 PM)
Acres Homes MSC: 6719 West Montgomery Rd., 77091
Northeast MSC: 9720 Spaulding St., 77016
Sunnyside MSC: 4410 Reed Rd., 77051
Southwest MSC: 6400 High Star Dr., 77074
Denver Harbor MSC: 6402 Market St., 77007
White Oak Conference Center (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM): 7603 Antoine Dr., 77088
Memorial Assistance Ministries (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM): 1625 Blaylock Rd., 77080
Cooling Center, Charging Center, and Shelter Locations and Hours
City of Houston - Cooling Centers-
Southwest Multi-Service Center
Address: 6400 High Star Dr., Houston, Texas 77074
Hours: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Acres Homes Multi-Service Center
Address: 6719 W. Montgomery Rd., Houston, Texas 77091
Hours: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunnyside Multi-Service Center
Address: 4410 Reed Rd., Houston, Texas 77051
Hours: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
West Gray Multi-Purpose Center
Address: 1475 W Gray St, Houston, TX 77019
Hours: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Moody Community Center
Address: 3725 Fulton St, Houston, TX 77009
Hours: 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Kingwood Community Center
Address: 4102 Rustic Woods, Houston TX 77345
Hours: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Fifth Ward Multi-Service Center
Address: 4014 Market St, Houston, TX 77020
Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Kashmere Multi-Service Center
Address: 4802 Lockwood Dr, Houston, TX 77026
Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Houston Public Library (Open Thursday, July 11, 2024 – 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
Address: 3110 Hayes Rd., Suite 300, Houston, TX 77082
Hours: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Non-profit - Cooling Centers
Lakewood Church
Address: 3700 Southwest Fwy, Houston, TX 77027
Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Compudopt Office
Address: 1602 Airline Drive, Houston, Texas 77009
Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Details: The charging stations can accommodate up to 25 persons at one time. Six laptops will also be available for use by families.
American Red Cross - Shelter Locations
BakerRipley Gulfton Sharpstown Campus
Address: 6500 Rookin, Houston, TX 77074
Hours: Opens Tuesday, July 9 at 10:00 PM; starting Wednesday, July 10 the location will be open 24 hours
BakerRipley Ripley House
Address: 4410 Navigation, Houston, TX 77011
Hours: Open 24 hours
Details: This location will be staffed with paramedics from HFD for anyone needing minor medical support
Champion Forest Baptist Church
Address: 16518 Jersey Dr. Houston, TX 77040
Hours: Open 24 hours
Harris County Cooling Centers, Heat Safety, and Recovery-
Precinct 1
Cooling Centers (Open from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
Lincoln Park Community Center - 979 Grenshaw St., Houston, 77088
Julia C. Hester House - 2020 Solo St, Houston, TX 77020
Distribution Locations (Open from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. or until supplies run out)
Harris County Precinct One Central Service Center - 7901 El Rio St, Houston, TX 77054
Lincoln Park Community Center - 979 Grenshaw St, Houston, 77088
Julia C. Hester House - 2020 Solo St, Houston, TX 77020
Precinct 2
Cooling Centers
Hardy Community Center: 11901 W Hardy Rd, Houston, TX 77076
EHAC: 7340 Spencer Hwy, Pasadena, TX, 77505
Flukinger Community Center: 16003 Lorenzo St, Channelview, TX 77530
Precinct 3
All programming at Precinct 3 Community Centers is canceled until further notice; however, they will distribute water and food while supplies last.
Due to power issues, the following Community Centers will close after supplies run out:
Barrett Station Community Center
May Community Center
San Jacinto Community Center
George H.W. Bush Community Center
The following Community Centers will also distribute food and water supplies but will remain open during normal hours (8 a.m. - 8 p.m.) for the public to charge devices and enjoy free Wi-Fi in an air-conditioned facility:
Solid Waste: Normal schedule resumes Thursday, July 11, for garbage, heavy tree waste, and storm debris collection.
BARC: Closed for most public services on Thursday, July 11, except for lost pets and sick/injured pet intake through the back entrance at 2700 Evella St. Services expand on Friday, July 12, to include pet adoption and lost pet services via the Wellness Center entrance at 3200 Carr St. and sick/injured pet intake through the back entrance at 2700 Evella St.
Municipal Courts: Normal operations resumed. Case resets for July 8-9 will take place at all City of Houston court locations through July 16, 2024. Visit www.houstontx.gov/courts for information on court locations and hours.
The Houston Health Department recommends the following precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke:
Drink more water: Drink lots of liquids even before getting thirsty, but avoid beverages with caffeine, alcohol, or large amounts of sugar as these can result in the loss of body fluid.
Conduct outdoor work or exercise in the early morning or evening: Outdoor workers should drink plenty of water or electrolyte replacement beverages and take frequent breaks in the shade or in an air-conditioned facility.
Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing that permits the evaporation of perspiration.
Do not leave infants, children, senior citizens, or pets unattended in a parked vehicle, even if the windows are cracked open.
Wear a wide-brimmed hat to help prevent sunburn and heat-related illness. Apply sunscreen to protect from the sun’s harmful rays and reduce the risk of sunburn.
Seek accommodations in air-conditioned facilities during the heat of the day if your home is not air-conditioned: a relative’s home, multi-service centers, malls, movie theaters, libraries, etc.
Take frequent cool baths or showers if your home is not air-conditioned.
Houston Public Works: The permitting center at 1002 Washington Ave. is open during normal business hours. For information about fast-tracking electrical permits, visit Houston Permitting Center.
SNAP recipients in 121 counties listed in Acting Governor Patrick’s disaster declarations must apply for replacement benefits by August 8. Affected counties are listed below. Beginning July 11, recipients can apply by dialing 2-1-1 and selecting Option 8. Recipients can also download Form H1855 (Affidavit for Nonreceipt or Destroyed SNAP Benefits). Completed forms should be mailed to Texas Health and Human Services Commission, P.O. Box 149027, Austin, TX 78714-9027, or faxed to 877-447-2839.
Recipients who live in counties other than those listed below can apply for replacement benefits in person within 10 days of discovering their food was lost or destroyed due to the recent storms. Individuals in those counties must go to a local benefits office to request replacement food benefits.
HHSC is also providing crisis counseling for Texans affected by this disaster through local mental health authorities. To locate a local mental health authority, visit the Where Can I Find Services page.
Additionally, the WIC program, administered by HHSC, is replacing food and formula benefits lost during Hurricane Beryl through July 31, 2024. Families can visit TexasWIC.org or call 800-942-3678 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and select Option 3 to speak with an operator who will help find an open WIC location. WIC participants will need to go to the WIC office to replace food benefits. WIC also offers 24/7 breastfeeding assistance through its lactation support hotline: 855-550-6667.
Important Tips:
Take pictures of your storm damage for assessment and FEMA eligibility.
Report all property damage to the State of Texas using the iSTAT tool: damage.tdem.texas.gov
Contact your insurance company before applying for FEMA assistance.
For debris removal help, contact the Crisis Cleanup hotline at 832-509-2977.
Report scams and fraud to the Texas Attorney General.
It is an honor to serve and represent you.
Gene Wu
State Representative
House District 137
LISC Houston Pre-development and Preservation Grant Application
LISC announced the launch of LISC Houston’s Pre-development and Preservation Grant Application. This funding opportunity aims to tackle the pressing challenges of attainable affordable housing in the Greater Houston area by bolstering the development and preservation of both single family and multifamily affordable housing units including mixed use developments.
This grant offers funding for:
Pre-development activities, which are crucial but often underfunded stages of housing projects. This includes but is not limited to costs associated with site assessments, architectural planning, legal fees, and environmental studies.
Preservation of existing affordable housing, which is vital for maintaining the affordability of neighborhoods and preventing displacement. This aspect of the grant helps extend the lifespan of housing projects and ensures they continue to serve the community effectively.
For more details, please read through thegrant application. As a courtesy, the document includes the application questions. Please note, application submissions are done online – more details in the grant application
Key Details:
Grant Amount: up to $25,000
Application Deadline Online Submission: 12pm, July 8, 2024 via click here
If you or someone you know has a project that fits within the scope of opportunity, we encourage you to apply. Additionally, we ask for your support in sharing this opportunity with others who might be interested.
Gulfton, Alief to Benefit from $43 Million Grant Aimed at Rebuilding Sidewalks, Increasing Tree Canopy to Mitigate Heat
A new study has ranked Alief and Gulfton as two of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Houston when it comes to traffic injuries and fatalities for children. But a $43 million federal grant funded by the Department of Transportation could soon help reduce the danger.
Rice University’s Baker Institute found that three of the four most dangerous areas for children walking and biking in Houston are in Alief and Gulfton. Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher, who represents both neighborhoods, helped arrange a grant through the Department of Transportation to deal with the threat.
In addition to addressing traffic safety, the grant will support the installation of new green stormwater infrastructure and the planting of tree canopy to mitigate the effects of heat. Last year,HoustonPublic Media investigated how extreme heat affects residents who rely on public transportation. It found that adding tree canopy could mitigate the problem.
Houston Toolbank
The Houston ToolBank is a nonprofit that provides fellow not-for-profit and community-focused organizations year-round access to an inventory of tools and equipment for use in projects, programs, and events. We provide tools to enhance the charitable sector’s capacity to serve, scale, and facilitate hands-on volunteerism. Access to ToolBank tools eliminates the need for agencies to incur the expense of purchasing, insuring, repairing, and storing tools, reducing the costs associated with service projects and allowing these agencies to focus more resources on their mission. We have a warehouse of 299 tool types and more than 15,000 tools, from basic items like shovels and hammers to bigger ticket items like generators, pressure washers, and high-quality power tools. To support the evolving needs of our community partners, we have added event equipment like a portable riser, folding tables and chairs, and lawn games. We have begun formalizing school partnerships and disaster programs.
Organizations can sign up to become ToolBank members at our website. www.houstontoolbank.org
Gulfton Complete Communities Is…
Gulfton is a culturally diverse, international community with over 50 languages spoken and is home to 40,000 residents. Although it includes two small areas of single-family homes, its large apartment complexes dominate the area’s landscape along with scattered commercial and light industrial uses. Most of Gulfton was originally developed as a rural subdivision called Westmoreland Farms.
Often described as the Ellis Island of current time, Gulfton is the most densely populated community in Houston, with about 90 apartment complexes and 71% Hispanic residents including immigrants from Mexico and Central America.
Gulfton is known for its compassion and services to help newcomers into the country, city, and area. Although traditionally a Salvadoran and Mexican neighborhood, many immigrants have begun coming from different Latin-American and Middle Eastern countries in search of these resources and services.
Let's Talk About What's Happening
CenterPoint Energy's Agencies in Action Program
Provides...
You qualify if:
You are a residential customer of CenterPoint Energy Electric.
Your home is at least 16 years old.
Your annual household income qualifies you to meet income guidelines or you receive benefits from a public assistance program.
(SNAP, Medical Assistance or Medicare, Supplemental Security Income, Public Housing, Children’s Health Insurance, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families)
GIVE US A CALL! (855-751-6432) or visit CenterPointEnergy.com/AgenciesinAction
Building Food Security: 101
Thank you for joining the Building Food Security: 101 Panel Discussion meeting on Tuesday, March 29to hear about the challenges of food insecurity in our communities and learned about how residents can advocate for fresh foods at their local grocery stores, create farmers' markets, and connected with partners to achieve food security.
This virtual meeting provided residents with the tools and resources needed to combat food insecurities, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.
Neighborhood Preservation Tools
If you want to learn about ways you can preserve the established character of your neighborhood, please watch the video below.
To report a city tree that needs pruning or to request a tree removal permit contact the Urban Forestry section by calling 311 or visit the 311 Houston Service Center online www.houston311.org to submit your request.
For more information on how to report light poles that are out or need maintenance, to request a new light pole, and to report tree canopy, please utilize the video below with CenterPoint, Public Works, and Urban Forestry. Thank you!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkBFT-4zLbI
Bloomberg Philanthropies Asphalt Art Initiative Grant
Bloomberg Philanthropies awarded 26 U.S. cities grants to help transform streets and public spaces through its Asphalt Art Initiative. The City of Houston was selected and awarded $25,000.00.
The City of Houston, in partnership with Gulfton community stakeholders, My Connect Community, and Southwest Management District, is seeking statements of interest from eligible artists for the asphalt art project, Gulfton Safe Streets.
The Gulfton Safe Streets project is a design intervention proposed to integrate art into the crosswalks and pedestrian spaces at High Star Road and Westward Street at Hillcroft Street, Gulfton Community's main street corridor.
Familias Latinas Por La Educación (Latino Family in Education Fellowship) is a parent advocacy program that aims to build a greater understanding among Houston ISD’s Latino parents around school quality, challenges affecting their child’s education, solutions to address these challenges, and their opportunities to engage with those in power. The program kicked off in June, by holding space for the 20 participating parents and family members to address the dreams and aspirations they have for their children and aimed to instill a vision of themselves as leaders.
Throughout the program sessions, parents were provided with everything from a high-level overview of the Houston ISD school system, to a deep dive into the state of Latino education. This background knowledge is key to providing families with the foundation that they need in order to propose a parent-led agenda on improving the quality of education to decision-makers at the end of the program.
To read the full article about the Latino Family in Education Fellowship program click here
Please contact Sandra Rodriguez, Advocacy Director, Greater Houston Latinos for Education for more information Sandra@latinosforeducation.org.
Photo by: Houston Chronicle
HBI, Recruit Skilled Workers from HBI's Gulfton and Acres Home Trades Programs
DO YOUR PART TO PROTECT OUR PIPES!
70% of sanitary sewer overflows in Houston are caused by clogs from fats, oils and grease poured down the drain and wipes flushed down toilets.
Put grease in its place! Dispose of leftover cooking waste with these easy steps: pour it in a jar, can, or bag, cool it, and once full, toss it in the trash.
Also, only flush the three P’s - pee, poo, and (toilet) paper. Everything else should go in the trash.
Together, we can all prevent clogs and harmful overflows! Learn more: www.ProtectOurPipes.org.
Learn more from Sammy, Ruby, and Martin – our Protect Our Pipes characters – through the resources below!
Thank you for participating in the Designing for Impact series. Over 400 people and 12 design professionals participated and facilitated these meetings in hopes to accomplish the objectives of the Houston Complete Communities Initiative.
The City of Houston would like to especially thank AIA Houston and the Houston Chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) for engaging our communities and providing exceptional design concepts from projects outlined in the Complete Communities Action Plan.
AIA Houston and the City of Houston’s Complete Communities reserves and retains the ownership, the use, and copies of designs created, submitted, and presented.
Complete Communities continues to work to attract new development and supports expand resources throughout the neighborhoods.
Gulfton Complete Communities Progress Report
Missed the last meeting? You can watch the recording and the progress report presentation under "Gulfton Complete Communities Re-engagement Meeting" section to the right.
"Creating a safe, thriving neighborhood in the heart of Southwest through its rich cultural diversity"
Please share with your neighbors,
family, tenants, parishioners, and community partners.
Dear Friends,
Please share this critical information with your neighbors, family, tenants, parishioners, and community partners.
Below is updated information related to cooling centers and city services as our community recovers from Tropical Storm Beryl as of Thursday, July 11th. If you need additional assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact my office.
ALERTHOUSTON: Cooling Centers and City Services Update for Thursday, July 11
Ice and Water Distribution
Ice and water distributions will begin shortly. The city continues to support dozens of facilities for cooling and charging. The Houston Health Department recommends people without electricity consider delaying storm-debris cleanup until their power is restored to avoid heat-related illnesses. Once power is restored, people can take frequent breaks in their air-conditioned homes.
Drive Through Distribution Locations (1:00 PM - 5:00 PM)
Acres Homes MSC: 6719 West Montgomery Rd., 77091
Northeast MSC: 9720 Spaulding St., 77016
Sunnyside MSC: 4410 Reed Rd., 77051
Southwest MSC: 6400 High Star Dr., 77074
Denver Harbor MSC: 6402 Market St., 77007
White Oak Conference Center (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM): 7603 Antoine Dr., 77088
Memorial Assistance Ministries (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM): 1625 Blaylock Rd., 77080
Cooling Center, Charging Center, and Shelter Locations and Hours
City of Houston - Cooling Centers-
Southwest Multi-Service Center
Address: 6400 High Star Dr., Houston, Texas 77074
Hours: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Acres Homes Multi-Service Center
Address: 6719 W. Montgomery Rd., Houston, Texas 77091
Hours: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunnyside Multi-Service Center
Address: 4410 Reed Rd., Houston, Texas 77051
Hours: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
West Gray Multi-Purpose Center
Address: 1475 W Gray St, Houston, TX 77019
Hours: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Moody Community Center
Address: 3725 Fulton St, Houston, TX 77009
Hours: 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Kingwood Community Center
Address: 4102 Rustic Woods, Houston TX 77345
Hours: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Fifth Ward Multi-Service Center
Address: 4014 Market St, Houston, TX 77020
Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Kashmere Multi-Service Center
Address: 4802 Lockwood Dr, Houston, TX 77026
Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Houston Public Library (Open Thursday, July 11, 2024 – 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
Address: 3110 Hayes Rd., Suite 300, Houston, TX 77082
Hours: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Non-profit - Cooling Centers
Lakewood Church
Address: 3700 Southwest Fwy, Houston, TX 77027
Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Compudopt Office
Address: 1602 Airline Drive, Houston, Texas 77009
Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Details: The charging stations can accommodate up to 25 persons at one time. Six laptops will also be available for use by families.
American Red Cross - Shelter Locations
BakerRipley Gulfton Sharpstown Campus
Address: 6500 Rookin, Houston, TX 77074
Hours: Opens Tuesday, July 9 at 10:00 PM; starting Wednesday, July 10 the location will be open 24 hours
BakerRipley Ripley House
Address: 4410 Navigation, Houston, TX 77011
Hours: Open 24 hours
Details: This location will be staffed with paramedics from HFD for anyone needing minor medical support
Champion Forest Baptist Church
Address: 16518 Jersey Dr. Houston, TX 77040
Hours: Open 24 hours
Harris County Cooling Centers, Heat Safety, and Recovery-
Precinct 1
Cooling Centers (Open from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
Lincoln Park Community Center - 979 Grenshaw St., Houston, 77088
Julia C. Hester House - 2020 Solo St, Houston, TX 77020
Distribution Locations (Open from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. or until supplies run out)
Harris County Precinct One Central Service Center - 7901 El Rio St, Houston, TX 77054
Lincoln Park Community Center - 979 Grenshaw St, Houston, 77088
Julia C. Hester House - 2020 Solo St, Houston, TX 77020
Precinct 2
Cooling Centers
Hardy Community Center: 11901 W Hardy Rd, Houston, TX 77076
EHAC: 7340 Spencer Hwy, Pasadena, TX, 77505
Flukinger Community Center: 16003 Lorenzo St, Channelview, TX 77530
Precinct 3
All programming at Precinct 3 Community Centers is canceled until further notice; however, they will distribute water and food while supplies last.
Due to power issues, the following Community Centers will close after supplies run out:
Barrett Station Community Center
May Community Center
San Jacinto Community Center
George H.W. Bush Community Center
The following Community Centers will also distribute food and water supplies but will remain open during normal hours (8 a.m. - 8 p.m.) for the public to charge devices and enjoy free Wi-Fi in an air-conditioned facility:
Solid Waste: Normal schedule resumes Thursday, July 11, for garbage, heavy tree waste, and storm debris collection.
BARC: Closed for most public services on Thursday, July 11, except for lost pets and sick/injured pet intake through the back entrance at 2700 Evella St. Services expand on Friday, July 12, to include pet adoption and lost pet services via the Wellness Center entrance at 3200 Carr St. and sick/injured pet intake through the back entrance at 2700 Evella St.
Municipal Courts: Normal operations resumed. Case resets for July 8-9 will take place at all City of Houston court locations through July 16, 2024. Visit www.houstontx.gov/courts for information on court locations and hours.
The Houston Health Department recommends the following precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke:
Drink more water: Drink lots of liquids even before getting thirsty, but avoid beverages with caffeine, alcohol, or large amounts of sugar as these can result in the loss of body fluid.
Conduct outdoor work or exercise in the early morning or evening: Outdoor workers should drink plenty of water or electrolyte replacement beverages and take frequent breaks in the shade or in an air-conditioned facility.
Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing that permits the evaporation of perspiration.
Do not leave infants, children, senior citizens, or pets unattended in a parked vehicle, even if the windows are cracked open.
Wear a wide-brimmed hat to help prevent sunburn and heat-related illness. Apply sunscreen to protect from the sun’s harmful rays and reduce the risk of sunburn.
Seek accommodations in air-conditioned facilities during the heat of the day if your home is not air-conditioned: a relative’s home, multi-service centers, malls, movie theaters, libraries, etc.
Take frequent cool baths or showers if your home is not air-conditioned.
Houston Public Works: The permitting center at 1002 Washington Ave. is open during normal business hours. For information about fast-tracking electrical permits, visit Houston Permitting Center.
SNAP recipients in 121 counties listed in Acting Governor Patrick’s disaster declarations must apply for replacement benefits by August 8. Affected counties are listed below. Beginning July 11, recipients can apply by dialing 2-1-1 and selecting Option 8. Recipients can also download Form H1855 (Affidavit for Nonreceipt or Destroyed SNAP Benefits). Completed forms should be mailed to Texas Health and Human Services Commission, P.O. Box 149027, Austin, TX 78714-9027, or faxed to 877-447-2839.
Recipients who live in counties other than those listed below can apply for replacement benefits in person within 10 days of discovering their food was lost or destroyed due to the recent storms. Individuals in those counties must go to a local benefits office to request replacement food benefits.
HHSC is also providing crisis counseling for Texans affected by this disaster through local mental health authorities. To locate a local mental health authority, visit the Where Can I Find Services page.
Additionally, the WIC program, administered by HHSC, is replacing food and formula benefits lost during Hurricane Beryl through July 31, 2024. Families can visit TexasWIC.org or call 800-942-3678 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and select Option 3 to speak with an operator who will help find an open WIC location. WIC participants will need to go to the WIC office to replace food benefits. WIC also offers 24/7 breastfeeding assistance through its lactation support hotline: 855-550-6667.
Important Tips:
Take pictures of your storm damage for assessment and FEMA eligibility.
Report all property damage to the State of Texas using the iSTAT tool: damage.tdem.texas.gov
Contact your insurance company before applying for FEMA assistance.
For debris removal help, contact the Crisis Cleanup hotline at 832-509-2977.
Report scams and fraud to the Texas Attorney General.
It is an honor to serve and represent you.
Gene Wu
State Representative
House District 137
LISC Houston Pre-development and Preservation Grant Application
LISC announced the launch of LISC Houston’s Pre-development and Preservation Grant Application. This funding opportunity aims to tackle the pressing challenges of attainable affordable housing in the Greater Houston area by bolstering the development and preservation of both single family and multifamily affordable housing units including mixed use developments.
This grant offers funding for:
Pre-development activities, which are crucial but often underfunded stages of housing projects. This includes but is not limited to costs associated with site assessments, architectural planning, legal fees, and environmental studies.
Preservation of existing affordable housing, which is vital for maintaining the affordability of neighborhoods and preventing displacement. This aspect of the grant helps extend the lifespan of housing projects and ensures they continue to serve the community effectively.
For more details, please read through thegrant application. As a courtesy, the document includes the application questions. Please note, application submissions are done online – more details in the grant application
Key Details:
Grant Amount: up to $25,000
Application Deadline Online Submission: 12pm, July 8, 2024 via click here
If you or someone you know has a project that fits within the scope of opportunity, we encourage you to apply. Additionally, we ask for your support in sharing this opportunity with others who might be interested.
Gulfton, Alief to Benefit from $43 Million Grant Aimed at Rebuilding Sidewalks, Increasing Tree Canopy to Mitigate Heat
A new study has ranked Alief and Gulfton as two of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Houston when it comes to traffic injuries and fatalities for children. But a $43 million federal grant funded by the Department of Transportation could soon help reduce the danger.
Rice University’s Baker Institute found that three of the four most dangerous areas for children walking and biking in Houston are in Alief and Gulfton. Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher, who represents both neighborhoods, helped arrange a grant through the Department of Transportation to deal with the threat.
In addition to addressing traffic safety, the grant will support the installation of new green stormwater infrastructure and the planting of tree canopy to mitigate the effects of heat. Last year,HoustonPublic Media investigated how extreme heat affects residents who rely on public transportation. It found that adding tree canopy could mitigate the problem.
Houston Toolbank
The Houston ToolBank is a nonprofit that provides fellow not-for-profit and community-focused organizations year-round access to an inventory of tools and equipment for use in projects, programs, and events. We provide tools to enhance the charitable sector’s capacity to serve, scale, and facilitate hands-on volunteerism. Access to ToolBank tools eliminates the need for agencies to incur the expense of purchasing, insuring, repairing, and storing tools, reducing the costs associated with service projects and allowing these agencies to focus more resources on their mission. We have a warehouse of 299 tool types and more than 15,000 tools, from basic items like shovels and hammers to bigger ticket items like generators, pressure washers, and high-quality power tools. To support the evolving needs of our community partners, we have added event equipment like a portable riser, folding tables and chairs, and lawn games. We have begun formalizing school partnerships and disaster programs.
Organizations can sign up to become ToolBank members at our website. www.houstontoolbank.org
Gulfton Complete Communities Is…
Gulfton is a culturally diverse, international community with over 50 languages spoken and is home to 40,000 residents. Although it includes two small areas of single-family homes, its large apartment complexes dominate the area’s landscape along with scattered commercial and light industrial uses. Most of Gulfton was originally developed as a rural subdivision called Westmoreland Farms.
Often described as the Ellis Island of current time, Gulfton is the most densely populated community in Houston, with about 90 apartment complexes and 71% Hispanic residents including immigrants from Mexico and Central America.
Gulfton is known for its compassion and services to help newcomers into the country, city, and area. Although traditionally a Salvadoran and Mexican neighborhood, many immigrants have begun coming from different Latin-American and Middle Eastern countries in search of these resources and services.
Let's Talk About What's Happening
CenterPoint Energy's Agencies in Action Program
Provides...
You qualify if:
You are a residential customer of CenterPoint Energy Electric.
Your home is at least 16 years old.
Your annual household income qualifies you to meet income guidelines or you receive benefits from a public assistance program.
(SNAP, Medical Assistance or Medicare, Supplemental Security Income, Public Housing, Children’s Health Insurance, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families)
GIVE US A CALL! (855-751-6432) or visit CenterPointEnergy.com/AgenciesinAction
Building Food Security: 101
Thank you for joining the Building Food Security: 101 Panel Discussion meeting on Tuesday, March 29to hear about the challenges of food insecurity in our communities and learned about how residents can advocate for fresh foods at their local grocery stores, create farmers' markets, and connected with partners to achieve food security.
This virtual meeting provided residents with the tools and resources needed to combat food insecurities, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.
Neighborhood Preservation Tools
If you want to learn about ways you can preserve the established character of your neighborhood, please watch the video below.
To report a city tree that needs pruning or to request a tree removal permit contact the Urban Forestry section by calling 311 or visit the 311 Houston Service Center online www.houston311.org to submit your request.
For more information on how to report light poles that are out or need maintenance, to request a new light pole, and to report tree canopy, please utilize the video below with CenterPoint, Public Works, and Urban Forestry. Thank you!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkBFT-4zLbI
Bloomberg Philanthropies Asphalt Art Initiative Grant
Bloomberg Philanthropies awarded 26 U.S. cities grants to help transform streets and public spaces through its Asphalt Art Initiative. The City of Houston was selected and awarded $25,000.00.
The City of Houston, in partnership with Gulfton community stakeholders, My Connect Community, and Southwest Management District, is seeking statements of interest from eligible artists for the asphalt art project, Gulfton Safe Streets.
The Gulfton Safe Streets project is a design intervention proposed to integrate art into the crosswalks and pedestrian spaces at High Star Road and Westward Street at Hillcroft Street, Gulfton Community's main street corridor.
Familias Latinas Por La Educación (Latino Family in Education Fellowship) is a parent advocacy program that aims to build a greater understanding among Houston ISD’s Latino parents around school quality, challenges affecting their child’s education, solutions to address these challenges, and their opportunities to engage with those in power. The program kicked off in June, by holding space for the 20 participating parents and family members to address the dreams and aspirations they have for their children and aimed to instill a vision of themselves as leaders.
Throughout the program sessions, parents were provided with everything from a high-level overview of the Houston ISD school system, to a deep dive into the state of Latino education. This background knowledge is key to providing families with the foundation that they need in order to propose a parent-led agenda on improving the quality of education to decision-makers at the end of the program.
To read the full article about the Latino Family in Education Fellowship program click here
Please contact Sandra Rodriguez, Advocacy Director, Greater Houston Latinos for Education for more information Sandra@latinosforeducation.org.
Photo by: Houston Chronicle
HBI, Recruit Skilled Workers from HBI's Gulfton and Acres Home Trades Programs
DO YOUR PART TO PROTECT OUR PIPES!
70% of sanitary sewer overflows in Houston are caused by clogs from fats, oils and grease poured down the drain and wipes flushed down toilets.
Put grease in its place! Dispose of leftover cooking waste with these easy steps: pour it in a jar, can, or bag, cool it, and once full, toss it in the trash.
Also, only flush the three P’s - pee, poo, and (toilet) paper. Everything else should go in the trash.
Together, we can all prevent clogs and harmful overflows! Learn more: www.ProtectOurPipes.org.
Learn more from Sammy, Ruby, and Martin – our Protect Our Pipes characters – through the resources below!
Thank you for participating in the Designing for Impact series. Over 400 people and 12 design professionals participated and facilitated these meetings in hopes to accomplish the objectives of the Houston Complete Communities Initiative.
The City of Houston would like to especially thank AIA Houston and the Houston Chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) for engaging our communities and providing exceptional design concepts from projects outlined in the Complete Communities Action Plan.
AIA Houston and the City of Houston’s Complete Communities reserves and retains the ownership, the use, and copies of designs created, submitted, and presented.
Complete Communities continues to work to attract new development and supports expand resources throughout the neighborhoods.
Gulfton Complete Communities Progress Report
Missed the last meeting? You can watch the recording and the progress report presentation under "Gulfton Complete Communities Re-engagement Meeting" section to the right.