Department of Neighborhoods launches bilingual messaging service |
|
The Department of Neighborhoods has launched Neighborhood Updates, a new way for Houstonians to stay informed about COVID-19 recovery resources, essential city services, and seasonal advisories via telephone voice and text messages in English and Spanish.
The new service is caters to seniors and persons with disabilities who require communications by voice or text, and residents who prefer information in Spanish.
As the city fights the coronavirus pandemic, Neighborhood Updates will give priority to notifications about COVID-19 testing, health safety practices, and recovery resources.
|
|
Register for Mental Health, Healing and Wellness Virtual Town Hall |
|
Mayor Sylvester Turner and the Houston Health Equity Response (H.E.R.) Task Force invite you to the second installment of the H.E.R virtual town hall series, Mental Health in Minority Communities During the Pandemic.
Hosted by the Task Force’s Faith Community Leaders Subcommittee, the live and interactive forum will be from 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. on Friday, August 21, 2020.
“I know the COVID-19 pandemic is causing great distress for many of us. That is why it is important to share what you are feeling and to know that you are not alone,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “Whatever you are feeling right now: hope, sadness, frustration or happiness. They are all valid and OK. Having healthy outlets to explore these feelings is what is important. That is the goal of the virtual town hall. We want you to be empowered as you navigate these unprecedented times.”
|
|
Complete Your Community: Respond to the Census by September 30 |
|
Completing the Census is one the easiest, but most important ways you can do to make an impact on your community without even leaving the comfort of your home. But time is running out. The self-response deadline has changed from October 31 to September 30, cutting short our opportunities to count each and every Houstonian.
Census enumerators are out in your community, helping folks answer those 10 quick questions, but don't wait for them to knock on your door. Census data gives policymakers the tools to make informed decisions about federally funded programs that assist our neighborhoods. Funding for medical care, pre-school and after school programs, affordable home development, and disaster recovery all depends on Census data, and Census data depends on all of us.
Respond today by visiting my2020census.gov or call 844.330.2020 for English, 844.468.2020 for Spanish. |
|
Help is Available Through COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program |
|
The City of Houston is providing a second round of rent relief for City of Houston/ Harris County tenants experiencing economic hardship from COVID-19. Landlords must agree to the terms of the program and will be paid directly by Baker Ripley.
Mayor Sylvester Turner is also asking landlords to waive late fees and interest on late payments, agree to a payment plan and refrain from evictions through September 2020.
Landlords can enroll in the Houston Rental Assistance Program until August 26. Tenants can begin to apply to receive up to $2,112 for delinquent rent from August 24-30.
Funding for the City's second rental relief package includes $15 million from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, also known as the CARES Act, and $5 million from private donors:
· $2 million from the Houston Endowment
· $1 million from the Greater Houston COVID-19 Recovery Fund
· $1 million from the Kinder Foundation
· $1 million from Texans owner and co-founder Janice McNair
|
|
Heat Illness Safety Tips from Houston Fire Department |
|
The Houston Fire Department reminds residents about the importance of taking safety measures when outdoors to avoid heat-related medical emergencies, this also includes making sure caregivers "Look Before They Lock" for children and pets left in vehicles.
|
|
Get Artsy Every Last Thursday of the Month |
|
The Houston Arts Alliance is part of a collective of local Houston-area arts organizations hosting a virtual town hall for artists, arts leaders, and arts lovers on the last Thursday of every month at 2 p.m.
The purpose of the town hall is to create a connection between members of our community in a moment of isolation.
Join the event to share, listen, witness, get and give support during a difficult time.
|
|
Help Shape Community Health in Acres Homes |
|
The Be Well Communities team in partnership with Harris Health System, Memorial Hermann Community Benefit Corporation and UTHealth School of Public Health is hosting a virtual community meeting in Acres Homes on August 26 from 9:30 – 11 a.m.
Join the meeting to hear updates from the Mayor’s Office of Complete Communities on the Acres Homes Community Action Plan and to learn from other key leaders about work underway in the community. In this meeting, attendees will prioritize the next critical actions steps for the Acres Home community to help shape the future of health in Acres Homes.
Be Well Communities™ is an initiative of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center that unites individuals, schools, workplaces, government agencies, health care providers and non-profit organizations to plan and carry out sustainable, community-led solutions that will make positive, long-lasting changes in people’s lives. Be Well Communities works with communities to promote wellness and stop cancer before it starts.
|
|
Masks, food, multi-lingual medical resources distribution on August 22 |
|
The Mayor's Health Equity Response Task Force, in conjunction with medical care and faith community leaders, are hosting a distribution event from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 22 at Notre Dame Catholic Church, 7720 Boon Road. Food, milk, masks, COVID-19 information and educational resources will be available in multiple languages. View full versions of the flyers.
|
|
COVID-19 Testing
Extended to Sept. 30
Free COVID-19 testing at Crump Stadium, 12321 High Star Road, has been extended through September 30. Registration is required to get tested.
FREE COVID-19
call 844-778-2455
SE REQUIERE INSCRIPCIÓN.
O LLAME AL 844-778-2455
HOẶC GỌI 844-778-2455
或致电844-778-2455
|
|
Census 2020 in Westwood
Higher Dimension promoted the Census on Saturday August 1 for their monthly P.E.A.C.E. Day in Westwood.
The current Census response rate for Alief is 53% and Westwood is 42%.
|
|
Fort Bend County Distributes Free PPE Kits
Fort Bend County will hold three distribution events for Personal Protective Equipment including surgical masks, wipes, hand soap and sanitizer on three days:
August 21 at Pinnacle Senior Center, 5525 Hobby St. in Houston.
August 28 at Cinco Ranch Library, 2620 Commercial Center Blvd. in Katy.
September 4 at Four Corners Center, 15700 Old Richmond Rd. in Sugar Land.
All events will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. until supplies last.
|
|
Hilcroft Safety Improvement Project |
|
With a dedicated focus on improving street safety and quality of life for all, the City of Houston is proposing the Hillcroft Safety Project for the Gulfton community. Building on Mayor Sylvester Turner’s Complete Communities program, the Hillcroft Safety Project aims to improve the comfort level and safe movement of all users with the installation of new sidewalks, safe crossings, transit access, protected bikeways, and improved lighting along the corridor.
Houston Public Works will hold a virtual public meeting on
Thursday, August 27 at 6:30 p.m. on Microsoft Teams.
Houston Public Works needs your help. Your participation in this virtual meeting will influence the outcome of the proposed project.
|
|
Urban Harvest Offers Double Up Food Bucks Pre-made Produce Boxes |
|
Use your Lonestar/EBT Card and Urban Harvest will double your SNAP dollars on fresh fruits and vegetables. On the first Wednesday of the month, you can pick up a Double Up Food Bucks produce box at Legacy Community Health, 3811 Lyons Avenue.
Pre-order to reserve your box by visiting urbanharvest.org or purchase in-person anytime between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Click the photos for a full view.
|
|
Kashmere Gardens celebrated Keith Downey Day August 4 |
|
Congratulations to Kashmere Gardens Super Neighborhood #52 President Keith Downey, who was recognized this month by Mayor Sylvester Turner for his hard and dedicated work in the community.
Not only has he shown great leadership in the super neighborhood council, he is also the co-founder of the Northeast Community Farmers Market to help address food insecurities within Kashmere Gardens and surrounding communities.
He founded the Kashmere Feeder Pattern Community Council, which aims to improve children’s educational experience and promote engagement with alumni, parents, educators, and other community members. During this ongoing pandemic, he has helped to provide hundreds of hot meals to seniors and people with disabilities.
We thank Mr. Downey for his tremendous service to the community.
|
|
Magnolia Park-Manchester Final Public Meeting |
|
On Wednesday, July 29, the Final Public Meeting for the Magnolia Park-Manchester Complete Community was held on Zoom with over 50 participants.
The meeting was an opportunity for residents to review and prioritize the projects and goals in the action plan. Participants were encouraged to register with the Planning and Development Department’s new community engagment website Let's Talk Houston.
Visit the website to find out more about the action plan for Magnolia Park-Manchester and how you can participate.
|
|
Free Grab & Go Kid's Meals Every Thursday |
|
Northside Episcopal Church, located at 3303 N. Main Street, is partnering with Be A Champion Inc. to deliver healthy and nutritious meals every Thursday from 6 - 7 p.m. More details are on the flyer. For more information call 281-833-3129 or visit www.bachamp.org.
|
|
New Affordable Hope Housing Development Breaks Ground |
|
As the first new affordable housing development since the pandemic began, New Hope Housing’s Avenue J, located in the East End at 5220 Avenue J, will offer an affordable option in a neighborhood with escalating rental rates. It will most appeal to those with low incomes, including working poor families and those on a fixed income.
The transit-oriented development will be close to job opportunities and many nearby amenities, including a grocery store, pharmacy, library, public parks, hike & bike trail and schools. The property will feature an upper-level terrace with play equipment, seating areas and a panoramic view of downtown Houston. Many of the living units will face the downtown skyline. The property will be an energy-efficient, sustainable development.
Monthly rents for the apartments will range from approximately $450 to $1,000. Visit New Hope Housing for more information.
|
|
Second Ward Gets Census Mural
A sixth Yes! to Census 2020 mural will be created in the undercounted Second Ward neighborhood. The mural will be painted on the wall of Lennox BBQ, located at 5420 Harrisburg Blvd.
Carlos Alcaraz (artist name Empire) has been selected by UP Art Studios to create the Second Ward Yes! to Census 2020 mural. Carlos lived in the Second Ward as a child and went to school there, and over the last six years has worked in the neighborhood at the Harrisburg Art Museum.
East End and Second Ward residents are invited to take this survey and share your input about how you view your community. This feedback will be used to design the mural. |
|
Sunnyside projects to be featured at Architecture Center Houston ‘Houston 2020 Visions Exhibition’
Inspired by Houston’s experience during Hurricane Harvey and other national disasters, Houston City Council Member David W. Robinson, FAIA, led the Houston 2020 Visions competition as a creative way to address some of these challenges with a focus on urban design and planning.
The exhibition will launch at www.Houston2020Visions.org on August 31, 2020, during the third anniversary of Hurricane Harvey’s arrival in Houston.
The exhibition’s content, including a virtual tour, and calendar of events will be featured on the website and updated through the duration of the exhibition. Virtual programming, including dynamic panel discussions with national resiliency experts, will be curated to pair with featured projects, taking place throughout the late summer, fall, and winter of 2020.
|
|
Neighborhood Matching Grant Program Accepting Applications |
|
The Department of Neighborhoods Matching Grant Program is now accepting applications.
The Neighborhood Matching Grant Program helps neighborhoods fund various beautification and improvement projects by providing a dollar-for-dollar matching grant reimbursement ranging from $500 to $5,000
|
|
Better METRO Service for Scott Street is Coming Soon |
|
Wider, repainted and redesigned sidewalks, wheelchair accessible ramps, and rebuilt bus stops are in the near future for METRO riders using bus service along Scott Street.
METRO and Harris County Precinct One are collaborating to spend up to $4.1 million dollars funded by Commissioner Rodney Ellis’ office for street and sidewalk improvements, mostly along Scott Street south of Loop 610.
“I want to make sure I am using county dollars in the city by and large in places that would not be able to get those projects without us stepping up.” Ellis said, touting the benefits of better transit to Sunnyside, where he grew up.
Read this Houston Chronicle article for more information about upcoming transit improvements. |
|
Complete Communities is a collaborative effort involving the community and all City of Houston Departments and Divisions with City leadership from:
|
Sign-up to receive updates on activities taking place in your Complete Communities neighborhood!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
