Government
BY CASSANDRA JENKINS, EMILY LINCKE & KEVIN VU
Fourth Ward Super Neighborhood returns
Housing Authority CEO appointed
Harris County early childhood education program facing closure A pilot program o ering free early childhood edu- cation for children ages 4 and younger across Harris County could be ending soon once federal funding runs out, county commissioners said Feb. 6. The overview O cials launched Harris County’s Early Reach Education Access for Children pilot program in June 2023 to provide free, high-quality child care for fam- ilies in high-need areas, addressing the challenges faced by both children and child care providers in the county, Community Impact previously reported. It was launched using funds from the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act, which were temporary, meaning additional funding would eventually be needed, o cials said. ARPA funds must be spent by the end of 2026.
County to look at $130M shortfall
Early reach centers
Precinct 1 Precinct 3
Precinct 2 Precinct 4
The Fourth Ward Super Neighborhood is looking to reactivate in 2025 after being inactive. The big picture Fourth Ward resident Joseph Panzarella is spear- heading the revival after noticing the community did not have a proper seat at the table in Houston City Hall. A Super Neighborhood Council, accord- ing to the city’s website, serves as a forum where residents and stakeholders can discuss issues and establish priority projects. Zooming in Panzarella said the goals of the Super Neighbor- hood would be to bring neighbors closer together, create streamlined communication to the city and allow the community to apply for grants for beauti cation and improvement. Get involved Fourth Ward is one of Houston’s six historic wards located inside Loop 610 and is home to
1 Freedmen's Town
2 Rose of Sharon Baptist Church
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45
The Houston Housing Authority board approved the hiring of Jamie Bryant Feb. 6 as president and CEO. Bryant started Feb. 10. Zooming in According to a news release, Bryant spent
Harris County o cials said at a Feb. 6 meeting they are anticipating a $130 million gap in funding of drainage projects due to in ated costs of construction materials. The full story Harris County’s subdivision drainage program was designed to reduce the risk of ooding for 45,000 homes countywide upon completion, as previously reported by Community Impact . The funding shortage follows a number of challenges for the program, including a $277 million funding shortfall announced in 2023, prompting the county to pause 33 projects under the program. Most of the $130 million gap could impact projects in Precinct 1, which makes up much of central Harris County, o cials said.
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290
99 TOLL
BUFFALO BAYOU
P K W Y
10
10
Fourth Ward boundary
99 TOLL
610
Jamie Bryant
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1
GALVESTON BAY
69
E. ANDREWS ST.
over 20 years as president and chief oper- ating o cer at Houston real estate rm Midway, and served on boards for various a ordable housing nonpro ts. Bryant will provide oversight to ensure HHA provides quality, a ordable housing and promotes economic self-su ciency. His hiring comes after President and CEO David Northern resigned in November.
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1,300 children across the county participated in the program
$15 guaranteed minimum wage for child care providers
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SOURCE: FOURTH WARD SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD COMMUNITY IMPACT
Freedmen’s Town, a national historic site. The Super Neighborhood will host a meeting to vote for board members and bylaws on March 20 at 6 p.m. at the Rose of Sharon Baptist Church.
4 and younger are ages of eligible children
$29 million in ARPA funding spent on the program
SOURCE: HARRIS COUNTY COMMUNITY IMPACT
HOUSTON SUPERSTORE 2410 Smith Street (713) 526-8787
WESTCOTT AND MEMORIAL 5818 Memorial Dr (713) 861-4161
SHEPHERD 1900 S Shepherd (713) 529-4849
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