Local advocates, community groups celebrate securing$100 million for housing in Houston’s disaster recovery plan

August 13, 2025

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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Houston community groups demand increased spending on housing in federal disaster recovery package as Whitmire welcomes HUD Secretary

June 23, 2025

Texas Organizing Project (TOP), West Street Recovery, Texas Housers, Northeast Action Collaborative (NAC), and the Coalition for the Environment, Equity and Resilience (CEER) are demanding that Mayor Whitmire and council members increase the allocation for housing in the City’s Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds.

The community groups are calling for a total housing investment of at least $115 million in the $314.6 million relief funds package, claiming Mayor Whitmire’s recent $50 million allocation is inadequate. This demand comes as Mayor Whitmire welcomes HUD Secretary Turner while the Trump administration angles to slash housing investments and upends disaster forecasting and response through his attacks on FEMA and NOAA.

Houston’s housing crisis is made worse by increasingly extreme weather. Tens of thousands of Houston families are still living with damage from Hurricane Beryl and the 2024 derecho, with several facing leaking roofs, structural hazards, and mold. For many, the next severe storm could bring even more destruction — because repairs and weatherization haven’t happened.

The community groups urged the Whitmire administration to allocate funding for housing in its initial disaster recovery proposal, where $0 in funding was dedicated to housing at the start.

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About Texas Organizing Project:

TOP organizes Black and Latino communities in Dallas, Harris, Bexar, and Fort Bend counties with the goal of transforming Texas into a state where working people of color have the power and representation they deserve. For more information, visit organizetexas.org.

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TOP statement on the passing of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee

July 20, 2024

The following statement is from Dr. Doshie Piper, Board Co-President of Texas Organizing Project (TOP), born and raised in Houston, in reaction to Congresswoman Sheila Jackson succumbing to pancreatic cancer Friday:

“From the halls of Congress to the streets of Houston, Sheila Jackson Lee exemplified public service and leadership.

“Knowledgeable and tenacious, she approached her work as a lawmaker with an unwavering commitment to justice, defending our freedoms, and improving the lives of Harris County residents. TOP is proud to have worked with Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee for years to address issues that matter to working Houstonians, from housing, to healthcare access, to voting rights, and more.”

Debra Walker, TOP Education Fund Board President and a longtime Houston resident, added:

“Our organization is grateful to have had the Congresswoman as a progressive ally in our fight for a #TexasForAll, a state where all feel valued and can thrive – no matter our age, race, or gender.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the loved ones of the Congresswoman, as well as all who she positively impacted over her more than 30 years as a public servant.”

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TOP: ”Juneteenth is more than a historical milestone; it is a beacon of hope and a call to action”

June 19, 2024

The Texas Organizing Project (TOP) celebrates Juneteenth 2024. This day, rooted in the history of Galveston, Texas, where Black enslaved Texans were informed of their freedom on June 19, 1865, symbolizes the ongoing fight for true liberation and the continuous delay for justice.

Angela Davis, renowned activist and scholar, describes Juneteenth as a “day that calls us to remember the sacrifices of our ancestors while urging us to continue the struggle for justice.” TOP remains steadfast in its mission to build power with Black and Latino communities across Texas through community organizing and civic engagement,

Terrance Koontz, “TK,” TOP’s Director of Culture and Organizational Development, emphasizes the importance of Juneteenth in today’s context:

“Juneteenth is more than a historical milestone; it is a beacon of hope and a call to action. As an organization, we have embarked on a movement’s journey to challenge the greed and injustice of racial capitalism because for too long the rich and powerful have dictated the rules of the game. We know that the world we inherited was built off the backs of the people they enslaved, the land of indigenous people they stole, and the earth that they continue to exploit. This is not the legacy that we will pass down to our children. This Juneteenth, let us recommit ourselves to the work of building stronger together a future where every Texan – no matter their race, age, gender, or background – can thrive.”

Tempestt McHenry, Co-President of the TOP Workers Union, shares her perspective on the significance of Juneteenth for workers and communities:

“Juneteenth represents freedom, resilience, and the power of collective action. It is a reminder that our struggle for workers’ rights is deeply intertwined with the broader fight for racial and economic justice. As we celebrate this day, we honor the contributions of Black workers throughout history and recognize the ongoing challenges they face today. It was in 2021 that TOP held its first observance of Juneteenth as a staff holiday, as we commemorated it as #BlackLivesMatter Day, a day for Black joy and resistance. We’re proud to be celebrating it as such ever since, as we grow and make strides as a Pro-Black organization. For us, Juneteenth will be a day of respite and reflection, of jubilation and freedom dreaming. That is what liberation looks like to us: finding the possibility in all that seems impossible.”

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TOP PAC continues to move the needle of progressive political power in Texas, fighting off right-wing hate and disinformation

March 6, 2024

The following statement is from Brianna Brown, Co-Executive Director of Texas Organizing Project (TOP), reflecting on TOP PAC’s efforts in the 2024 Texas Democratic Primary:

“TOP PAC launched an intensive candidate screening process at the end of 2023 with the goal of endorsing primary candidates who are unwavering in their commitment to enshrining our rights, protecting our freedoms, and fighting far-right MAGA extremism ― all while transforming our state into a place where Black and Latino Texans can thrive. The result was a slate of 13 endorsed leaders ready to champion progressive policies that will benefit ALL communities across our state.

“These past four weeks, TOP PAC’s get-out-the-vote campaign knocked on 128,567 doors in Bexar, Dallas, and Harris counties, informing working Texans not only about our endorsed candidates, but about issues that affect their daily lives ― ranging from housing and healthcare, to immigration reform, legal system reform, and public education. A coalition consisting of TOP PAC, Working Families Party, Working People’s PAC (Gulf Coast AFL-CIO), Unemployed Workers United, and Texas Justice & Public Safety PAC collectively knocked on more than 160,000 doors in Harris County over the course of the primary.

“TOP PAC’s comprehensive voter engagement work is critical in connecting everyday issues to the ballot box and, ultimately, the officeholders who we elect and work to hold accountable. We saw this in real-time Tuesday, as TOP PAC’s GOTV program helped unseat Harris County DA Kim Ogg, an incumbent who strayed from implementing reforms, and who was using her elected office to launch political attacks on county officials.

“This on-the-ground consistent voter engagement work is such an important part of our mission to create a true Texas that reflects our values and uplifts each and every person ― regardless of age, race, gender, income, or faith.

Dr. Doshie Piper, TOP Board President, added:

“We understand that there is no way to establish progressive power in our state — to actually create a Texas that works for everyone — without meaningful and consistent voter engagement in Black and Latino neighborhoods.

“Each and every election cycle, TOP PAC works to expand and strengthen the progressive infrastructure in our communities, which allows us to connect with these voters and mobilize them around issues that matter deeply to them. This is how we change the political landscape in our state and put more power into the hands of Black and Latino Texans. This is how we win the change all Texans deserve.”

TOP PAC congratulates the following endorsed candidates in advancing or winning their Democratic primary races:

Harris County

Sean Teare for Harris County District Attorney (Win)
Christian Menefee for Harris County Attorney (Win)
Sheila Jackson Lee for Congress, TX-18 (Win)
Molly Cook for Texas Senate, Dist. 15 (Runoff)
Lauren Ashley Simmons for Texas State Representative, Dist. 146 (Runoff)

Bexar County

Kristian Carranza for Texas State Representative, Dist. 118 (Win)
Rebeca Clay-Flores for Bexar County Commissioner, Pct. 1 (Runoff)

Dallas County

Cassandra Hernandez for Texas State Representative, Dist. 115 (Win)

Travis County

José Garza for Travis County District Attorney (Win)

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About Texas Organizing Project (TOP) PAC:
TOP PAC runs the largest, independent get-out-the-vote political field programs in Texas, focusing on expanding the electorate of color, with an emphasis on turning out Black and Latino voters. To date, TOP PAC has mobilized hundreds of thousands of voters across the state with the aim of building a reflective democracy — one that looks like us and shares our values. Learn more at toppac.org.

This press release was sent out March 6, 2024.

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TOP PAC Powers Harris County DA Candidate Sean Teare to Victory in Democratic Primary

March 5, 2024

The following statement is from Brianna Brown, Co-Executive Director of Texas Organizing Project (TOP), in response to TOP PAC’s efforts to help Sean Teare defeat incumbent Harris County DA Kim Ogg in the 2024 Texas Democratic Primary:

“Tonight, Sean Teare’s win in the Democratic primary for Harris County District Attorney is a huge victory, and a significant milestone in our ongoing mission to reimagine our legal system, one district attorney at a time. Teare’s win also underscores that progressive legal reform policies are popular, and respect the dignity and advance the prosperity of all Harris County residents – regardless of race, class, or gender, or ZIP Code. Through our comprehensive get-out-the-vote (GOTV) program, TOP knocked on more than 94,000 doors across Harris County, informing voters of Sean Teare and the impacts that this electoral race has on everyday working families.”

Brown continued, “TOP’s overall commitment to electing reform-minded district attorneys is driven by an understanding of the pivotal role they play in our legal system — from making charging decisions to setting bail recommendations, and from prosecuting cases to recommending sentences. The power district attorneys hold can either perpetuate a cycle of incarceration, or pivot toward a more restorative, equitable legal framework that truly serves the community.”

Laquita Garcia, TOP’s Right2Justice Policy Coordinator, echoed TOP’s strategy and the importance of accountability post-election:

“With Sean Teare’s advancing, TOP has once again proved the thesis of our two-pronged strategy to transform Texas: mobilizing people power and wielding political power. By focusing our large-scale get-out-the-vote programs on increasing the participation of Black and Latino voters, we’re not just electing individuals; we’re ensuring that the voices of those most affected by the legal system are heard loud and clear.”

Garcia continued “Our work, however, doesn’t stop here. The real work begins the day after the election in November. We remain steadfast in our commitment to holding elected DAs accountable, ensuring that they stay true to their promises of reform and justice for all communities. This victory is a step forward in our broader mission to dismantle systemic barriers and forge a path toward a more just and equitable society.”

TOP will continue to fight for equitable justice reforms that prioritize the safety and dignity of all residents, demonstrating the power of community-led advocacy in shaping a more inclusive and just society.

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About Texas Organizing Project (TOP) PAC:

TOP PAC runs the largest, independent get-out-the-vote political field programs in Texas, focusing on expanding the electorate of color, with an emphasis on turning out Black and Latino voters. To date, TOP PAC has mobilized hundreds of thousands of voters across the state with the aim of building a reflective democracy — one that looks like us and shares our values. Learn more at toppac.org.

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TOP PAC moves progressive power forward in Houston municipal election

November 8, 2023

The following statement is from Brianna Brown, Co-Executive Director of Texas Organizing Project (TOP), in response to the group’s success in Houston’s municipal elections:

“Houston voters made clear Tuesday they are hungry for effective progressive leadership at City Hall. We see evidence of this in the decisive re-election win of former TOP organizer and current District B progressive champion Tarsha Jackson, as well as the strong electoral showings of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and Dr. Letitia Plummer — all Black progressive women eager to continue to serve the people of Houston.

“Over the span of 10 weeks, TOP PAC’s voter engagement program under our BlackTOP banner made more than 69,000 door knocks across Houston — reaching out to predominantly Black households that for too long have been ignored by traditional political campaigns. BlackTOP was built on the premise that the future of Texas rests in organizing Black folks across the state and getting US to the polls.

“We know the only path to progressive power in our cities and state is through real engagement with Black communities. Texas is home to the greatest number of Black Americans in the U.S., with Harris County — the largest county in Texas and third-largest county in the nation — having the second-largest Black population of all counties.

“Coupled with a targeted Latino voter outreach strategy this election, and by leading with issues that directly impact our everyday lives and taking no community member for granted, TOP PAC is building progressive power on the ground in our neighborhoods to move ALL Houstonians forward — regardless of race, age, gender, or where they call home.”

Dr. Doshie Piper, TOP board president, added: “As voters and community members, WE have the power to elect leaders committed to progress and a future where every Texan can thrive. The candidates we vote for at the local level shape our everyday lives and those of our families.

“Understanding how much is on the line for Houstonians this election — on every issue from housing affordability, to healthcare access, to legal reform, migrants’ rights, voting rights, environmental rights, and more — TOP PAC is on the streets of working Black and Latino neighborhoods pushing for the political and policy shifts our communities deserve.

“We are ecstatic about Tarsha Jackson’s dominating victory and Houston’s Proposition B passing. We now look forward to continuing to champion Sheila Jackson Lee and Dr. Letitia Plummer in their respective runoffs.”

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About Texas Organizing Project (TOP) PAC:

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TOP reflects on and celebrates Indigenous Peoples’ Day

October 9, 2023

The following is a statement from Brianna Brown, Co-Executive Director of Texas Organizing Project (TOP), on the organization recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day this year:

“Today, TOP joins in lifting up the past, present, and futures of Indigenous peoples in not just the United States, but around the world.

“As an organization committed to ending systemic oppression in our country as a result of racial capitalism, TOP recognizes the land we inhabit is fraught with violent stories of Indigenous suffering and resistance against the genocidal tool of colonization.

“Injustices faced by Indigenous communities, both then and now, are a stark reminder of the institutional racism embedded in the U.S. – stemming from instruments of white supremacy, from chattel slavery to our current carceral system.

“TOP now practices land acknowledgments in our work because the land reflects the struggles, the strength, and the stories of the people that continue to shape it. As TOP transforms and unequivocally shifts toward becoming a pro-Black organization, we understand racial justice intersects with the fight for Indigenous rights, immigrants’ rights, and economic justice.

“Through building power across BIPOC communities, we are collectively lifting each other up, learning from our mutual experiences, and fighting for liberation of us all – no matter the color of our skin, the language we speak, or where we call home.”

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About Texas Organizing Project:

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TOP reflects as National Hispanic Heritage Month starts

September 15, 2023

The following is a statement from Michelle Tremillo, Texas Organizing Project (TOP) Co-Executive Director, on the organization’s observance of National Hispanic Heritage Month this year:

“This month and every month, TOP celebrates the lives, contributions, and sacrifices of those across our diverse Latino communities whose resilience and tenacity has shaped the United States and our society for generations.

“It is the vibrancy of our Latinidad – inclusive of and strengthened by our Afro-Latino and Indigenous brothers and sisters – that strikes fear into the hearts of not just far-right extremists, but corporate bosses who for centuries have wielded racial capitalism to divide us.

“As an organization committed to racial and economic justice, we’re not playing their colonial game entrenched in anti-Blackness and colorism; we’re flipping the script because we know the fates of Black and Latino Americans are inextricably linked.

“Attaining our collective liberation will require an unshakeable solidarity that spans race, gender, age, background, language, and economic status – a solidarity ingrained in TOP’s mission and demonstrated every day in the communities we organize.

“This is how we build our movement – by affirming that we are stronger together. This is how we create the Texas of our dreams where every person can thrive, a Texas for all.”

Julie Vazquez, TOP board member from Dallas County, added:

“GOP “leaders” like Gov. Greg Abbott and Donald Trump try to marginalize us at every turn, because they know the sheer power of our communities and how we are a threat to the status quo.

“Latinos are now more than 63 million strong nationwide, with 12 million of us residing in Texas alone, officially making up the biggest share of our state’s population as of this year.

“It is on us to bring our best selves to this fight for the future Black, Latino, and all Texans deserve; a future where healthcare is more accessible, housing is more affordable, public education is more supported, and our legal system is more just. TOP remains unwavering in showing up to this fight and doing the gritty on-the-ground organizing work needed to win.”

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Securing a Houston housing justice organizing win

June 11, 2022

ORGANIZING WIN: On June 1, 2022, TOP’s Harris County Housing Justice campaign members were pleased to see included in next year’s Houston city budget the funding for salaries for eight habitability/health inspectors in the first year of the Apartment Inspection Reform program — an initiative of Houston City Council Member Letitia Plummer (At-Large, Position 4).

TOP Houston members testified in support of this passed budget amendment which will increase accountability for landlords to provide livable housing for ALL Houston tenants.

Our Harris County Housing Justice campaign believes housing is a fundamental human right. Every Houstonian deserves to live in a home that is clean, safe, and inhabitable. We are proud that this passed budget amendment will ultimately improve housing conditions for many more Houston tenants in the coming months.

Contact Mitzi Ordoñez at mordonez@organizetexas.org to learn more about this victory and how you can get involved in our Harris County Housing Justice efforts.

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