CITY& COUNTY
News from Harris County & Fort Bend County
NUMBER TOKNOW Houston nonprofit Coalition for the Homeless’s COVID-19 housing project $29.5M MEETING HIGHLIGHTS FORTBENDCOUNTY The for the second phase of sheriff’s office in Fort Bend County will retain 16 fleet vehicles instead of shelving them as planned after Fort Bend County Commissioners Court unanimously approved the request Feb. 1. The 16 vehicles were going to be replaced but will now be classified as permanent additions for use when a main vehicle is being repaired. The request was made due to supply chain shortages, according to county documents. HARRIS COUNTY In a split vote, Harris County Commissioners Court approved on Feb. 8 a $1.3 billion budget for the next seven months as well as a preliminary $2.15 billion budget for the following 12 months. It includes $1.38 billion for justice and safety programs. The fiscal year 2022-23 budget and tax rates will be finalized in September. Two commissioners, Tom Ramsey of Precinct 3 and Jack Cagle of Precinct 4 in Katy, opposed the budget. Katy City Council meets the second and fourth Mondays of the month at 6:30 p.m. The next meeting is Feb. 28 at 910 Ave. C, Katy. 281-391-4800. www.cityofkaty.com Harris County Commissioners Court usually meets Tuesday mornings twice a month. The next meeting is March 8 at 1001 Preston Ave., Ste. 934, Houston. 713-755-5000. www.harriscountytx.gov Fort Bend County Commissioners Court meets at 1 p.m. the first, second and fourth Tuesdays each month. The next meeting is March 1 at 401 Jackson St., Richmond. 281-342-3411. www.fortbendcountytx.gov MEETINGSWE COVER
Harris County commissioners approve $29.5Mfor the second phase of pandemic housing project
BY EMILY LINCKE
funding previously pledged to the second phase, the county’s total contribution for the project will be $35 million, according to the Jan. 25 Commissioners Court meeting agenda. Precincts 3 and 4 Commissioners TomRamsey and Jack Cagle voted against the motion, voicing concerns about the project being funded by an American Rescue Plan Act grant. “I supported the $5.5 million that we [approved],” said Cagle, who PROGRAMRESOURCES Launched in July 2020, the Community COVID Housing Program is a joint effort among Harris County, the Coalition for the Homeless and the city of Houston to provide resources to homeless individuals during the pandemic.
represents the Katy area. “Because we were dealing [with] and responding to what was going on with COVID. [Now] we’re dealing with ARPA funds, which will run out.” Officials have not established who will pay for the project in two years, should it continue, County Adminis- trator David Berry said. “[We are] not creating a bunch of county positions that will have to continue being funded,” Berry said.
HARRIS COUNTY In a split vote, Harris County commissioners pledged a maximum of $29.5 million for the second phase of Houston nonprofit Coalition for the Homeless’s COVID-19 housing project Jan. 25. The Community COVID Housing Program is a joint effort among the city of Houston, Harris County and the Coalition for the Homeless, and it was launched in July 2020. The program provides resources to homeless individuals during the pandemic. During the first phase of the CCHP, 3,000 people have been housed and 7,000 households have been provided program services, Precinct 2 Commis- sioner Adrian Garcia said on Jan. 25. The CCHP 2.0 will begin in June or July, according to officials. Including
The program provides: • Temporary rental assistance • Permanent housing • Mental health services • Career programs • Other supportive services
SOURCE: HARRIS COUNTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
Officials approve $2Mfor small- business loan program
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS To qualify for the Regional Revolving Loan Program, a business must:
Have a net worth of less than $15 million Have an average net income of less than $5 million over the past two years Have proof of being impacted by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic or demonstrate that it will contribute to economic recovery from the pandemic Be located within Fort Bend County
BY SIERRA ROZEN
FORTBENDCOUNTY Up to $2 million will be available to Fort Bend County small businesses that were affected by the pandemic through the Regional Revolving Loan Program, after it was approved by Houston-Galveston Area Council on Feb. 15. The program is a partnership between Fort Bend County and H-GAC. “The Triple R Program offers businesses within Fort Bend County that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic an opportunity to apply for grants and loans that will help them recover, thrive and demonstrate resilience,” said Omar Fortune, small-business financing manager for the H-GAC. Businesses will be able to find eligibility details and an
SOURCE: FORT BEND COUNTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
application online at www.hgaldc.com/tripler/default.aspx. Businesses must prove they were impacted by the pandemic or that they will contribute to economic recovery. The programwill be available through 2028. The loans are intended to cover things like rent, mortgages and payroll.
*Valid in-store at the Wild Birds Unlimited, Katy or by shopping online at https://order. wbu.com/katy. One discount per purchase. Offer not valid on previous purchases, gift cards, optics, DSC memberships or sale items. Offer valid From 3/4/2022 thru 3/14/22.
Wild Birds Unlimited, Katy • 23930 Westheimer Pkwy. STE 115, Katy, TX 77494 • 832.437.4937 | Hours: Mon - Sat: 10am-6pm, Sun: 11am-4pm
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KATY EDITION • FEBRUARY 2022
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