Have a great Fourth! City of Houston Offices will be closed Monday, July 5th as part of the holiday weekend. The District H Team will return Tuesday, July 6th. If you have an emergency, please report it to 911 or 311, as appropriate, and leave the District H a message too, so that we may also assist you.

Public Session next week will move to Wednesday, July 7th, as part of a Consolidated City Council Meeting.

Though the annual day-long festival is on hold for one more season, Houstonians can enjoy the City’s cherished tradition of music and patriotic moments via live broadcast on Sunday, July 4th, 7pm – 10pm on ABC 13.

Fireworks will reach 800 feet, almost doubling the height of the traditional show, so open spaces and neighborhood parks with a view of the western downtown skyline are ideal for viewing the fireworks display. Eleanor Tinsley Park will be open for fireworks viewing only for families that wish to park downtown and walk (Allen Parkway and Memorial Drive will be closed). More info here.

Many pets become lost on July 4th due to the stress induced by the loud celebration. Keep your furry friends safe and at home this year by using the helpful tips listed here.

Get vaccinated for free at one of the 26 Houston Health Department-affiliated sites across the city this week. Getting vaccinated has never been easier, all you have to do is show up. The schedule is available on the vaccine page of the Houston Emergency Center Website and in this news release.

Carnegie, Flores, Moody and Tuttle Neighborhood Libraries are now open for in-person use. You can browse and borrow library items, use library computers or bring your own devices to connect to the library’s free Wi-Fi. Check here for hours of operation, as hours will vary by location. Please call your library for details about limited services that are still in effect.

This week Mayor Turner and City Council unanimously approved an 18% pay increase over the next 3 years for all Houston Firefighters this week. This increase allows the Houston Fire Department to be competitive among cities in the country and to keep talent within the department. Firefighter base pay will increase beginning the first full pay period in each Fiscal Year after July 1^st: 

Council Member Cisneros' investment of $40,000 will help launch a new initiative to build a world class, state-of-the-art cultural arts center that celebrates the rich diversity of Houston's Latinidad. The matching grant will be led by ALMAAHH and will be administered by the Houston Arts Alliance, and launches a fundraising campaign for the planning of a new and inclusive performing and visual arts and museum campus.

The initiative is still in its very early stages, but you can learn how to be a part of this exciting project by clicking here.

The new maker space lab at Northline ES is an important $25,000 investment by Council Member Cisneros to bring equity to a neighborhood where many children do not have access to tech opportunities. It is exciting that HISD's Career and Technology Education (CTE) Department is also very enthusiastic about the opportunities that the TXRX Maker Space is bringing to Northline ES and the surrounding neighborhood, and is interested in exploring how to possibly replicate similar programs at other elementary schools. Learn more about TXRX Labs here.

Landlords and property managers can be a part of the nationally-recognized effort to solve homelessness within our community! The Coalition for the Homeless is looking for one-bedroom units to lease to individuals as part of the Community COVID Housing Program (CCHP).

Rental subsidy/assistance will be paid directly to property managers by the program, and some property managers may be eligible to receive Landlord Incentive Fees (one-time, non-refundable payments) for agreeing to participate.

The individuals being housed will have case management and tenant supports. The Coalition for the Homeless is looking for properties that are willing to work with housing authorities, pass Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspections, consider being all-bills-paid, and relax background check criteria. No hotels. Please contact the landlord engagement team at propertymanagers@homelesshouston.org or call 832-531-6051 if interested.

Learn more at https://www.homelesshouston.org/CCHP#PropertyManagers

The Summer Food Service Program is operating curbside food service programs at all 49 Parks Department Community Centers across the City, including the 29 sites that remain closed this summer. All children ages 0-18 are eligible. Meals are being offered from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM through August 20th, Monday through Friday.

In compliance with CDC & NRPA guidelines for COVID, only the largest City Park Recreation Centers are operating Summer Enrichment Programs this summer. Seven of those twenty centers are located in District H: Denver Harbor MSC; Fonde Recreation Center; Melrose Park; Montie Beach Park; Moody Park; Stude Park and Woodland Park.

Smaller park recreation centers are expected to reopen immediately after Labor Day, when they will resume operations and programming.

The Housing and Community Development Department has extended the input period timeframe by 3 weeks, to allow community members additional time to provide comments that will help guide the development planning process for new developments near Hardy Yards. Residents now have until Wednesday, July 21 to provide input. The Housing and Community Development Department welcomes your calls and emails, or you can provide input here.

Join the First Ward neighborhood this 4th of July holiday weekend for a clean up event! Come by at 9 am to grab your gear to start by 9:30 am!

Trash pickers, gloves, trash bags and refreshments will be provided.

When: Saturday, July 3rd, 9:30 am

Where: 1920 Houston Avenue at the Spring Street Beer & Wine Garden

The Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center has put out an urgent call for blood donations. If you'd like to make a donation and help save lives, click here to find a location where you can donate.

Families who temporarily lost access to student meals during the 2020-2021 school year due to the COVID-19 pandemic can now apply for the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT). The purpose of P-EBT is to provide food assistance to families with students who would have received free or reduced-price lunch while attending school but are not attending school in person because of COVID-19 restrictions.

The application is available here.

HPD's Citywide Positive Interaction Program - "PIP" will return to meeting in-person in the month of July. The July 13th presentation is from the HPD Metal Theft Unit. More info here.

When: Tuesday, July 13, 2021, 7:00 pm

Where: 1602 State St, 77007

Hire Houston Youth: Over 800 jobs are still available! Applicants must be between 16-24 years old, reside in Houston City Limits, and commit to working through August 5th. Intern positions will work 32 hours per week and earn $10 per hour. Apply here.

Free Job Training for Many Careers provided by SERJobs. More info here.

Aviation Maintenance Jet Camp for High School Juniors and Senior: See where a career in Aviation Maintenance can take you. More info here.

*Please visit the District H Resource Page for more opportunities.*

Check out our District H Resources Page for links and more information about available resources. Resources are updated every week.

Download the 311 app to your Android or iPhone. When you see an issue in your neighborhood, use the app to report it. You can even include photos! If you prefer to talk directly to a representative about your issue, or want to request information about City resources, birth certificates, elections, and more, call 713-837-0311. Remember: Always call 911 in the case of an emergency!