The Housing and Community Development Department (HCDD) recommends approval of an additional appropriation and allocation to the Management Agreement with New Hope Housing, Inc., a Texas non-profit corporation. The additional funding of $696,789.93 will secure 2 months of operation payments for the Residence on Emancipation property.
Hurricane Harvey made landfall on Friday, August 25, 2017, between Port Aransas and Port O'Connor, Texas as a category 4 hurricane. Hurricane Harvey's devastating effects soon began to impact Houston, causing catastrophic flooding, other severe weather, and hazardous conditions. Hurricane Harvey also presented an imminent threat to public health and safety and has resulted in the displacement of numerous individuals and families who were placed at emergency shelters established in various locations across the City, including the George R. Brown Convention Center and the Toyota Center.
It was necessary to identify locations for more permanent emergency housing for displaced individuals and families as soon as possible. Emergency dormitory space was available at 419 Emancipation Avenue (the “Property”), which enabled the City to provide up to approximately 296 of these displaced individuals and families with emergency housing for the next twelve months. To secure this space, the City entered into a Management Agreement with New Hope Housing, Inc. to operate emergency housing at the Property.
Due to the urgency of this situation, City Council delegated to the Mayor or the Mayor’s Designee the authority to negotiate the terms and conditions of the Management Agreement so that this agreement became effective as soon as possible and the affected individuals could relocate immediately.
The Management Agreement is in place for up to a twelve-month period, expiring on September 30, 2018. At this time, City Council is requested to authorize the appropriation and allocation of $696,789.93 from Disaster Recovery Fund 5303.
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Tom McCasland, Director