Houston City Council today voted to submit Mayor Whitmire’s disaster recovery plan for 2024’s Hurricane Beryl and the Derecho to the federal government. The following statements in reaction to the vote are from local housing advocates and community organizations who played a key role in securing $100 million dedicated to housing in this disaster recovery plan.

Synnachia McQueen, Houston resident and TOP Harris County member:

“As a longtime leader with TOP, I care deeply about the long-term recovery and resilience of our communities. It was intensive community organizing from TOP and our Houston housing justice allies West Street Recovery, Texas Housers, Texas Appleseed, Northeast Action Collective, Union of Concerned Scientists and the Coalition for the Environment, Equity and Resilience, that made this $100 million allocated for housing repairs possible in the City’s final disaster recovery funding plan.

“Houston residents loudly and consistently spoke up on this matter, reminding our city elected leaders that we as community members wouldn’t accept zero dollars allocated toward housing that was in the initial disaster recovery plan. It was truly grassroots organizing and Council champions that secured this $100 million win.

“Directly-impacted Houstonians like myself will continue to have our voices heard to ensure accountability and transparency on how these now-passed disaster recovery funding dollars will be spent.”

Julia Orduña, southeast Texas regional director, Texas Housers: 

“Disaster Recovery funds were allocated directly to the City of Houston to respond to the community’s inability to recover. When the Action Plan was released, we saw the gap in the recovery process and programs to be administered, we participated in the public engagement process, and the government responded to the community’s concern. 

“We hear about roofs still tarped and elevators still broken at senior facilities. That $100 million will truly support needs across single-family and multi-family housing that have not attained stability post-disaster.” 

Stephany Valdez, Water Justice Organizer, Coalition for Environment, Equity, and Resilience: 

“Houstonians made it clear: we deserve more disaster recovery dollars.

“The original plan allocated $0 for housing despite tremendous need. Houstonians—-our neighbors, organizers, and advocates—fought until $100 million was secured for housing and home repairs. 

“The Coalition for the Environment, Equity and Resilience will keep standing with communities to make sure every dollar delivers real repairs, restores dignity, and builds a safer future for us all.”

Madison Sloan, Disaster Recovery and Fair Housing Project Director, Texas Appleseed:

“These are critical resources for housing recovery in Houston –  particularly now, when federal funding for both housing and disaster recovery are under threat. Texas Appleseed is proud to support the families and communities who fought for what they need to recover and to mitigate the impact of the next disaster.” 

Zoe Middleton, Associate Director for Just Climate Resilience, Union of Concerned Scientists: 

“Zero dollars spent on housing was always unacceptable and the proposed $50 million was always insufficient. Repairing, preserving, and creating resilient affordable housing is a non-negotiable in disaster recovery. As Houstonians face increasingly extreme weather, a fickle insurance market and an affordable housing shortage, this hard won $100 million in housing funding will throw storm survivors a lifeline.”

Doris Brown, NAC organizer and disaster survivor: 

“This victory shows the power of community, the power of a clear vision and the power of never giving up. In a city hammered time and again by disasters, the Mayor’s initial plan was an insult to survivors. We are glad that he changed his mind and grateful to the council members who saw the need for housing investment. As the federal government steps away from helping communities, cuts FEMA and threatens HUD there really was no other chance, and this was a win for all of us.”

Regina Johnson, NAC organizer:

“As the proverb says, if you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. We stick together and we grow together!”

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