December 2019 Newsletter
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner On His Vision For The Next Four Years
In an interview with Houston Public Media, Mayor Turner discusses plans for his second-term in office, including building up Complete Communities, his signature neighborhood revitalization initiative. “It’s very ambitious, focusing resources on communities that have been underserved and under-resourced. You don’t get that done in two or three years,” Mayor Turner said . Read more.
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H-E-B opens new store to serve historic Third Ward, MacGregor area, and Texas Medical Center
The new 90,000 sq.ft. H-E-B MacGregor Market grocery store opened on December 18 – less than a year after breaking ground in February 2019 at the intersection of North MacGregor Way and State Highway 288.
Community Toolbox
Congresswoman Fletcher and Congressman Olson pass the HELP Act to expedite recovery process after disasters

 Mayor Sylvester Turner today applauded Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) and Congressman Pete Olson (TX-22) for passing a bipartisan bill that could have a significant impact in the city of Houston.

H.R. 2548, the Hazard Eligibility and Local Projects (HELP) Act, would help municipalities like Houston and local agencies expedite certain disaster mitigation projects by removing unnecessary delays and streamlining the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) hazard mitigation grant program. Read more.
Imelda assistance fund announces first grants for services to flood victims 


The Imelda Assistance Fund announced today its first round of grants totaling $310,000 to six experienced, local non-profit organizations to provide services and support to Tropical Storm Imelda flood victims.
The Imelda Assistance Fund was established by Mayor Sylvester Turner and Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, in cooperation with the Greater Houston Community Foundation, for survivors following Tropical Storm Imelda.
East End Maker Space Taps into Opportunity Zone For Mayor's Complete Communities Initiative

The target of local, state and federal development initiatives, Houston’s East End will soon welcome Maker Space TXRX Labs in a 307K SF warehouse dubbed East End Maker Space. The latest addition to the rapidly changing neighborhood looks to bring over 400 jobs to the underserved area, spreading the prosperity of urban infill development in Houston’s Inner Loop to the city’s east side. Read more.
Free career training and events in January offered by SERJobs

Non profit community organization SERjobs is conducting free career trainings throughout the month of January. The career trainings are centered around Construction + Safety, Commercial Driver License, Customer Service and Call Center, and Bankworks. SERJobs is a nonprofit community organization that educates and equips people in the Texas Gulf Coast Region who come from low-income background.
Community Updates
Stay up to date on all 10 Complete Communities neighborhood action plans, activities, and accomplishments! Read more.

Director’s Message 

Where will you be living on April 1, 2020? This is one of the most important questions you will answer this spring when the 2020 Census questionnaire arrives in your mailbox.
 
The importance of an accurate count cannot be overstated. It means significant money to our community. Over the next ten years, more than $5 billion in federal funding will be provided to state and local governments based on population. This is money that funds everything from the National School Lunch Program to highway planning grants. From low-income home energy assistance to Medicare Part B supplemental support. From Section 8 housing assistance payments to the Child Care and Development Fund.   Read more.