City of Houston PostHarvey

Dear Houstonians,

Hurricane Harvey inundated America’s 4th largest city with over 50 inches of rain and impacted more than 300,000 housing units in Houston alone. More homes flooded in Houston during Hurricane Harvey than in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina or New York City during Hurricane Sandy. This is the third year in a row that Houston has experienced severe flooding resulting in a Presidentially declared disaster.

By itself, Harvey represents the largest housing disaster in American history, and we cannot effectively recover without federal support. This website outlines our requests of the federal government for members of the Administration, Congress and their staff, the media and the public.

Houston has come to the aid of other Gulf Coast communities in their time of need and represents an essential hub for American energy, medical treatment, shipping, aerospace, and trade. Working with our Congressional delegation, we need the federal government to come to our aide to help build a more resilient city that has learned the lessons of Harvey. Without flood mitigation, rebuilding dollars are just funding for future failure.

I invite you to read through this site and contact my Office of Government Relations with any questions.

Quick Facts

Newsroom chevron_right

Flooding Near Addicks Reservoir

New Harris County flood maps will be first in US to show more accurate risks for homes, businesses

When Harris County debuts a massive overhaul of its floodplain maps later this year, the Houston area will be the first in the country to rely on a more accurate assessment of homes and businesses at risk. ...

Houston Chronicle • 03.04.2023

Man in Yellow Shirt

HUD, Texas at odds over flood relief discrimination claim

The faded and weathered construction permits still taped to Houston resident Mal Moses’ front door are reminders of the difficulties he faced in trying to get his mold-infested walls and leaky roof repaired after Hurricane Harvey in 2017. ...

Associated Press • 08.27.2022

Freight Boat in Galveston

Senate approves Ike Dike plan, making full Congressional approval within reach

The U.S. Senate on Thursday approved the plan to build the coastal barrier known as the "Ike Dike" at the mouth of Galveston Bay. The $31-billion dollar project is considered ...

Houston Chronicle • 07.28.2022

Galveston Beach Photo

‘Ike Dike’ project approved by U.S. House, another step forward for Gulf storm barrier

The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday night voted 384-37 to approve the plan for the $31-billion “Ike Dike,” a massive project designed to protect the vulnerable region from storm surge. ...

Houston Chronicle • 06.08.2022

Videoschevron_right

HELP Act

Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) Delivers Floor Speech Ahead of HELP Act Passage in the House.

C-SPAN

Three Year Hurricane Harvey Update

Chief Recovery Officer Stephen Costello and Houston Housing Director Tom McCasland Update City Council. Stephen Costello's remarks begin at 31:00.

YouTube

Stephen Costello's Harvey Impact Presentation

The purpose of this report is to provide a snapshot on the progress of Harvey recovery efforts and the transition towards the implementation phase kicked off in November of 2018.

HTV Houston Television

Supporting Documents

descriptionLetter to HGAC from Mayor on CDBG-MIT Monies July 21, 2022 descriptionLetter to HGAC from Mayor and Council Members February 11, 2022 descriptionComments to GLO Action Plan from City of Houston September 29, 2021 descriptionMayor Turner written testimony to Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigation regarding Texas GLO CDBG-MITJuly 15, 2021 descriptionPublic Works Director Carol Haddock oral testimony to Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigation regarding Texas GLO CDBG-MITJuly 15, 2021 descriptionMayor Turner Letter to Congressional InquiryJune 18, 2021 descriptionJoint Letter from Mayor Turner & Judge Hidalgo to Secretary FudgeJune 11, 2021 descriptionLetter to GLO Commissioner George P. Bush from Mayor Turner, Judge Hidalgo, Houston City Council and Harris County Commissioners Court regarding CDBG-MITMay 25, 2021 descriptionArmy Corps Study October 2020 descriptionProject Sheets for CDBG-MIT September 28, 2020 descriptionCDBG-MIT Presentation September 1, 2020 description3 Year Update & Overview Document August 26, 2020 descriptionSituation and Pipeline Update July 31, 2020 descriptionSituation and Pipeline Update June 30, 2020 descriptionSituation and Pipeline Update May 31, 2020 descriptionSituation and Pipeline Update April 30, 2020 descriptionBuilding Resilient Infrastructure & Communities (BRIC) Comments May 6, 2020 descriptionSituation and Pipeline Update March 31, 2020 descriptionSituation and Pipeline Update February 28, 2020 descriptionCostello Presentation before City Council March 3, 2020 description2 Year Harvey Report Harvey Progress Report March 2020 descriptionMayor & Director Haddock on Lake Lowering February 19, 2020 descriptionSupport Letter for HELP Act February 17, 2020 descriptionSituation and Pipeline Update January 31, 2020 descriptionCity of Houston Testimony to TWDB on SB 7 January 30, 2020 descriptionLiving With Water Houston Final Report January 30, 2020 descriptionComment on TWDB Draft Flood Intended Use Plan for SB 7 January 13, 2020 descriptionLake Conroe Level Lowering January 10, 2020 descriptionCity Comments to GLO Action Plan January 6, 2020 descriptionSituation and Pipeline Report December 31, 2019 descriptionSituation and Pipeline Report November 29, 2019 descriptionCostello Follow Up to GLO November 20, 2019 descriptionHCD Director Response to GLO November 15, 2019 descriptionSituation and Pipeline Report October 31, 2019 descriptionHMGP Update October 30, 2019 descriptionCongressional Delegation Support Letter for Houston Dredging October 24, 2019 descriptionMayor Turner & Judge Hidalgo Joint Letter to GLO October 18, 2019 descriptionHarris County Delegation on Bedroom Waiver October 15, 2019 descriptionFeedback on Planning Considerations: Disaster Housing October 15, 2019 descriptionSituation and Pipeline Report September 30, 2019 descriptionGreater Houston Community Foundation – 2 Year Report September 2019 descriptionLetter to HUD on Single Family Distance Waiver September 4, 2019 descriptionDelegation Briefing September 6, 2019 descriptionCongressional Request Letter on San Jacinto River Dredging September 5, 2019 descriptionHUD Federal Register Notice August 30, 2019 descriptionHomeowner Assistance Program: Situation & Pipeline Report #1 August 28, 2019 descriptionLetter to HUD on 3 Bedroom Waiver July 8, 2019 descriptionHUD Response to Bedroom Waiver July 8, 2019 descriptionWritten Testimony from Stephen Costello to U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Reform, Subcommittee on Environment June 25, 2019 descriptionGov. Abbott Bill SigningJune 13, 2019 descriptionJoint Letter to OMBJune 4, 2019 descriptionHarvey Data Project ReportMarch 2019 descriptionLetter to Chief Nimm Kidd – Regarding Inwood Golf Course and Lake Houston Dam Application3/12/19 descriptionCostello Presentation to City Council2/27/19 descriptionCity’s request for maximizing local matching dollars from Texas’ Rainy Day Fund2/7/19 descriptionCity of Houston’s request for matching dollars from Texas’ Rainy Day Fund1/16/19 descriptionLetter from Mayor and County Judge to Governor and Lt. Governor1/3/19 descriptionHUD Approval of City Action Plan12/12/18 descriptionDisaster Recovery Status Report12/10/18 descriptionApproval of City's Needs Assessment12/7/18 descriptionHurricane Harvey Recovery Progress Report (updated 01.23.2019)11/28/18 descriptionUpdate to Texas Dept of Emergency Mgmt10/23/18 descriptionLocal Needs Housing Assessment10/11/18 descriptionLocal Needs Housing Assessment Fact Sheet10/11/18 descriptionLetter from Mayor on Lake Houston9/12/18 descriptionMayor/County Judge Joint Letter to HUD8/6/18 descriptionHazard Mitigation Grant Update7/30/18 descriptionPresentation on Draft Local Action Plan6/25/18 descriptionHousing Local Action Plan Summary6/7/18 descriptionHousing Local Action Plan6/7/18 descriptionLong-Term Housing Recovery FAQs6/4/18 descriptionPresentation to Council BFA Committee on Recovery5/29/18 descriptionLetter from Mayor on Coastal Spine Bill5/24/18 descriptionUpdated Presentation on Hazard Mitigation Grants5/21/18 descriptionPresentation on 2015 CDBG-DR Dollars5/17/18 descriptionLetter to Governor from Mayors and County Judges on HMGP5/15/18 descriptionHouston Delegation Letter on CDBG-DR Funds4/11/18 descriptionMayor Turner Testimony to Homeland Security Committee4/9/18 descriptionCity to GLO on Allocation Agreements3/27/18 descriptionChapter 19 Floodplain Data Analysis3/16/18 descriptionLetter from Congressional Delegation Supporting Volunteer Match3/14/18 descriptionLetter from Judge Emmett to Commissioner Bush re: Recovery Plan3/13/18 descriptionLetter from Mayor Turner to Commissioner Bush re: Recovery Plan3/8/18 descriptionMemo on Requirement of GLO to Consult Local Governments3/8/18 descriptionMcCasland Letter to GLO Director re: Recovery Action Plan3/2/18 descriptionPresentation to City Council2/14/18 descriptionUpdate on Housing Damage2/9/18 descriptionBreakdown of Congressional Deal2/9/18 descriptionNotice of Funding Availability for CDBG-DR Funds2/9/18 descriptionH.R 1892, Bipartisan Budget Act2/9/18 descriptionSenate Appropriations Summary2/6/18 descriptionHurricane Harvey: Fiscal Analyses and Resources1/30/18 descriptionMayor's Request to HUD on Technical Assistance1/28/18 descriptionPresentation to House General Investigations and Ethics Committee1/18/18 descriptionTurner/Emmett Letter on Case Management1/17/18 picture_as_pdfMayor Turner to Governor on Kingwood12/14/17 picture_as_pdfEFF & KFF Harvey Survey12/01/17 picture_as_pdfMayor Sylvester Turner Letter to Governor Abbott12/17/17 picture_as_pdfMarvin Odom Letter to Alex Amparo11/30/17 picture_as_pdfMayor Sylvester Turner Letter to Administrator Brock Long and Secretary Ben Carson11/28/17 picture_as_pdfKinder Institute: Harvey Relief and Recovery Funding Primer11/27/17 descriptionCity of Houston Priorities for Federal Harvey Disaster Funding11/15/17 picture_as_pdfMemo: Hurricane Harvey Impact on Housing Units11/09/17 descriptionRebuild Texas Request for Federal Assistance10/31/17 descriptionBreakdown of Federal Funds Appropriated10/30/17 picture_as_pdfCDBG DR2015 Project Status Update10/24/17 descriptionMayor Sylvester Turner Letter to Appropriations Committee Requesting Rainy Day Funds10/02/17 descriptionSolid Waste Disposal Fees Account No. 5000 Facts09/28/17 descriptionState Cost Sharing Comparison09/26/17 picture_as_pdfMayor Sylvester Turner Letter to Governor Abbott Requesting Rainy Day Funds09/25/17 picture_as_pdfCornyn Delegation Letter to Secretary Carson Requesting Allocation of CDBG-DR Funds09/21/17 descriptionMayor Sylvester Turner Letter Naming Marvin Odum Chief Recovery Officer09/15/17 picture_as_pdfHCDD Disaster Recovery Federal/State Fund Allocation Overview09/13/17 picture_as_pdfMayor Sylvester Turner Letter to Governor Abbott Seeking CDBG-DR Funds09/06/17 picture_as_pdfMayor Sylvester Turner Letter to Governor Abbott Detailing Harvey Relief Priorities and Requests09/04/17 picture_as_pdfMayor Sylvester Turner Letter to Administrator Long Requesting FEMA Assistance09/01/17