Spring - Klein Edition | December 2023

Government

BY MELISSA ENAJE

Harris County approves $863M ood agreement Harris County commissioners approved an agreement with the Texas General Land Oce Oct. 31 for a combined $863 million in grant fund- ing to the Harris County Flood Control District that will be allocated for €ood-risk reduction projects associated with the 2018 €ood control district bond program. Explained Two grants were approved, and each grant has di‡erent mandated completion dates, according to court documents. The federal funding comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and is administered by the GLO. • Projects funded by a $322 million grant must be completed by March 31, 2026. Projects funded by a $541 million grant must be completed by March 31, 2028.

Harris County awards child care grants Harris County commissioners awarded ’ve organizations a combined $18.8 million in grants Oct. 31 to improve child care quality over the next three years. The new initiative is called Early Learning Quality Networks and was fully funded by American Rescue Plan Act funds. The impact A July report by nonpro’t Children at Risk found one-third of all ZIP codes in Texas qualify as child care deserts, meaning there are at least three times more children eligi- ble for early child care than the number of available seats. Children at Risk is one of the ’ve groups to receive funds, alongside the East Harris County Empowerment Council, VN Teamwork, YMCA of Greater Houston and Harris County Public Library.

June 6 Harris County commissioners approve application to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for disaster recovery funding. July 18 Commissioners authorize the Harris County Flood Control District to work with the state on a direct allocation of $502.5 million . During negotiations, an additional $39.35 million was oˆered by the GLO, resulting in the total allocation of $541.85 million . October 31 Commissioners approve the combined $863.88 million in federal funds, including a past allocation of $322.03 million in Community Development Block grants.

SOURCE: HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICTCOMMUNITY IMPACT

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