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Greetings from
Council Member Mike Knox
October Newsletter
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City Launches Program to
Repair Tarp-Covered Roofs
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The roof lines of Houston’s neighborhoods will soon be less blue, thanks to a new program to repair storm-damaged roofs, many of which have been covered with tarps since Hurricane Ike in 2008. Unofficially dubbed the “Blue Tarp Program,” the initiative targets all repairable storm-damaged roofs, regardless of tarp color or when damaged, for homes of households earning 120 percent or less of Houston’s Area Median Income (AMI). For a single-person household, this is a maximum income of $58,150, or $83,050 for a family of four.
The program targets income-qualified homeowners with damaged, but repairable, roofs. Many of the homes still covered with tarps from Hurricane Ike need to be demolished and rebuilt, not repaired. The city Housing and Community Development Department (HCDD), which is conducting the Blue Tarp Program, classifies a home as a tear-down if it has more than $65,000 in damages. There are other city programs for these homes.
To identify homes that qualify for the Blue Tarp Program, HCDD is using aerial photography that shows tarps on the roofs, and then sending out teams to drive neighborhoods for closer visual inspections. If an inspection shows the roof can be repaired, the resident is interviewed and an application is completed, frequently on-site at the first visit. If the resident is not home, information in English and Spanish is left indicating how to request assistance.
To complete the roof repairs, the city is contracting with Rebuilding Together Houston, a non-profit agency that has been providing home repair services since 1982. HCDD is qualifying the homeowners and Rebuilding Together Houston is providing the professional labor to complete the repairs.
The blue tarp program is the city’s third initiative to assist Houstonians impacted by Hurricane Ike. Disaster Recovery Round One provided $81 million in federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Disaster Recovery funds for housing activities and assisted nearly 3,000 Houstonians, providing repairs to single family and multifamily homes as well as down payment assistance to families seeking new homes. Disaster Recovery Round Two, which is currently underway, has $122.5 million in CDBG Disaster Recovery funds for the repair or reconstruction of approximately 300 single-family homes, 258 of which are already completed, and 1,088 multifamily homes.
While many of the homes to be repaired through the Blue Tarp Program were initially damaged in Hurricane Ike, any tarp-covered roof of income-qualifying homeowners will be considered. Rental properties do not qualify. For information about the program or to determine if you qualify, contact the HCDD Call Center at 832-394-6200.
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Free: Small Business Workshop
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2015 Draft Action Plan For Disaster Recovery
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During Memorial Day weekend and Halloween weekend, 2015, Houston experienced severe flooding from storms that impacted multiple Texas counties. On May 29, 2015 and on November 25, 2015, President Barack Obama declared a major disaster existed in those counties. These disasters, referenced by FEMA as the Texas Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding (DR-4223 and DR-4245), paved the way for federal assistance to the impacted areas.
On February 29, 2016, HUD announced the award of $66.56 million to the City of Houston to address unmet housing, infrastructure and business needs in the areas recovering from the 2015 floods. HUD provides flexible grants to help cities, counties and states recover from presidentially declared disasters, especially in low-income areas, subject to availability of supplemental appropriations.
You can view the Action Plan for Disaster Recovery - 2015 Flood Events here: http://houstontx.gov/housing/2015-Draft-Action-Plan-for-Disaster-Recovery.pdf
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Applications Being Accepted for Police Chief's Youth Police Advisory Council
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The Houston Police Department is inviting Houston area high school students to apply for the 2016-2017 Youth Police Advisory Council (YPAC).
Students will address issues affecting youth and the community, participate in community service projects and attend youth leadership conferences throughout the state. Additionally, the YPAC meets regularly with Acting Chief of Police Martha I. Montalvo and other top HPD officials.
YPAC members are required to meet five times during the school year at the HPD Edward A. Thomas Building at 1200 Travis in downtown Houston.
Applications are available online at www.houstontx.gov/police/vip/images/ypac-app.pdf. The deadline to apply is Saturday, October 1, 2016.
For more information, visit www.houstontx.gov/police/vip/ypac.htm, email rhonda.collins-byrd@houstonpolice.org or call 713-308-3200.
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George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) Concessions Industry Day
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United Airlines and food, beverage and retail management firm OTG Management welcome Houston retailers, restaurateurs, and service providers to IAH Concessions Industry Day which will include networking opportunities and information for Minority/Women/Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (M/W/DBE). Don't miss this chance to learn about business opportunities at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, one of the busiest airports in the nation.
WHEN:
10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Saturday, October 8, 2016
WHERE:
M.O. Campbell Educational Center, 1865 Aldine-Bender Road, Houston, TX 77032. Free parking is available.
Reserve your space by emailing
IAHLeasingInfo@OTGexp.com
. Please include your name, company, email address, and phone number.
Please RSVP by October 1.
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Groomed for Literacy - Call to Action
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BARBER CALL-TO-ACTION
Groomed for Literacy
Call To Barbers & Barbershop Owners
The Houston Public Library in partnership with Put It In A Book Foundation and other literacy and education stakeholders invite you to take part in a groundbreaking program, Groomed for Literacy. Groomed for Literacy aims to address the literacy gap or underserved youth, with specific emphasis on young boys of color.
Groomed for Literacy will help establish a culture and love of reading by increasing access to books in communities identified with high populations of individuals having low literacy, low income and low access to quality books. This program supports the placement of Little Free Libraries, stocked with books, in barbershops citywide.
If you want to make a difference and be a part of the change necessary to help our youth, then take these important steps:
Step 1: SIGN UP!
Visit
www.houstonlibrary.org/groomedforliteracy
and be a participating barbershop to have books placed in your barbershop.
Step 2: SPEAK UP!
Tell other reputable barbers and barbershop owners about the program so they may get involved too!
Step 3: SHOW UP!
Attend the program launch event on Saturday, September 24, 2016, 10 AM-12 PM to participate in the building of the Little Free Libraries that will house the books that go into the barbershops.
Find out more on the launch event.
Don’t delay, ACT TODAY!
Visit
www.houstonlibrary.org/groomedforliteracy
or call 832-393-1313 for more information
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Mayor's Youth Council Applications
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Festival of Abilities
Benefitting a Playground for All Abilities at Oak Forest Park
Hosted by Friends of Oak Forest Park, Leather Apron Foundation, and Houston Parks Board
Saturday, Oct 29, 2016, from 3-7 pm
Oak Forest Park
2100 Judiway, Houston, TX 77018
Guests of Honor: Mayor Pro-Tem Ellen Cohen, Council Member District C, will make a brief presentation at 5 pm and Michelle Colvard, the Oak Forest Park project’s ADA advisor, will also be honored at that time. A former Ms. Wheelchair America and Texas, as well as the former Executive Director for the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, Michelle was a driving force in building the Vale-Asche Playground Without Limits at Memorial Park and has been a lifelong advocate for people with disabilities.
http://www.mswheelchairtexas.org/michelle-colvard/
Event Details:
- The focus of the Halloween-themed event is inclusivity, with activities for both typically-able guests and those with special needs. Activities are for all ages and abilities!
- Stroll & Roll costume parade, Arts Alive! “Halloween Happening” expressive arts program, petting zoo, fitness for all, arts and crafts, pumpkin patch, games, music, trick or treating, food trucks
- Bayou City Play “loose parts” adaptive play area
- Performance by Fly Dance Company, “the gentlemen of hip-hop” with audience interaction http://www.flydancecompany.com
- Scrimmages with the TIRR Memorial Hermann Hotwheels, defending national champion wheelchair basketball team and Texans quad rugby; cheer on the Fireballs power soccer team, and Monster Dash adaptive obstacle course, hosted by Houston Parks and Recreation Department, Adaptive Sports & Recreation
- Donor recognition opportunities – all donations to Houston Parks Board are tax deductible (designate Oak Forest Park)
- Mad Potter painted art tile project fundraiser
- 100% of all net proceeds benefit the Oak Forest Park Revitalization - More Than1Way 2Play campaign
- $10/person suggested donation or $35 including craft beer garden and wine tastings (21+ with valid ID)
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Scholarship for Latino High School Students
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The Youth Awards program is presented by the Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) and its sponsors. Celebrating its 18th year the Youth Awards honors Latino high school students across the nation, we believe the talented Youth Awardees we honor each year are the leaders of today, not tomorrow and their impact will be felt in the classrooms, communities and the workforce. Join us as we identify, inspire and prepare our students to meet America’s priorities.
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Minor Critical Emergency
Home Repair Program
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The
Minor Critical Emergency Home Repair Program (MCEHRP)
is open! Please call the Housing and Community Development Department (832.394.6161) for more information. Please see requirements:
- Minor critical emergency home repairs are those repairs critically needed to alleviate life, health or safety hazards
- Applicants must be qualified to participate in the program; applying does not guarantee approval for or acceptance into the program
- Rebuilding Together Houston will provide critical repairs UP TO $10,000 per home to qualified applicants
- Specific repair services are determined based on condition of home, cost of repairs and availability of funds
For more information, please contact the
MCEHRP
at
832.394.6161
, or the Department at
832.394.6200
.
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Constable Ruben Davis Prayer Breakfast
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Enjoyed the Ruben Davis prayer breakfast at the Quail Run Community Center and had a few moments to recognize Constable Davis for the great work he is dong in Fort Bend County.
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H.I.S.D. dropped by to interview me. The topic was about the importance of staying in school.
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9/11 Hero's Run at Ellington Field
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I attended the 911 Hero's Run honoring the sacrifices made by our military and first responders at Ellington Field. Huge turnout despite the threat of rain!
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Wild Heather Park Ribbon Cutting
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Great day to open a new Park. I was honored to support my colleague Council Member Larry Green in cutting the ribbon at Wild Heather Park in District K. A long time coming and beautifully done!
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9/11 Memorial at Market Square
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Lauren Catuzzi was a graduate of Statford High in Houston. The 9/11 Memorial is held each year at her garden in Market Square. Lauren was the only Houstonian on Flight #93 had just found out she was 12 weeks pregnant when her plane was hijacked and crashed in Pennsylvania. See her story here.
www.marketsquarepark.com.
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The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Annual 9/11 Remembrance Day
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Thank you Ahmadiyya Muslim Community for hosting this Inter Faith Dialogue about our faith on the 15th anniversary of 9/11. We shared stories of faith and unity in the days following 9/11/2001. Rabbi Steven Morgen of Beth Yeshuran with Rev. Gregory Han, and Father William Richter of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church from Kingwood were also in attendance.
http://www.ahmadiyya.us/about-ahmadiyya-muslim-community
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Council Member Dwight Boykins' Swingin for Seniors Golf Tournament
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Council Member Dwight Boykins of District D hosted his annual "Swinging for Seniors" golf tournament at Hermann Park. Any time we can start the work week off with charity golf is a good day.
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Hermann Park Conservancy Tour
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I enjoyed my tour through Hermann Park with Doreen Stoller, Executive Director of Hermann Park Conservancy, and Julie McGowen, Community Development Director. Hermann Park is a welcome oasis in a busy city.
http://www.hermannpark.org/
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Proclamation Presentation honoring Veronica Hernandez and Delores "Dee" Jones
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Congratulations to Veronica Hernandez and Dee Jones for your tireless and faithful leadership to Houston. It was a privilege to honor you both.
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Happy Birthday Mayor Sylvester Turner!
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Glad to celebrate Mayor Sylvester Turners birthday after council with some delicious birthday cake.
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Lone Survivor Foundation Dinner
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After surviving his operations in Afghanistan, Marcus Luttrell returned home to his ranch in Texas, the center of his post-combat recovery and restoration. On the ranch, Marcus had time to recover, to think, and to feel the love and support of close friends and family as he healed his wounds. Based upon firsthand experiences of what is needed to provide holistic healing beyond standard government programs, while honoring his lost comrades from Operation Redwing, Marcus established the Lone Survivor Foundation in 2010.
http://lonesurvivorfoundation.org/about-us/#sthash.JGLRfcv0.dpuf
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Eye Care for Kids Board of Directors Induction Ceremony
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Dr. Irv Wishnow has devoted his life to vision care. Honored to swear in new members of Eye Care for Kids. Eye Care for Kids serves children from Conroe to Beaumont, Galveston, Houston and beyond.
www.eyecareforkids.org
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Grand Opening of Fire Station 68
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Council Member Mike Laster, Council Member Karla Cisneros, Mayor Turner, and I were joined by children from Sharpstown Elementary for this reopening of Fire Station 68. The renovation included the relocation of Fire Fighters to a trailer on site, the demo of the interior structure including the mezzanine level watch office. A new floor plan was developed and permitted. The station was given all new interior walls, sheet-rock, electrical, plumbing, A/C units and duct, appliances, cabinets, stainless steel counters, and mill-work. All existing surfaces were resurfaced. A new expanded parking lot was poured, giving Fire Fighters an additional 3/4 acreage of parking area. A new women's bath, evaluation room, and workout room were added within the existing footprint.
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(832) 393-3014
311 or (713) 837-0311
Emergency
911
HPD Non-Emergency
(713) 884-3131
(832) 393-0955
(832) 393-1100
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(832) 393-4301
311 or (713) 837-0311
(713) 521-4600
(832) 393-0992
(832) 394-0814
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John Moss
Chief of Staff
Carla Hulsey
Deputy Chief of Staff
Lanny Griffith
Communications Director
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City Council Member Mike Knox, At-Large Position 1 | 900 Bagby St., First Floor | Houston, TX 77002 | (832) 393-3014 | Atlarge1@houstontx.gov
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