Government
BY MELISSA ENAJE
Harris County jails remain understaffed Harris County officials described in late March how the county is struggling to manage its over- crowded jails. Factors discussed at a March 25 media meet- ing and March 26 meeting of the Harris County Commissioners Court include inadequate staffing, specialty inmate populations which require a higher level of supervision than the general popula- tion and the challenges faced with staffing a facility that operates 24/7. Digging deeper Tonya Mills with the county administration department said 73% of people in custody are in a preadjudication status, or pretrial status, which she said was an exceptionally high number. Mills said those waiting longer for trial or to be seen by a judge have a negative impact on the overall jail population.
Child care centers eligible for tax aid
2023 Harris County jails detention officer staffing rates
Filled positions
Vacant positions
JAN. FEB. MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE
155 165 153 165 202 210 209 209 241 240 241 168
1,588 1,578 1,586 1,574 1,537 1,529 1,530 1,530 1,588 1,498 1,499 1,514
An estimated 327 Harris County child care providers now qualify for 100% property tax exemption after Harris County commission- ers authorized the exemptions at a March 26
court meeting. The framework
JULY AUG. SEPT. OCT. NOV. DEC.
Just six days prior to the county approval, members of the Houston City Council also passed a similar tax exemption, paving the way for child care facilities in both the city of Houston and Harris County to apply immediately for the exemption. For the exemptions to apply to the 2024 tax year, eligible child care facilities should submit their applications by April 30 to the Harris Central Appraisal District.
SOURCE: HARRIS COUNTY OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Mills also said the average days to transfer inmates is increasing. While transferring inmates to out-of-state facilities may provide temporary relief, and court cases are beginning to process faster, she said it doesn’t address the underlying problem.
$39.8M approved in Harris County affordable housing An additional $39.8 million in American Rescue Plan Act federal funds were approved by Harris County commissioners on March 26 to obtain or preserve more than 670 affordable housing units throughout the county. Total approved federal funding is expected to result in preserving at least 1,812 units in the county, according to county administration officials. The big picture
Harris County ARPA- funded multifamily developments
45
69
8
99
6
610
Out of the $915.5 million in ARPA funding that was distributed to Harris County in March 2021 from the U.S. Department of Treasury, $895.4 mil- lion has been allocated, including $122.6 million toward affordable housing.
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Houston
69
exceed $115.6 million across 18 multifamily proper- ties, including the additional six properties com- missioners approved in March. Ultimately, this will
45
288
90
N
SOURCE: HARRIS COUNTY OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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