AFFORDABLE HOUSING
My administration recently worked with the Houston Community Housing and Development program to approve the Harvey Homebuyer Assistance Program in partnership with the Texas General Land Office. The initiative will start in this month and ensure that Houstonians affected by Hurricane Harvey have the chance to reach homeownership by Dec. 2027.
This is an exciting development for the newly reimagined program to put $18 million into local communities, reinforcing our commitment to affordable housing.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Public safety is my priority, and I recently had an opportunity to join Police Chief Noe Diaz in distributing $1,000 stipend checks to each of the 64 graduates of the Houston Police Academy to purchase their own weapons.
I am grateful the Houston Police Foundation provided the funding for each academy class to graduate in 2025. The City of Houston requires officers to purchase firearms. These officers are dedicated to protecting our community and they put their lives on the line. The least we can do is provide support for their service weapons.
HOUSTON FIRE DEPARTMENT
Last month, the City of Houston Fire Department sent Houston Firefighters to California to assist with the devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area, along with other members of the Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual System. I am thankful for their bravery, proud of their commitment, and looking forward to their safe return home.
I want to take a moment to express my deepest empathy for those impacted by the devastating fires in LA. Watching a home burn is not just the loss of a building—it’s the loss of memories, security, and so much more. I know this pain personally.
When I was in 6th grade, my family’s home burned to the ground. I still vividly remember pulling into the driveway and seeing nothing left but the chimney. It’s a feeling that stays with you forever, which is why I know how important firefighters and the community are during these challenging times. To all —please know you’re not alone. Houston stands with you, and we’ll continue to do what we can to help.