[Housing and Affordability Committee on September 16, 2025]
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AND, UM, THEIR TEAM UPON ARRIVAL.
UM, AND, UM, FOR THOSE THAT ARE WATCHING ON HTV OR FACEBOOK LIVE, UH, THANK YOU FOR, UH, FOLLOWING THE HOUSING AND AFFORDABILITY COMMITTEE.
WE ALSO HAVE STAFF FROM COUNCIL MEMBER JACKSON'S OFFICE.
AND BEFORE I MOVE, UM, THROUGHOUT OUR AGENDA, UH, JUST A PERSONAL POINT OF PRIVILEGE, I JUST WANNA SHOUT OUT THE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENTS COMMUNICATIONS TEAM.
WE THANK YOU FOR, UH, UH, MAKING SURE THAT YOUR WORK IS PUBLIC FACING AND THAT THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS ABLE TO WATCH AND CONSUME THE REALLY GOOD WORK THAT YOU DO.
SO YOU HAVE ONE, UH, FAN FOLLOWING YOUR WORK.
UM, TODAY'S AGENDA IS PRETTY LIGHT.
WE DO HAVE, UM, UH, PRESENTATION FROM PUBLIC SERVICES PRESENTED BY, UH, DIRECTOR MIKE NICHOLS AND ASSISTANT DIRECTOR MELODY BARR MULTIFAMILY, UH, BY DIRECTOR, DEPUTY ASSISTANT DIRECTOR RYAN BIBBS WILL HAVE DIRECTOR'S COMMENTS.
AND AS OF TODAY, WE DO HAVE TWO PUBLIC COMMENTS, UH, PUBLIC SPEECHES, UH, FOR COMMENT.
DOMINIQUE MAZO AND DOUG SMITH, EACH SPEAKER WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES.
AT THIS TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE OUR DIRECTOR, MIKE NICHOLS, FOR HIM TO INTRODUCE HIS TEAM.
AND, AND DIRECTOR, BEFORE YOU GET STARTED, I, I WILL SAY THAT I DO HAVE, I HAVE A HARD STOP AT 10 54 AND 11:00 AM UM, AND, UM, IF WE ARE GOING OVER AT THIS TIME, I'LL DEFER TO OUR VICE CHAIR, UM, UPON HIS ARRIVAL.
AND IF NOT, I'LL DEFER TO COUNCIL MEMBER RAMIREZ TO CLERK THE REMAINING OF THE MEETING.
I THINK WE'LL GET THROUGH 10 50.
WE DO HAVE A LOT HAPPENING, WHICH YOU'LL SEE AS YOU WALK THROUGH THIS AS WE CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD ON OUR PUBLIC SERVICES.
WE CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD ON OUR PUBLIC SERVICES, AND WE WILL, UH, AND YOU'LL HEAR SOME ABOUT THE NEW PROGRAMS AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW PROGRAMS. UM, AND, AND I'LL, I'LL, I'LL DO A FOLLOW UP AT THE END AFTER WE DO PUBLIC SERVICES.
AGAIN, THE EXCITING THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON, WE'RE VERY CLOSE TO FILING OUR DR 24 WITH, UH, WITH HUD, AND THAT WILL BE, UH, BRING ON A MANY MORE DECISIONS.
UM, AND THEN WE'RE HOPING, UM, MADAM CHAIRMAN, THAT, UM, WE WILL HAVE A PRESENTATION FOR A JOINT QUALITY OF LIFE HOUSING COMMITTEE IN EARLY OCTOBER ON THE HOMELESSNESS ISSUE, MS. BARRETT.
SO I WILL BE PRESENTING ITEMS TWO ROMAN TWO PUBLIC SERVICES, AND WE'RE GONNA BEGIN WITH ITEM TWO A.
THE DEPARTMENT IS PRESENTING A SUB-RECIPIENT AGREEMENT WITH ACCESS CARE OF COASTAL TEXAS.
A-C-C-T-T DO PROVIDE UP TO $1,276,825 FOR FINANCING THE OPERATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF SERVICES TO A MINIMUM OF 149.
LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS AFFECTED BY, OR LIVING WITH AIDS SERVICES PROVIDE INCLUDE TENANT BASED RENTAL ASSISTANCE TO 59 HOUSEHOLDS, SHORT TERM RENT, MORTGAGE, AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE TO 70 HOUSEHOLDS, AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO ALL 149 HOUSEHOLDS, WHICH INCLUDE PERMANENT HOUSING PLACEMENT FOR 20 HOUSEHOLDS, HOUSING CASE MANAGEMENT, NUTRITIONAL AND TRANSPORTATION SERVICES.
A CCT HAS RECEIVED FUNDING FROM THE CITY OF HOUSTON SINCE 2006.
THE TERM OF THIS AGREEMENT IS ANTICIPATED TO RUN FROM NOVEMBER 1ST, 2025 THROUGH OCTOBER 31ST, 2026.
NO FINDINGS OR CONCERNS DURING THEIR LAST MONITORING PERIOD.
AND IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THIS PROGRAM IS LOCATED IN GALVESTON, TEXAS.
THE CITY OF HOUSTON'S HOPWA PROGRAM ADMINISTER FUNDS TO A NINE COUNTY REGION, WHICH INCLUDES AUSTIN, BRAZORIA, CHAMBERS, FORT BEND, GALVESTON, HARRIS, LIBERTY, MONTGOMERY, AND WALLER COUNTIES.
AND TODAY WE HAVE LESLIE SOMNER, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, AND KRISTEN ROWE, CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER HERE IN ATTENDANCE.
ALL RIGHT, I'LL CONTINUE ITEMS TWO B THAT THE, OR ITEM TWO B, THE DEPARTMENT IS PRESENTING A SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE SUB-RECIPIENT AGREEMENT WITH CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF GALVESTON HOUSTON, PROVIDING UP TO AN ADDITIONAL $150,000 IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS FOR THE OPERATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF AN EMPLOYMENT SERVICES PROGRAM, ASSISTING 100 AND AND 50 LOW TO MODERATE INCOME INDIVIDUALS IN THE HOUSTON AREA.
THE GOAL OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO HELP PARTICIPANTS INCREASE THEIR STABILITY AND OBTAIN THE RESOURCES THEY NEED TO SUCCESSFULLY GAIN AND MAINTAIN EMPLOYMENT.
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SERVICES MAY INCLUDE PROFESSIONAL SOFT SKILLS TRAINING TO PREPARE FOR JOB SEARCH AND READINESS, RESUME WRITING, APPLYING AND INTERVIEWING THE EMPLOYMENT SPECIALISTS, WORK WITH CLIENTS TO IDENTIFY TRAINING, CERTIFICATION AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS, REFERRALS, AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, ALONG WITH EMPLOYMENT SERVICES ARE THE CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES, WHICH INCLUDE ASSISTING CLIENTS STRENGTHS AND NEEDS, IDENTIFYING BARRIERS IN DEVELOPING A TAILORED SERVICE PLAN TO GUIDE EACH CLIENT TOWARDS THEIR EMPLOYMENT GOAL.CASE MANAGERS WORK WITH THE CLIENTS TO COMPLETE AND PROVIDE UNNECESSARY PAPERWORK TO DEVELOP A SERVICE PLAN WITH INDIVIDUAL GOALS AND OBJECTIVES.
LINK THEM TO OTHER NEEDED SERVICES, WHICH MAY INCLUDE HOUSING, FOOD, PANTRIES, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, AND ENGAGE IRREGULAR FOLLOW-UP REASSESSMENTS.
THESE REASSESSMENTS HAPPEN AT 30, 60, AND 90 DAYS.
CATHOLIC CHARITIES HAS RECEIVED FUNDING THROUGH VARIOUS AGREEMENTS WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON SINCE 2003.
THIS AMENDMENT WILL EXTEND THE TERM OF THE AGREEMENT FROM NOVEMBER 1ST, 2023 THROUGH THROUGH OCTOBER 31ST, 2026.
THE AGENCY HAS SURPASSED ITS GOAL OF SERVING 150 INDIVIDUALS LAST PROGRAM YEAR, AND THERE WERE NO FINDINGS OR CONCERNS DURING THEIR LAST MONITORING PERIOD.
TODAY WE HAVE ADRIAN EMMI, THE PROGRAM VICE PRESIDENT, REPRESENTING CATHOLIC CHARITIES, AS WELL AS LETICIA AGEN, THE JOB DEVELOPER.
THE DEPARTMENT IS PRESENTING A FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE SUB-RECIPIENT AGREEMENT WITH WESLEY COMMUNITY CENTER INCORPORATED, PROVIDING UP TO AN ADDITIONAL $125,000 IN CDBG FUNDS FOR THE ADMINISTRATION AND OPERATION OF AN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND OUT OF SCHOOL TIME PROGRAM FOR LOW TO MODERATE INCOME FAMILIES.
THIS PROGRAM WILL BE OPERATING OUT OF THE WESLEY DAY SCHOOL AND KURTZ EDUCATION RECREATION CENTER LOCATED IN THE NEAR NORTH SIDE.
THIS PROGRAM WILL SERVE A MINIMUM OF 25 UNDUPLICATED CHILDREN, WITH 13 BEING SERVICED THROUGH EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR INFANTS TO FOUR YEARS OF AGE, WHICH EVIDENCE-BASED CURRICULUM 12 SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN FROM KINDERGARTEN THROUGH AGE 12 WILL BE PROVIDED SERVICES THROUGH THE OUT OF SCHOOL TIME PROGRAM.
THIS PROGRAM OPERATES AFTER SCHOOL DURING THE SUMMER AND PROVIDING ACADEMIC SUPPORTS, HEALTHY LIFESTYLES, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING, AND ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES SUCH AS MUSIC, DANCE, AND ART, TO NAME A FEW.
IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT BOTH PROGRAMS PROVIDE WRAPAROUND SERVICES FOR PARENTS NEEDING ASSISTANCE THROUGH THE OTHER PROGRAMS THAT WESLEY OFFERS, SUCH AS FOOD, HOUSING ASSISTANCE, EMPLOYMENT SERVICE, FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, AND MORE.
THIS AMENDMENT WILL EXTEND THE TERM OF THE AGREEMENT FROM NOVEMBER 26TH, 2024 THROUGH OCTOBER 31ST, 2026.
WESLEY HAS RECEIVED FUNDING FROM THE CITY OF HOUSTON SINCE 2022 AND HAS NO FINDINGS AS OF JUNE OF THIS YEAR.
WESLEY SURPASSED THEIR ANNUAL GOAL OF SERVICE FOR THIS PROJECT.
TODAY WE HAVE EMILY BAHARI, SENIOR DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT, AND BONNIE ALBRIDGE, DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN AND NEEDS SERVICES IN THE AUDIENCE WITH US.
UM, THIS IS ANOTHER, UH, SECOND AMENDMENT TO A SUB-RECIPIENT AGREEMENT WITH WESLEY COMMUNITY CENTER, PROVIDING UP TO AN ADDITIONAL $250,000 IN CDBG FUNDS FOR THE OPERATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF EMPLOYMENT SERVICES PROGRAM, ASSISTING 225 LOW TO MODERATE INCOME INDIVIDUALS IN THE HOUSTON AREA.
THE GOAL OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO HELP PARTICIPANTS INCREASE THEIR STABILITY AND OBTAIN THE RESOURCES THEY NEED TO SUCCESSFULLY GAIN AND MAINTAIN EMPLOYMENT, EMPLOYABILITY, AND SOFT SKILL CLASSES, SUCH AS RESUME WRITING, INTERVIEWING, AND PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT, AS WELL AS FINANCIAL EDUCATION, WHICH INCLUDE BASIC BUDGETING, SAVINGS, AND CREDIT BUILDING, AND ASSISTING ENROLLING IN HEALTHCARE FOCUSED VOCATIONAL TRAINING COURSES SUCH AS CNA, CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANTS, PATIENT CARE TECHNICIAN, MEDICAL BILLING AND CODING, AS WELL AS ADVANCED BRIDGE CLASSES FOR HEALTHCARE CAREER TRACKS LIKE LVN, MEDICAL ASSISTANCE, STERILE PROCESSING, AND PHARMACY.
THIS AMENDMENT WILL EXTEND THE TERM OF THIS AGREEMENT FROM NOVEMBER 1ST, 2023 THROUGH NOVEMBER 30TH, 2026.
WESLEY HAS RECEIVED FUNDING AGAIN SINCE 2022, UM, AND AS OF JUNE, THEY ALSO SURPASSED THEIR ANNUAL GOAL FOR THIS PROJECT.
AND AGAIN, WE HAVE EMILY BAHARI, SENIOR DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT, AND BONNIE ALRICH, THE DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN YOUTH SERVICES IN THE AUDIENCE.
MOVING ON TO ITEM TWO E, THE DEPARTMENT'S PRESENTING A SUB-RECIPIENT AGREEMENT WITH EL CENTRO DE PROVIDING UP TO $1,500,001 AND HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONS WITH AIDS FUNDING A MINIMUM OF 93.
LOW TO MODERATE INCOME HOUSEHOLDS LIVING WITH HIV
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OR AIDS HOUSING ASSISTANCE WILL BE PROVIDED IN THE FORM OF TENANT-BASED RENTAL ASSISTANCE, WHICH IS A LONG-TERM RENT SUBSIDY, AS WELL AS SUPPORT SERVICES.THOSE SUPPORT SERVICES INCLUDE HOUSING CASE MANAGEMENT, MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SUPPORTS, AND OTHER SERVICES THAT WILL PROMOTE HOUSING STABILITY.
THE TERM OF THIS AGREEMENT WILL BEGIN ON THE DATE OF COUNTER SIGNATURE FOR THE CITY CONTROLLER UNTIL SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2026, WITH AN OPTION TO RENEW AT THE CITY'S DISCRETION.
EL CENTRO RECEIVED FUNDING FROM OUR DEPARTMENT IN 2007 AND IN 2011.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CLIENTS SERVED ON THIS AGREEMENT ARE CURRENTLY BEING SERVED WITH THE CONTRACT THAT WE HAVE WITH BREAD OF LIFE, AND THEY WILL TRANSITION OVER TO THE SUPPORTIVE CARE OF EL CENTRO DEON TODAY, AND I HOPE HE IS HERE.
WE HAVE JOE FUENTES, THE CHIEF INTEGRATION OFFICER.
DID HE MAKE IT? HE'S ON HIS WAY.
SO HE WILL BE HERE AND WE'LL HAVE A CHAT THEN.
UM, SO HE WILL BE HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS, UM, SOON.
AND OUR LAST ITEM THAT I'M PRESENTING TODAY IS ITEM DF, UM, THE DEPARTMENT'S PRESENTING A SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE SUBRECIPIENT AGREEMENT WITH THE WOMEN'S HOME, PROVIDING UP TO AN ADDITIONAL $250,000 IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS FOR THE OPERATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF PROGRAM SERVING APPROXIMATELY 480 WOMEN IN THE HOUSTON AREA.
THE PROGRAM SERVICES WILL ASSIST WOMEN PARTICIPANTS BY INCREASING STABILITY AND ACCESS TO RESOURCES NEEDED TO SUCCESSFULLY EXIT HOMELESSNESS SERVICES INCLUDE HEALTH COUNSELING, SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES, AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICES, INCLUDING VOCATIONAL ASSESSMENTS, ADULT BASIC EDUCATION, COMPUTER CLASSES, JOB SEARCH TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT REFERRALS TO HELP CLIENTS OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN EMPLOYMENT.
THIS AMENDMENT WILL EXTEND THE TERM OF THE AGREEMENT FROM NOVEMBER 1ST, 2023 THROUGH OCTOBER 31ST, 2026.
THE WOMEN'S HOME HAS RECEIVED FUNDING FROM THE CITY OF HOUSTON SINCE 2000, AND HAS NO FINDINGS AS OF JULY OF THIS YEAR.
THE WOMEN'S HOME HAS SERVED 95% OF THEIR ANNUAL SERVICE GOAL FOR THIS PROJECT, AND WE HAVE BETHANY FIELDS VICE PRESIDENT OF GRANTS AND EVALUATION HERE REPRESENTING THE WOMEN'S HOME.
AND THAT CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION FOR THIS PART.
GO AHEAD BEFORE YOU CAN CONCLUDE, DO THIS.
YEAH, BUT THAT'S GONNA BE A JUROR COMMENTS.
THAT WILL BE DONE AT HER COMMENT AT THE DIRECT WE YEAH.
WE'LL BE PRESENTING ONE MORE PROJECT DURING DIRECTOR'S COMMENTS.
WE DO HAVE, UH, ONE COUNCIL MEMBER IN THE QUEUE.
AND BEFORE WE MOVE TO QUESTIONS, I WOULD LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE OUR VICE CHAIR IN THE CHAMBERS COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ CA.
UM, OUR MAYOR PRO TIMM IS ALSO WATCHING ON HTV, HER CHIEF OF STAFF IS IN CHAMBERS, AND WE HAVE REPRESENTATION FROM COUNCIL MEMBER PECK'S OFFICE DISTRICT A COUNCIL MEMBER H COUNCIL MEMBER CASTILLO'S OFFICE, DISTRICT H COUNCIL MEMBER FLICKINGER OFFICE, DISTRICT EI THINK THAT'S IT.
MELODY, THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION.
JUST HAD A QUESTION ON TWO A AND TWO F UHHUH
SO BOTH OF THESE ARE HOPWA, UM, ITEMS AND, UH, PROVIDING DIFFERENT LEVELS OF FUNDING PER HOUSEHOLD.
UH, I UNDERSTAND THE SERVICES OFFERED MAY BE, MAY BE DIFFERENT FOR EACH, BUT COULD YOU WALK US THROUGH WHY, UM, UH, THE FIRST ITEM TWO A IS 8,500 PER HOUSEHOLD, AND THE THE SECOND ONE, TWO F IS, UH, 16,000 PER HOUSEHOLD.
CAN YOU JUST KIND OF WALK US THROUGH, OKAY, SO TWO F YOU MEAN, UM, THE WOMEN'S HOME? YES.
SO THE WOMEN'S HOME IS THE CDBG PROJECT, AND THAT $250,000 IS LEVERAGED AGAINST, UH, $1.4 MILLION FOR THE ENTIRE PROGRAM.
SO WE DON'T FUND THE ENTIRE PROGRAM.
UM, AND THEN ITEM TWO A WITH ACCESS CARE OF COASTAL TEXAS.
AND SO THAT'S A LITTLE BIT MORE EXPENSIVE.
THEY'RE DOING TENANT BASED RENTAL ASSISTANCE AS WELL AS SHORT TERM RENT, MORTGAGE UTILITY ASSISTANCE.
SO THEY OFFER DIRECT RENT TO CLIENTS.
NO OTHER QUESTIONS IN THE QUEUE.
UM, FOR YOU, UH, FOR PUBLIC SERVICES, SO WE CAN MOVE NEXT TO MULTI-FAMILY.
UM, AS YOU SEE THESE NUMBERS, THE, THERE'S MAGIC TO THEM.
AND THE MAGIC IS THAT MELODY BARR AND HER DEPARTMENT KNOW HOW TO SQUEEZE FEDERAL DOLLARS AND NOT LEAVE ANYTHING ON THE TABLE.
AND AGAIN, SOME OF THE WORK THAT YOU SAW WHERE SHE WAS HA SHE WAS REQUIRED TO MOVE SOME FUNDING TO EL CENTRO, TO CORAZON, IS ABOUT NOT LEAVING A DOLLAR ON THE TABLE.
AND BEFORE WE END PUBLIC SERVICES, I DO NOT WANT TO BE, I WANNA MAKE SURE
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THAT THIS GROUP KNOWS THAT FOLKS IN HCD RECOGNIZE THE BIG PROBLEMS THAT WE FACE HERE.THERE'S A SIGNIFICANT POVERTY PROBLEM THAT WE ALL KNOW ABOUT.
UM, BUT WHEN IT'S SHOWN IN THE, IN THE NEWSPAPERS AND IN STUDIES THAT WE HAVE, 21% OF THE POPULATION IS BELOW OF OUR POPULATIONS BELOW THE POVERTY LEVEL, THAT IS A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER.
ADD THAT TO THE MORE THAN 40% OF PEOPLE IN HARRIS COUNTY DON'T HAVE $400 ON AN EMERGENCY.
MAKING SURE EVERY ONE OF THESE FEDERAL DOLLARS GET TO HUMAN BEINGS IS SO IMPORTANT.
AND THE STAFF AT HCD RECOGNIZES IT, AND WE WISH WE COULD DO MORE.
THE DAYS WE FEEL LIKE IT'S, YOU KNOW, JUST DROPS ON THE SAND.
BUT IT IS HELPING A NUMBER OF PEOPLE, NOT ALL OF THEM, BUT A NUMBER OF PEOPLE NOW, DIRECTOR, THANK YOU FOR YOUR, UM, UH, COMMENTARY AND THEN ALSO TO THE AGENCIES THAT CONTINUE TO PARTNER WITH THE DEPARTMENT AND THE CITY TO EXECUTE THIS WORK.
UM, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS TO WORK WITH US.
AND IF I MAY JUST MAKE A REQUEST ON BEHALF OF MY COLLEAGUES, UH, MANY TIMES WE HAVE PUBLIC MEETINGS.
VICE CHAIR HAS TOWN HALLS THROUGHOUT THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBER CASTILLO HAS TOWN HALLS PUBLIC SESSION.
ALL OF THE WORK THAT YOU DO IS REALLY HELPFUL.
SO IF YOU CAN SEND THOSE PROGRAMS ONCE THEY ARE, THOSE CONTRACT EXTENSIONS ARE APPROVED BY COUNCIL, SO THE COUNCIL STAFF CAN HAVE THAT.
SO WE CAN MAKE SURE WE CAN REDIRECT, UM, HOUSTONIANS TO YOUR FRONT DOOR TO MAKE SURE THEY CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE JOB TRAINING, UH, RENTAL ASSISTANCE, WHAT HAVE YOU.
UM, 'CAUSE THESE ARE, UH, REMARKABLE PROGRAMS AND WE WANNA MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE HIGHLY UTILIZED.
IF POSSIBLE, WE'LL MOVE ON INTO A MULTIFAMILY AND RYAN BIBBS, WHO IS, UH, WILL TAKE THIS ON, UH, LOTS OF INTERESTING THINGS ARE HAPPENING AND, UH, REALLY DROPPING THE BUCKET OF WHAT'S GOING, UH, HAPPENING OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.
GOOD MORNING, CHAIR, CHAIR THOMAS, CO-CHAIR COUNCIL MEMBERS.
UH, THIS NEXT ITEM, UH, WE ARE RECORD THE MIC.
UH, THIS NEXT ITEM, WE ARE REQUESTING A LOAN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND IKE COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONS.
UH, IKE COMMUNITIES FOUNDATION IS A SUBSIDIARY OF IEX DEVELOPMENT, CONSTRUCTION AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT.
THIS AGREEMENT WILL PROVIDE 4 MILLION IN HOME PARTNERSHIP FUNDS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF RETREAT AT ESTHER, AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR SENIORS.
THIS PROJECT IS LOCATED IN THE ACRES HOME AREA AT THE CORNER OF WIT WHEATLEY STREET IN ESTHER DRIVE AT HOUSTON, TEXAS 7 7 0 8 8 IN COUNCIL DISTRICT B.
THIS PROPERTY WILL BE A NEW CONSTRUCTION OF 103 UNITS FOR SENIORS.
UH, THIS PROPERTY WILL HAVE MIXED USE INCOME, UH, EARNINGS SUCH AS 30% AMIS, 50% AMIS, AND 60% AREA MEET INCOME
THIS PROPERTY WILL PROVIDE AN ADDED SOURCE OF A NEW AFFORDABLE SENIOR HOUSING, WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY STIMULATE THE LOCAL ECONOMY AND CONTRIBUTE BACK TO THE ONGOING REVITALIZATION EFFORTS IN ACRES, ACRES, HOMES.
AFFORDABILITY PERIOD WILL BE FOR 20 YEARS AFTER THE COMPLETION OF THE CONSTRUCTION, A 1% ANNUAL INTEREST RATE WILL APPLY TO THE OUTSTANDING PRINCIPAL BALANCE.
THIS IS A CHART OF THE FUNDING STAT FOR THIS PROJECT.
YOU CAN SEE THE CITY OF HOUSTON'S INVESTMENT OF $4 MILLION, AS WELL AS OTHER SOURCES OF FUNDING, UH, NOT JUST THE FUND, UH, CITY'S FUNDING, UH, INVOLVED.
AND FOR THE TOTAL SOURCE OF FUNDING IS 27 MILLION, AS FOR THE TOTAL PROJECT COSTS.
AND HERE'S A CHART, UH, DISPLAYING THE, THE, UM, UNIT MIX.
YOU HAVE ONE BEDROOMS, TWO BEDROOMS. AND AGAIN, JUST REALLY WANTED TO, YOU KNOW, POINT OUT THAT THE 30%, 30% A MI IS GONNA BE 11 UNITS FOR 30 PERCENTERS, 29 UNITS FOR 50 PERCENTERS AND 63 UNITS, FIRST 60 PERCENTERS ON THIS PROJECT.
UH, THIS NEXT SLIDE IS JUST, UH, A MAP JUST SHOWING THE LOCATION OF THE, UH, PROJECT, UH, AN ACRE HOME, JUST TO GIVE EVERYONE A FEEL OF WHAT, WHAT REGION OF, OF TOWN THIS, THIS PROJECT WILL BE LOCATED IN.
HERE'S A RENDERING, UH, OF THE PROJECT.
THERE'S GONNA BE A FOUR STORY BUILDING, WHICH WILL INCLUDE A GENERATOR, WHICH IS GREAT, UH, TO MAINTAIN ESSENTIAL POWER AND LIGHTING.
THE DEVELOPER IEX GROUP IS A HOUSTON AND PORT ARTHUR BASE REAL ESTATE AND MANAGEMENT FIRM.
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UH, THEY JUST COMPLETED A REHAB FOR US, UH, CALLED W LEO O DANIELS.IT'S A SENIORS HUNDRED, UH, UNIT, UH, PROPERTY.
AND PREVIOUSLY THEY'VE, THEY'VE BUILT, UM, A PROJECT CALLED VILLAGE AT PO CENTER.
UH, WE SHOULD HAVE WITH A SIMPSON BALBOA REPRESENTING I TEX IN THE AUDIENCE WITH US TODAY.
I KNOW HE WAS PARKING, SO HE SHOULD BE ON, ON HIS WAY.
AND THAT CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION FOR THAT, THAT PROJECT.
UM, WE GO BACK TO PAGE 37 ON THE, UM, A MI BREAKDOWN.
CAN YOU JUST CLARIFY IF OUR RESTRICTED UNITS, ARE WE DOING A RESTRICTION BASED ON THE TOTAL NUMBER OF UNITS OR BY THE, UH, ONE BEDROOM, TWO BEDROOM? WE'RE RESTRICTING THE TOTAL.
THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR AND THANK YOU RYAN.
I MISSED THE NAME OF THE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY.
IT'S, UH, IT'S CALLED IEX IEX.
AS WE, AS WE GO THROUGH THESE, WOULD YOU BE KIND ENOUGH TO, UH, LET US KNOW THE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY? SURE.
UM, THE NEXT TWO ITEMS, I WAS JUST GONNA COMBINE 'EM CHAIR, IF THAT'S OKAY.
UM, WE HAVE TWO PROJECTS REQUESTING A RESOLUTION OF NO OBJECTION.
UM, IN ORDER TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE 4% HOUSING TAX CREDIT APPLICATION, UH, BOTH OF THESE PROJECTS ARE LOCATED IN THE ETJ EXTRATERRITORIAL JURISDICTION.
THE, UH, FIRST PROJECT IS LAFAYETTE VILLAGE APARTMENTS.
IT'S GONNA BE A REHAB OF 250 UNITS FOR FAMILIES AS CLOSEST TO DISTRICT E COUNCIL MEMBER MR. FLICKINGER, UH, WAS BUILT IN 2006.
THE NEXT PROPERTY IS IDLE WILD APARTMENTS.
IT'S A REHAB AS WELL OF 250 UNITS FOR FAMILIES AND IS CLOSEST TO DISTRICT B COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, MS. MS. JACKSON, UH, BUILT IN 2007.
UH, AND BOTH OF THESE PROJECTS WILL BE REHABBED BY A COMPANY CALLED RESOLUTION RESOLUTION COMPANIES.
THE, IN ORDER FOR THE DEVELOPER TO MOVE FORWARD, UH, PER THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 23 6 6 7 0 7 1, THE GOVERNING MUNICIPALITY OF WHERE THIS PROJECT IS LOCATED MUST HOLD A HEARING.
UH, THE HOUSING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDS A RESOLUTION OF NO OBJECTION FOR BOTH PROJECTS THAT WILL PRESERVE MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
AND, UH, HHCD RECOMMENDS A MOTION TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON OCTOBER THE 15TH, 2025 FOR THE 4% HOUSING TAX CREDIT RESOLUTION OF NO OBJECTION.
UM, I WANTED TO JUST MENTION THAT THIS IS A THREE STEP PROCESS AND, UH, THE FIRST STEP WILL ENTAIL A MOTION TO REQUEST A HEARING, WHICH WILL HAPPEN ON OCTOBER THE EIGHTH.
SECOND STEP IS TO HOLD A HEARING, WHICH WILL HAPPEN ON OCTOBER 15TH.
AND THEN THE THIRD STEP IS TO VOTE ON THE RESOLUTION, UH, FOR OCTOBER 22ND.
UH, AGAIN, THE DEVELOPERS IS, IS, UH, RESOLUTION COMPANIES.
THAT NAME OF THE DEVELOPER FOUNDED BY STEVE FORD, WHO HAS OVER 40 YEARS OF MULTI-FAMILY EXPERIENCE.
UH, THE COMPANIES HAS DEVELOPED OVER 10,000 MULTI-FAMILY UNITS IN TEXAS.
AND WE HAVE WILLIAM SCHULTZ WITH US TODAY, UH, REPRESENTING RESOLUTION COMPANIES.
THAT CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION.
NO OTHER QUESTIONS IN THE QUEUE.
I WANTED COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ TO, UH, BE IN THE CHAMBER JUST TO GIVE A, A SHOUT OUT TO THE MULTIFAMILY TEAM FOR THE TEJANO CENTER, THAT PROJECT THAT Y'ALL HAD.
I KNOW YOU'LL TALK ABOUT IT DIRECTOR, BUT IT WAS, I MEAN, IT'S A SIGHT TO SEE.
SO I I WANTED TO MAKE SURE HE WAS IN THE ROOM WHEN, WHEN Y'ALL HIGHLIGHT THAT PROJECT.
I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE THE COMMITTEE JUST A VERY SMALL DR 17 UPDATE AS WE ARE NEARING THE END OF OUR PROGRAM, UH, OF OUR FUNDING SOURCE, THE DR 17 GRANT, UH, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF OUR HA 2.0.
IF WE CAN PROCEED TO THE NEXT SLIDE.
THIS JUST GIVES THE, IF YOU CAN GO BACK, PLEASE.
AS PRESENTED LAST MONTH, WE WOULD LIKE TO GIVE THE, UH, COMMITTEE JUST AN UPDATE OF WHERE WE STAND WITH OUR CURRENT CONTRACT, AMENDMENT FOUR.
AND THEN WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO A PROPOSED AMENDMENT JUST TO EXTEND, UH, THE DEADLINES AND THE CLOSEOUT DEADLINES FOR OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, JUST FOR SOME CLOSEOUT ACTIVITIES AS WELL AS FOR MULTIFAMILY
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TO ENSURE WE CAN COMPLETE CLOSEOUT ACTIVITIES ALONG WITH CONSTRUCTION.AND THEN ALSO FOR BUYOUT ALONG WITH THE DEMOLITION AND THE CLOSEOUT ACTIVITIES.
SO THOSE TWO, UM, MULTIFAMILY AND BUYOUT WILL EXTEND INTO 2026.
WHICH PROJECTS IN MULTIFAMILY ARE, ARE, UM, IN THE REQUESTED EXTENSION? HOW MANY DO WE HAVE? ROUGHLY TWO.
ELIZABETH'S ALREADY UP, RIGHT? RIGHT.
SO WE'RE JUST DOING THE COM CLOSE OUT ON THE COMPLIANCE.
THE CONSTRUCTION IS DONE, IT'S JUST, YEAH, SURE, SURE, SURE.
BECAUSE I'M LIKE, I THOUGHT OUR PORTFOLIO WAS DONE.
AND THEN WITH BUYOUT, UM, THESE WERE THE, WITH THE, UM, MULTI-FAMILIES THAT WE WERE DOING THE DEMOLITION.
I KNOW A COUPLE OF THOSE HAVE ALREADY MOVED EXPEDITIOUSLY WITH THAT CONTRACT.
I THINK WE HAD ONE AND K TWO AND J AM I RIGHT ACCURATE ABOUT THAT? YES.
AND THEN ON THE NEXT SLIDE JUST GIVES YOU A SNAPSHOT OF WHERE WE STAND WITH OUR DRAW STANDINGS.
AND SO THIS IS AS OF YESTERDAY.
SO YOU CAN SEE WE ARE MOVING QUITE ALONG.
AS I MENTIONED LAST MONTH, UM, THE GLO HAS, WE HAVE RECEIVED, UM, WE HAVE RECEIVED PAYMENT REIMBURSEMENT FOR GLO FOR A LOT OF OUR PRIOR CONTRACT COSTS THAT WE HAVE BEEN NEGOTIATING WITH THE GLO FOR, FOR OUR HOPE PROGRAM RELATED TO PERSONNEL EXPENSES.
SO WE HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN THOSE PERSONNEL COSTS.
SO NOW WE ARE JUST ACTIVELY WORKING WITH GLO FOR SOME PRE-CONTRACT, UM, ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.
AND WE HOPE TO RECEIVE APPROVAL OF THOSE COSTS SOON.
SO WE ARE ACTIVELY WORKING WITH THE GLO, THEY HAVE BEEN A GOOD PARTNER OF OURS, AND WE ARE MOVING TOWARDS THE FINISH LINE.
THERE IS A LIGHT AT THE TUNNEL.
IT'S GETTING BRIGHTER AND BRIGHTER AND BRIGHTER.
YES, WE WILL DEFINITELY CELEBRATE AT THE CONCLUSION OF THIS GRANT.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? UM, NO.
I KNOW Y'ALL ARE PREPARED TO BRING AN UPDATE ON 2.0 YES.
I KNOW IT'S MOVING, MOVING QUICK.
ARE YOU GONNA DO, ARE YOU, WE HAVE ONE OTHER ITEM AND I CAN'T, THAT WAS NOT ON THE AGENDA, IS THAT CORRECT? CORRECT.
SO WE HAD ANOTHER ITEM THAT WAS NOT ON THE AGENDA.
IT'S THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, INSPIRING COMMUNITIES.
SOMETIMES THINGS, UM, OCCUR AND, UM, WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO MOVE REALLY FAST TO GET THIS FUNDING OUT.
SO THE DEPARTMENT IS GOING TO JUST DISCUSS ABOUT, UH, A SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT WITH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS INSPIRING COMMUNITIES.
THIS IS TO EXTEND AND PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL $250,000 IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS FOR THE ADMINISTRATION AND OPERATION OF THEIR HOUSING ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND READINESS TRAINING, OR AS IT'S COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS THE HEART JOB TRAINING PROGRAM.
AND THROUGH THIS AMENDMENT, THE HEART JOB TRAINING PROGRAM WILL PROVIDE SERVICES TO 45 TRAINEES WITH INTELLECTUAL AND OR DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.
INDIVIDUALS WILL RECEIVE SERVICES THROUGH THE VENDING MACHINE CONCESSIONS AND RETAIL JOB TRAINING PROGRAMS THROUGH HARTS RETAIL PROGRAM.
TRAINEES RECEIVE CLASSROOM AND HANDS-ON TRAINING AT AN ONSITE MOCK CVS STORE AND WORK A SIX WEEKS REVISED INTERNSHIP AT A LOCAL CVS STORE.
AND THIS AMENDMENT WILL EXTEND THE AGREEMENT FROM SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2023 THROUGH AUGUST 31ST, 2026.
HARD HAS RECEIVED FUNDING THROUGH THE CITY OF OF HOUSTON FOR VARIOUS CONTRACTS SINCE 2005.
AND THERE WERE NO FINDINGS NEAR ANNUAL COMPLIANCE AND MONITORING.
THE TERM OF THIS AGREEMENT WILL RUN THROUGH JANUARY 31ST.
THAT WAS AN EXTRA, UM, LINE IN HERE.
BUT WE HAVE JANET DEION YOUNG, WHO IS THE NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR HERE IN THE AUDIENCE.
SHE HAS BEEN WITH HART FOR ABOUT ONE MONTH.
AND I WILL JUST SAY THAT I'M SMILING BECAUSE HART WAS THE VERY FIRST PROJECT I EVER WORKED ON AT THE CITY OF HOUSTON WHEN I STARTED HERE ALMOST 20 YEARS AGO.
MELODY, CAN YOU SEND, UH, EACH OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS' INFORMATION ON WHAT YOU JUST PRESENTED? YES.
I WILL SEND SOME NOTES AND I WILL SEND, UM, THE COVER SHEET THAT WOULD'VE BEEN IN YOUR PACKAGE.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THIS ITEM.
ANY QUESTIONS BEFORE? NO, IT'S UP TO YOU.
DIRECTOR, CAN YOU TURN YOUR MIC ON PLEASE? THANK YOU.
UH, LET'S TALK ABOUT THE, UH, HA PROGRAM, JUST SO WE CAN GIVE YOU A BRIEF UPDATE.
UH, WE ARE IN FULL SWING WITH THE EMPLOYMENT OF BOTH OUR H-A-P-H-A 2.0 PROGRAM,
[00:30:01]
AS WELL AS THE DR 21 WINTER STORM URI HOME REPAIR PROGRAM.UM, AS OF, AS MOST RECENTLY, OUR SINGLE FAMILY TEAM HAS MADE SIGNIFICANT HEADWAY WITH HA 2.0 APPLICATIONS.
CEDRIC LISSE, WHO HAS HIS, WHO HAS THE MOST UPTODATE NUMBERS.
THE ONE I HAVE CEDRIC IS THAT AS OF RECENTLY, UM, WE HAVE OVER A HUNDRED ACTIVELY OPEN FILES AND A GOAL OF 250 APPROVALS.
BUT SINCE YOU'RE THE MAN WHO WHO WATCHES THIS EVERY HOUR, I'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU.
UH, SO AS OF RIGHT NOW WE HAVE A PIPELINE OF 108 THAT IS IN ELIGIBILITY.
WE HAVE 318 FILES THAT HAVE, OR APPLICATIONS THAT ARE IN THE PROCESS THAT ARE 38 APPROVALS FROM THE GLO.
AND, UH, WE HAVE TWO THAT ARE PENDING APPROVAL.
UH, CURRENTLY THERE ARE, IF YOU WANT TO BREAK DOWN FOR LMI, IT'S ABOUT 25, UH, FOR L UH, LMI.
AND, UH, THE UN IS FOR, UH, EIGHT.
SO WE ARE, WE HAVE A ROBUST PIPELINE.
UM, WE LOOK TO HAVE EVERYBODY APPROVED, UH, BY THE END OF THIS YEAR, 25 LMI.
WHICH ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? 80% A MI, THE, THE PHASE ONE? YES.
AND THEN PHASE TWO IS LIKE 80%.
AND IS THIS FOR REPAIR OR FOR REIMBURSEMENT? THIS IS, NO, THIS IS FOR HA 2.0.
I THOUGHT YOU WERE SAYING DR 21.
UM, FOR WINTER STORM, UH, URI, WE HAVE 215 APPLICATIONS THAT'S IN THE PIPELINE.
UH, WE ARE STILL HAVING SOME CHALLENGES WITH TITLE.
UH, MAKING SOME EXCEPTIONS TO WORK AROUND TITLE WHERE, UM, HOMEOWNERS CAN PROVIDE AFFIDAVITS.
UH, WE DO HAVE A PROCESS THAT WE ARE WORKING THROUGH, UH, TO GET MORE APPROVED.
YEAH, I, AND, UM, WHEN, UH, DEPUTY DIRECTOR'S TALKING ABOUT, UH, TITLE, UM, HE'S TALKING ABOUT HEIRS.
SO IF YOU ARE LIVING A GENERATIONAL HOME, IF YOU IN, YOU KNOW, INHERITED YOUR UNCLE'S HOME, UM, HUD FUNDING, PARTICULARLY CDBG, DR FUNDS, YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO, UH, PARTICIPATE IN RECOVERY PROGRAMS. SO YOU MAY BE LIVING IN GRANDMA'S HOUSE AND YOU'VE PAID THE TAXES, YOU'VE DONE ALL OF THAT WORK, AND THEN, YOU KNOW, DISASTER COMES, YOU'RE NOT ELIGIBLE.
SO THE CITY, UH, LOCALLY IS, IS MOVING FORWARD, UM, WITH THE CREATING A PATHWAY, WHICH WAS DONE DURING HARVEY AS WELL.
UM, AND A LOT, I KNOW A LOT OF THAT FUNDING WAS CUT WHEN THE ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS WERE CUT.
UM, AND THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF WORK THE DEPARTMENT HAS DONE TO CREATE PATHWAYS FOR THOSE WITH GENERATIONAL HOMES TO PARTICIPATE IN FEDERAL FUNDING.
UM, SO THANK YOU FOR HIGHLIGHTING THAT.
AND THEN IF THERE'S ANY GUIDANCE YOU CAN PROVIDE TO COUNCIL OFFICES, PARTICULARLY AROUND THAT, UM, TO HELP GET THAT ON THE STREET SO THEY CAN WORK THOSE PROCESS.
'CAUSE I HAD A QUESTION, AND I KNOW OUR VICE CHAIR IS IN THE, IS IN THE QUEUE AS WELL.
UM, UH, UM, THESE ARE FEDERAL APPLICATIONS, WHICH TAKES A LOT OF TIME.
UM, UM, IT'S SO IT'S CAN BE CUMBERSOME.
UM, IF SOMEONE WAS TO APPROACH THE OFFICE, DO Y'ALL HAVE STAFF READILY AND AVAILABLE TO WALK THEM THROUGH? ABSOLUTELY.
SO I THINK IF WE CAN TO, TO DO THAT AS SOMEONE THAT'S HAD TO DO THIS FOR MY DADDY
UM, AND SO THEY CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS FUNDING BECAUSE IT'S ONLY $50 MILLION FOR D 21 AND THAT'S GONNA MOVE JUST LIKE THAT.
UH, APPRECIATE THE EXPLANATION BECAUSE I THINK THAT'S SO NECESSARY FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE TO HEAR THE WAY THAT THE PROCESS WORKS AND SO THAT PEOPLE GET, GET CLARITY, UH, BEFORE THE APPLICATION PROCESS PROCEEDS.
YOU INDICATED GLO WAS APPROVING HOW MANY, SO WE HAVE 38 THAT ARE APPROVED.
SO THAT'S FOR HOME BUYERS, RIGHT? THAT'S THE 2.0.
AND THEY APPROVED HOW MANY 38 ARE APPROVED? SO WE HAVE, UM, WE HAVE, UH, HONED THE PROCESS TO WHERE WE ARE GETTING SUBMISSIONS.
UH, WE SUBMIT EVERY DAY, UM, UH, BEFORE FOUR O'CLOCK.
AND GENERALLY BY THE NEXT DAY, UH, BY THE AFTERNOON, THEY ARE APPROVED.
AND JUST TO CLARIFY, HBA 2.0 IS USING DR 17 FUNDS? THAT'S CORRECT.
AND FOR THAT REASON, RIGHT? JLO'S INVOLVED.
AND I APPRECIATE YOU EXPLAINING THE, YOU KNOW, WHERE THAT CONFUSION CAN SOMETIMES HAPPEN.
[00:35:01]
UM, HISTORICALLY, UH, WELL FROM MY EXPERIENCE, IT WAS, YOU KNOW, FOLKS HAD A LIEN ON THEIR PROPERTY AND THEY WERE SCARED, RIGHT? AND SO, UM, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS HORSESHOE DEFINITELY HAS A REALLY GOOD UNDERSTANDING.BUT THEN ALSO, UM, AS WE'RE SPEAKING OUT TO THE COMMUNITY, THERE'S ALWAYS, IF THERE'S STAFF THAT CAN ALSO SPEAK TO IT FROM, UH, HOUSING, UH, THERE'S SEVERAL FOLKS THAT JUST, THEY WERE SO CONFUSED AND THEY WERE SCARED THAT THEY JUST DECIDED NOT TO PARTICIPATE, WHICH WAS UNFORTUNATE.
SO, UM, DEFINITELY WANNA JUST ELEVATE THAT CONVERSATION A BIT MORE.
SO, SO ONE OF THE THINGS I WOULD ASK IS THAT ALL THE COUNCIL MEMBERS, IF THEY COULD PUT IT OUT IN THEIR NEWSLETTERS THAT GO OUT, UH, TO LET HOMEOWNERS KNOW THAT WE ARE WORKING WITH THEM, UH, THAT MAY POTENTIALLY HAVE TITLE ISSUES.
UM, WE HAVE A ROBUST STAFF THAT WE ARE HELPING IN ANY WAY THAT WE CAN TO GET THEM THROUGH THE PROCESS.
AND YEAH, AND, AND WHATEVER GUIDANCE AND A LANGUAGE SO WE DON'T HAVE TO MAKE IT UP AND WHATEVER WE CAN HYPERLINK AND ATTACH, ALLOW US TO DO THAT.
SO WE'RE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE.
AND I WILL ADD THAT THE REALIST, UM, THEY ACTUALLY RECEIVED SOME GRANT FUNDING TO DO TITLE CLEARANCE.
AND SO I THINK THAT'S A REALLY GOOD THING TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF US HAVE ACCESS TO THAT AS WELL.
THEY HAVE THE ATTORNEYS, THEY HAVE ALL OF THAT.
SO ANY DOCUMENTS, ANY PRE-APPLICATION STUFF THAT THEY NEED TO DO, IF YOU GET THAT TO THE OFFICES OR THE COMMITTEE, AND WE'LL BLITZ IT OUT BECAUSE THERE'S SO MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE UNDER THE IMPRESSION BECAUSE WE, WE CASH THEIR CHECK WHEN IT'S TIME FOR PROPERTY TAXES, RIGHT?
BUT THEN WHEN IT'S TIME FOR THEM TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE FUNDING THAT WE PUSH OUT, THEY CAN'T.
AND, UM, SOMETIMES THE APPLICATIONS CAN BE BE CUMBERSOME.
SO ANY WAY THAT WE CAN GET THIS TO THE STREET AND SUPPORT THE WORK THAT Y'ALL ARE DOING AT THE DEPARTMENT, ALLOW US THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO.
UH, ALSO, ANY ELDERLY OR DISABLED HOMEOWNERS THAT ARE OUT THERE FOR WINTER STORM MUY, WE WILL SEND A, UM, INTAKE COUNSELOR OUT TO HELP THEM WITH THE PROCESS.
SO DON'T LET THAT DETER THEM FROM APPLYING FOR THE PROGRAM.
WE ARE, WE ARE DEEPLY APPRECIATIVE.
THANK, UM, MADAM CHAIRWOMAN, THANK YOU FOR THE COMMENTS ABOUT SOCIAL MEDIA, BUT WE REALLY RELY ON COUNCIL AND STAFF TO GET THESE PROGRAMS OUT.
UM, THIS WEEK I BELIEVE WE SENT SOME MATERIAL ON A, UH, UH, A REHAB NOFA.
UM, BUT AGAIN, IT'S SO IMPORTANT THAT YOU GET THIS MATERIAL AND THEN GET IT OUT TO THE RIGHT CONSTITUENTS.
AND WE DEEPLY APPRECIATE YOUR WORK.
WE KNOW IT'S A, AN EXTRA EFFORT, BUT IT'S DEEPLY APPRECIATED.
SO I'LL LET DO THE LAST OVERVIEW, WHICH, UH, LET GO TO THE SLIDE THAT READS OST LOFTS, I THINK.
AND THE LAST TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9TH, THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND ITS PARTNERS CELEBRATE THE RIBBON CUTTING, RIBBON CUTTING OF THE OLD SPANISH TRAIL SOUTH UNION COMMUNITY.
UH, THE GRAND OPENING ENTAILED NOT ONE BUT TWO RIBBON CUTTINGS, ONE FOR THE APARTMENTS AND ANOTHER FOR THE ON SITE RYSS ACADEMY.
THE CITY INVESTED $19.3 MILLION OF CDBG DISASTER 17 FUNDS.
AND THAT COMMUNITY IS A HUNDRED PERCENT OCCUPIED.
UM, IT'S, IT'S, IT'S A, IT IS A GREAT FACILITY.
AND AGAIN, I WANNA SHOUT OUT TO OUR PARTNERS, UM, WHO REALLY MAKE THIS HAPPEN.
UH, T-D-H-C-A ON THE STATE LEVEL, UH, OFTEN WORKING WITH THE COUNTY HOUSING DEPARTMENT, UH, OFTEN WORKING WITH THE HOUSTON HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION.
UH, IT IS A JOINT EFFORT TO GET SOMETHING LIKE THIS BUILT, SO THANK YOU.
I, I WANNA A PAUSE FOR COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ.
I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT HE, UH, WAS ABLE TO TALK ABOUT, UH, WHAT I WAS CHEERING ON SOCIAL MEDIA ABOUT COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ.
UM, YEAH, NO, UH, THIS IS JUST A GREAT PROJECT.
WE APPRECIATE, UH, THIS ADMINISTRATION PICKING UP WHERE WE LEFT OFF LAST ADMINISTRATION.
UH, THIS WAS PERSONAL TO ME BECAUSE I WAS ON THE BOARD FOR THE HO CENTER.
UH, AND SO TO BE ABLE TO SEE THIS FULLY OCCUPIED, SEE RISE, UH, THE EARLY CHILDHOOD, UH, CENTER, ALSO FLOURISHING, UH, WE GOT TO TALK TO THE YOUNG KIDS.
AND SO I JUST APPRECIATE EVERYBODY, DERRICK, YOU KNOW, UM, YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY THAT, THAT'S BEEN A PART OF THIS, UH, JUST, JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT WE FULFILLED OUR, OUR, UH, COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITIES OF THAT EAST SOUTHEAST PART OF HOUSTON.
UM, AND THEN ALSO JUST A QUICK PLUG, JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE CONTINUE THE SAME, UH, FORMAT WITH, UH, THE, UH, ANDOVER LOFTS, WHICH IS A SIMILAR FORMAT.
WE, WE ARE LOOKING AT A MEETING WITH, UH, HARRIS COUNTY HOUSING AS WELL.
THEY'RE INTERESTED IN TRYING TO IDENTIFY SOME OF THAT GAP FUNDING.
SO JUST WANNA SAY THANK YOU TO, OF COURSE, THIS BODY FOR CONTINUING TO SUPPORT, UH, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, UM, WORKFORCE HOUSING, AND THEN ALSO TO YOUR TEAM DIRECTOR FOR ALL THE WORK Y'ALL CONTINUE TO DO.
I I, I DO WISH THE PUBLIC WOULD UNDERSTAND THAT WHEN YOU DO A PROJECT LIKE THIS AND IT GOES THROUGH MULTIPLE MAYORAL
[00:40:01]
ADMINISTRATIONS COUNCIL MEMBERS, UM, IT IS, IT SAYS SOMETHING GREAT ABOUT YOUR CITY EMPLOYEES WHO STICK WITH THESE PROJECTS AND GET THEM THROUGH.AND IT'S NOT ABOUT THE HEROICS, IT'S ABOUT GETTING HUMAN BEINGS IN UNITS.
AND I WISH THE PUBLIC WOULD UNDERSTAND.
AND, AND JUST, IF I CAN JUST ADD MY T MY NICKEL AND DIME, WE'VE SEEN THE EVOLUTION OF OUR NINE PERCENTS, RIGHT? THERE'S JUST NO LONGER THESE TRADITIONAL MULTI-FAMILY PROJECTS, BUT NOW WE'RE ADDING THE EDUCATIONAL PIECE.
WE'RE REALLY INTENTIONAL ABOUT SENIORS.
I THINK IT SPEAKS TO THE INNOVATION IN THE DEPARTMENT, THE DEMAND OF COUNCIL MEMBERS, BRINGING THAT PERSPECTIVE TO THE TABLE, AND THEN DEVELOPERS WHO ARE WILLING, AND NONPROFITS WHO ARE WILLING TO PARTNER WITH DEVELOPERS WHO HAVE A, A PULSE IN THE DISTRICT WHO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THEIR COMMUNITY NEEDS.
AND, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU HAVE A STRONG DEVELOPER AND THEN A NONPROFIT LIKE THE TEJANO CENTER IN COMMUNITY, YOU KNOW, THAT'S LIKE THE BEST MIX.
AND SO I JUST THANK THE DEPARTMENT FOR LISTENING TO COUNCIL MEMBERS SAYING, WE NEED TO DO MORE THIS WAY.
AND ACTUALLY PROVIDING OPTIONS FOR US TO, UM, YOU KNOW, UNANIMOUSLY VOTE ON IN SUCCESS.
AND THEN TO SEE THAT I SAW IT ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND I WAS GO, GO, GO.
UM, SO KUDOS TO EVERYONE INVOLVED, FOR SURE.
UH, TO, TO JUST TO, UM, TELL YOU ABOUT ONE EVENT THIS WEEK BEFORE I GO ON.
UM, I HAD A DREAM COME TRUE THIS WEEK WHERE THE ADMINISTRATION SET UP MEETINGS WITH THE MAJOR HOSPITALS IN TOWN TO TALK ABOUT HOUSING.
AND I'M A BIG BELIEVER THAT HOW HEALTHCARE IS HOUSING AND IT'S JUST, IT'S, YOU CANNOT SEPARATE IT.
AND TO HAVE THOSE HOSPITALS IN ONE ROOM, ALL THE GOVERNMENT RELATIONS PEOPLE, ALL THE PEOPLE WHO ARE LOOKING AT EFFICIENCIES IN THE HOSPITAL AND BEGIN EXPLAINING THIS CONCEPT AND THOUGHT AND BEGIN THINKING ABOUT HOW THE HOSPITALS CAN MOVE THEIR DOLLARS FROM THE EXPENSIVE EMERGENCY ROOM INTO HOUSING IS VERY EXCITING.
HOW CAN IT HAPPEN IF IT'S GONNA HAPPEN? BUT WE CERTAINLY HAD A BIG START IN DOING THAT, SO THAT'S VERY EXCITING.
UH, JUST TO MOVE THROUGH QUICKLY, THE OTHER PROJECTS THAT ARE IN EMPLOY, UH, IN UPDATING, UM, THE RUSHMORE APARTMENTS, UH, ON HIGHWAY SIX IN, OUT, RIGHT OUT, I THINK IT'S OUTSIDE OF DISTRICT G.
UM, IT'S 34% COMPLETED, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO THAT BEING COMPLETED.
UH, THE NEXT ONE IS THE, EXCUSE ME, UM, IS THE NEW HOPE HOUSING ON AVENUE C.
UH, AGAIN, 60% COMPLETED WITH OUR PARTNERS IN NEW HOPE.
AND AGAIN, HEAVILY, UH, WEIGHTED TOWARD 30 TO 60% A MI WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THIS COMING ONLINE.
UH, THE OST LOFTS, UM, WE TALKED ABOUT EARLIER, THAT'S THE ONE THAT'S A HUNDRED PERCENT COMPLETED.
UH, THE SUMMIT AT RENAISSANCE PARK IN GREENS POINT, SOMETHING WE'VE BEEN WAITING AND WAITING AND WAITING ON IT IS 96% COMPLETED.
I'D LIKE TO BE AT THAT PARTY ALSO.
UM, AGAIN, 166 UNITS, 30 TO 60% A MIA GREAT NEED FOR THAT COMMUNITY.
UH, RICHMOND SENIOR VILLAGE, THAT, THAT HAS ALSO COMPLETED 125 UNITS, UH, 30 TO 80% A MI, UH, THAT WAS $15 MILLION OF DR 17.
UM, AGAIN, IT TAKES A LONG TIME TO GET THIS DONE, MAYBE TOO LONG.
THERE'S A LOT OF FRUSTRATION IN THAT, BUT, UH, WE APPRECIATE YOUR WORKING WITH US AND THE PUBLIC HAVING THE PATIENCE BECAUSE WHEN THESE FACILITIES OPEN AND THE HUMAN BEINGS IN THERE, AND THEY HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO CALL HOME, IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT WORK THAT WE DO.
WE JUST HAVE TO DO A LOT MORE OF IT AND DO A LOT MORE QUICKLY.
UM, AGAIN, WE HOPE WE APPRECIATE THE CONNECTION IN THE COMMUNITY, AND WE CONTINUE TO HAVE OUR OFFICE HOURS EVERY WEDNESDAY FROM ONE TO FOUR.
UM, THIS DEPARTMENT RELIES HEAVILY ON YOU IN THIS ROOM TO WORK WITH US TO GET TO UNDERSTAND, TO ASK HARD QUESTIONS.
AND WE ARE DEEPLY APPRECIATIVE OF ALL OF YOUR EFFORTS.
WE HAVE NO OTHER, UH, QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS IN THE QUEUE.
VICE CHAIR, YOU READY TO CLOSE US OUT, MADAM? THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.
BEFORE WE AJO, I JUST WANNA RECOMMEND, UM, REMIND EVERYONE THAT OUR NEXT HOUSING AND AFFORDABILITY COMMITTEE WILL BE MEETING ON OCTOBER THE 21ST AT 10:00 AM UH, THE DISTRICT F OFFICE, OUR CHAIR, UH, WILL BE SENDING OUT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND, UH, AGAIN, WE, UH, THAT WOULD, UH, AT THAT POINT OF JOIN US.
AND, UM, VICE CHAIR, I, I'M SORRY.
WE DO HAVE DOUG SMITH IN THE AUDIENCE FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS, AND WE KNOW THAT IT WOULD NOT BE A HOUSING COMMITTEE MEETING WITHOUT I
[00:45:01]
DUG.UH, YOU WEREN'T HERE LAST MONTH, UH, BUT WE HAD A DISCUSSION AND I, ONE OF THE REASONS I CAME TODAY, BECAUSE I THOUGHT WE MIGHT HAVE A SPECIAL REPORT, UH, WHEN YOU LOOK AT ALL OF THE VARIOUS, UH, UH, ORGANIZATIONS THAT THEY, UH, ALLOCATE MONEY TO, AND THERE WERE PROBABLY EIGHT OF THEM TODAY, AND LAST WEEK OR LAST MONTH, THERE WERE 15, I THINK.
AND, UH, I SUGGESTED MAYBE IT WOULD BE, AND THEY SAID THEY HAD, UH, THEY WERE GONNA DO A REPORT, BUT THESE ORGANIZATIONS, SOME OF THEM DO THE SAME THING.
AND I THINK IT WOULD BE VERY GOOD TO HAVE AN EVALUATION OF THE WORK THEY DO, SO THAT PERHAPS MONEY FROM ONE ORGANIZATION THAT DOESN'T DO AS WELL AS ONE OF THE OTHERS CAN BE MOVED TO THE ONE THAT REALLY DOES THE GOOD WORK.
AND, UH, WE DIDN'T HAVE A REPORT THIS MONTH, BUT I THINK THEY ARE PREPARED TO DO ONE.
AND I WOULD JUST LIKE TO ASK, UH, TO POSSIBLY SEE THAT SOON.
UM, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING IT UP.
AND, UM, I, I'M, ALTHOUGH THERE MAY NOT BE A REPORT RIGHT NOW, I KNOW IN PRACTICE THE DEPARTMENT DOES THAT, UM, PERIODICALLY THERE'S BEEN TIMES WHERE AGENCIES HAVE MET CHALLENGES INTERNALLY.
UM, AND THE DEPARTMENT HAS HAD TO PIVOT THOSE CONTRACTS TO AGENCIES THAT HAD CAPACITY FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS.
AND THOSE ITEMS HAVE COME BACK TO COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE THROUGH, UM, A NEW AMENDMENTS OR A NEW AUTHORIZATION.
SOMETIMES THEY'RE PRESENTED AT CO AT THE COMMITTEE.
SOMETIMES IT MAKES IT JUST TO THE COUNCIL.
SO AS A PRACTICE, THE, THE DEPARTMENT DOES DO THAT.
UM, UM, AS NOTED IN THEIR COMPLIANCE WHEN THEY DO THAT TYPE OF WORK WITH, UH, COMPLIANCE AND, AND MAKING SURE, BUT I DO THINK IT'S A GOOD EXERCISE TO KIND OF PERHAPS DOCUMENT THEIR SOP ON HOW THEY DO THAT.
SO, UM, THE PUBLIC HAS BETTER INFORMATION ON WHEN AN AGENCY IS UNABLE TO MEET OUR THRESHOLD, HOW THE DEPARTMENT PIVOTS SO WE CAN BECOME EFFICIENT AND NOT INTERRUPT SERVICES.
SO I WILL DEFINITELY MAKE A NOTE, UH, TO CIRCLE BACK SO WE CAN GET YOU THAT SPECIAL REPORT.
THE OTHER COMMENT THAT I THOUGHT ABOUT, I'M TALKING ABOUT A LOT OF GOVERNMENT FUNDS AND I WONDERED IF THERE'S ANY DISCUSSION ABOUT THOSE.
I MEAN, WE HEAR A LOT OF GOVERNMENT FUNDS BEING CUT.
ARE THERE CONCERNS ABOUT THAT HAPPENING TO ALL OF THESE PROGRAMS THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH? ABSOLUTELY.
AND I BELIEVE THE DIRECTOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO MENTIONED OUR HUD ANNUAL ACTION PLAN AND THAT ALLOTMENT WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED, UM, ANY ADDITIONAL FUNDS.
UM, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT TO YOUR POINT, UM, UM, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR BIBS MENTIONED THOSE FOUR PERCENTS IN THOSE HOME FUND INVESTMENTS.
THERE IS CONVERSATION, UM, FROM THE FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION OF EITHER REDUCING OR ZEROING OUT HOME FUNDS, WHICH IS CRITICAL TO HOW WE INVEST IN THOSE TYPE OF REHAB AND AFFORDABILITY PROJECTS IN THE CITY, WHICH IS REALLY, UM, HOW WE'RE ABLE TO DO THAT.
UM, SO I, I DO BELIEVE THAT, UM, THE DEPARTMENT IS WORKING WITH, UM, THEIR GOVERNMENT RELATIONS TEAM AND THEIR LEGISLATIVE PARTNERS TO SEE HOW THEY'RE ABLE TO PIVOT IN THE FUTURE.
AND THEY'LL PRESENT THAT INFORMATION ONCE THEY HAVE ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE.
I THOUGHT WE WAS GONNA SEE NOW WE GOT IT STARTED.
AND DOUG, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT POINT UP.
WE DO, UH, WE DO FEAR A LOSS OF FUNDING FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, WHICH MADE STOP FOR TRUMP COUNCIL MEMBER THOMAS' AMENDMENT ON THE DR 24 FUNDING, ALL THE MORE IMPORTANT.
AND SO I'M GLAD YOU BROUGHT THAT UP.
VICE CHAIR, IF YOU WANNA CLOSE THIS OUT AGAIN OR JUST REMIND EVERYBODY, WE DONE