May 2020 Newsletter
Stay Connected : See our Complete Communities website for the latest information about meetings and activities during the time of coronavirus health concerns. You can also receive City of Houston neighborhood updates by phone about COVID-19, public service activities and meetings, and more. Simply dial 311 or 713-837-0311 to subscribe.
A New Format: Virtual Public Meetings

Public meetings, community feedback and resident participation matter to the City of Houston. Although in-person public meetings are cancelled through May 31 due to pandemic protocols and social distancing guidelines, the City is still open and serving customers, and seeking your input.

Many city departments have integrated virtual meetings and new outreach strategies into their regular business to continue to connect with residents. For example, Mayor Sylvester Turner conducts daily COVID-19 updates that are broadcast on HTV via local cable providers and livestreamed online at www.houstontx.gov/htv. Some meetings are also viewable on Facebook. The Planning Department hosted Planning Commission, Houston Archaeological and Historical Commission, Tower Commission, and Bicycle Advisory Committee meetings using the Microsoft Teams application with a call-in number so that residents could view, pose questions and receive answers during the proceedings.

As the Planning Department prepares to resume the neighborhood engagement process of Mayor Turner’s Complete Communities initiative, we'll offer more technology options to connect with you. Stay tuned to hear more about these new plans.
Community Toolbox
GLO HOMEOWNER ASSISTANCE

Houston Homeowners affected by Hurricane Harvey who need help in repairing or rebuilding their homes can now apply for assistance with Texas' General Land Office (GLO.) GLO may help with home repair and rehabilitation, reconstruction; improving a damaged home so that it is more resilient against natural disasters; and elevating homes above flood level. Click here to apply with GLO . If you were contacted by GLO to fill out an application and have questions, call 346-222-4686 or 1-866-317-1998, toll free.
NEW RENTAL RELIEF PROGRAM

Under Mayor Sylvester Turner's leadership, Houston City Council approved a rental program to aid individuals affected by COVID-19.
Rental relief fliers with details are available in six languages:

COVID RESOURCES

Housing & Community Development
Want to learn more about how COVID-19 is impacting us? Visit the City of Houston’s Housing and Community Development Department’s COVID-19 Resource Hub. Their interactive map will keep you updated on how Houston is staying strong and united.

Houston Health Department
Also, the latest issues of the Houston Health Department newsletters, with all current information, are available at Houston HealthScope .
CENSUS CHAT

Did you know that census data informs policymakers to direct federal funding for community services, like providing nutritious meals for those in need?

Exercise your civic duty and take the Census today for a better tomorrow! Your response helps provide the statistics needed to direct funding to what most benefits our communities. Visit my2020Census.gov or call 844-330-2020 and take the Census from the safety of your own home.
Community Updates
Stay up to date on all Complete Communities neighborhood action plans, activities, and accomplishments! Read more below about the 10 Complete Communities.
Acres Home
Barnett Stadium Free Testing Site
As COVID-19 restrictions ease, the United Memorial Medical Center (UMMC) increased their efforts to provide free COVID-19 testing to Houstonians. UMMC, a for-profit hospital based in Acres Home, is operating four sites in the Houston area, one of which is located at Barnett Stadium. This drive-through testing site is in proximity to vulnerable communities with testing gaps and some of Harris County's highest rates of confirmed COVID-19 cases. See https://www.ummcscreening.com/testing-locations . 
Alief/Westwood
District F Face Mask Distribution
Council Member Tiffany D. Thomas, with the collaboration of Alief ISD, Houston ISD, and community volunteers, gave away 5,000 masks to those in need. The mask distribution took place on Saturday, April 25, 2020, at two locations: Alief ISD Crump Stadium and Piney Point Elementary. Read more here: https://www.facebook.com/TiffanyForAlief .
Chinese-American Civic Leaders’ Donation
The Chinese-American Civic Leaders, along with the Southwest Management District, donated essential medical gear, cash and food on April 23 to show their support and gratitude for front-line healthcare providers treating COVID-19 patients at Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital. See interviews with City Controller Chris Brown and District J Council Member Ed Pollard here: https://vimeo.com/411289213   
Fort Bend Houston
Mask Up Fort Bend Houston
Christ Temple, the Peoples Church, with Fort Bend Super Neighborhood 41, Congressman Al Green, State Representative Ron Reynolds, Council Member Martha Castex-Tatum and Houston’s Food Bank, held a COVID-19 food and mask distribution on April 25. Hundreds of residents received food and masks.
Gulfton
District J Mask Distribution
Council Member Edward Pollard, the Mayor’s Office, Lions Club, Southwest Management District, Asian Chamber of Commerce, and private donors gave away 15,000 masks on April 28. The mask distribution took place at the PlazAmerica Mall, with the help of volunteers and District J staff. See J Mask Distribution: https://www.facebook.com/pollardforhouston .
SW Express Library
The Southwest Express Library was planning to provide more weekly programs and activities to all customers. Unfortunately, all Houston Public Library locations are temporarily closed to the public to decrease the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the community. The Houston Public Library is busy developing a variety of online programs and learning opportunities that will be available soon to the public. See www.houstonlibrary.org for digital services and online virtual programs.
Kashmere Gardens
COVID-19 Relief in Kashmere Gardens and Fifth Ward
The Black United Fund of Texas is a 501(c) 3 organization that was founded in 1987 and is focused on self-sufficiency programs in low income communities. It serves as an anchor for supporting and developing funding initiatives that facilitate the positive growth and development in underserved communities. In the organization’s efforts to provide COVID-19 relief for the Kashmere Gardens and Fifth Ward areas, it has sought funding opportunities through Houston LISC to support the 3-D printing of respirator masks and face shields. For more information about the Black United Fund of Texas, visit www.buftx.org , or follow them on Facebook at  www.facebook.com/buftx .

Seeds of the Soil
One of t he Black United Fund of Texas' programs, Seeds of the Soil, is an agricultural research farm that uses agriculture to teach STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). Currently, it is assessing the needs of food in these communities and giving fresh vegetables to families. Seeds of the Soil is also providing out-of-school enrichment related to gardening through online platforms. Follow the Seeds of the Soil program on Faceboo k at www.facebook.com/seedsofthesoil/ .

Be a Builder of Self Sufficiency
BOSS is another Black United Fund of Texas program, which is providing online entrepreneurship enrichment to youth. The program plans to utilize the 3-D printers for its entrepreneurship courses. These out-of-school enrichment programs are funded by the Harris County Department of Education’s City Connections grant. Interested p articipants can register at www.BOSStogether.org/registration .
Magnolia Park-Manchester
Free Drive-Thru COVID-19 Testing
Free testing is available at Houston Community College Southeast’s campus at 6815 Rustic Street. Testing is available from 9 am to 4 pm or until capacity is reached, with no pre-registration needed. Thank you to United Memorial Medical Center for providing this service to help keep our community safe!
Near Northside
Insta11ations
Insta11ations is an art project of the City of Houston Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs (MOCA) and Art League Houston, with funding made available through Houston Arts Alliance. This project is made up of 11 artists who create distinct art experiences in each council district. They will re-imagine public spaces through stories of social justice and equity. Near Northside's project site for District H is Irvington Park. See h ttps://insta11ations.com/ .
Second Ward
New Mural Coming to Second Ward
Work is underway on a new mural at 2219 Canal Street in Second Ward by artist GONZO247. The East End District, Frost Bank, CultureMap, and Triten Real Estate Partners are collaborating on this project to continue making Second Ward and the East End a great place for art! Check out the article at https://houston.culturemap.com/news/arts/04-21-20-frost-mural-east-end-gonzo247/ and stop by Canal and Navigation when it is finished.
Sunnyside
Mask & Meals Distribution
Council Member Carolyn Evans-Shabazz in collaboration with State Representative Shawn Thierry, Congressman Al Green, Senator Borris Miles, Commissioner Rodney Ellis, Council Member Martha Castex-Tatum, and several local faith and community leaders held several masks, gloves, and meal give-aways to those in need during the month of April. Follow @districtdhoustontx on Facebook or Instagram for event updates.
Third Ward
Rise Houston Church Provides Hand Washing Stations for Homeless Community
Residents were advised to quarantine in their homes to minimize the impact of COVID-19, but if you are homeless, protection from this pandemic may be nearly impossible. Rise Houston, a new church in Third Ward, is doing their part to help vulnerable residents by installing hand washing stations across Third Ward, as well as across Houston. For more information about the hand washing stations or to volunteer, visit Rise Houston Church .