Housing and Community Development Department

Press Release

HCD Fall Open House and 2018 Annual Action Plan Public Hearings

November 21, 2017 -- Do you see a need or opportunity in your neighborhood and wonder how to get the City involved? The City of Houston’s Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) is giving the public opportunities on Nov. 30 and Dec. 7 to provide input on how the City should invest approximately $40 million in federal funds over the next year to improve Houston neighborhoods and quality of life for low- and moderate-income families. Information about current HCD programs will also be available, as will staff who run the programs.

“We want the public to know that we hear them and have not forgotten that there are needs to be met, and we are going to make ourselves as accessible as possible,” said HCD Director Tom McCasland.

Open houses will be held Thursday, Nov. 30, 6-8 p.m. at the Third Ward Multi-Service Center, 3611 Ennis Street, and Thursday, Dec. 7, 6-8 p.m. at the Kashmere Multi-Service Center, 4802 Lockwood Drive. For those who cannot make it to the meetings, Facebook Live (facebook.com/HoustonHCDD) will be available. Citizens can also interact with us on Twitter using the hashtag #HCDDaction. A community needs survey is also available for additional input on the department’s website: www.houstontx.gov/housing.

The department’s open house events are being designed to remove the stigma of bureaucracy and encourage the public to get involved. Citizens will be able to engage with program managers and participate in interactive activities that demonstrate how to get from idea to visible impact. After learning more about the department and interacting with staff, citizens will be able to provide on-the-spot feedback during the public hearing portion of the event.

Both open houses are accessible by METRO bus. For public transportation, use METRO route 4 or 9 to reach the Third Ward Multi-Service Center, and Routes 3 or 80 to reach the Kashmere Multi-Service Center.

For more information about the open houses and public hearings, or to request special arrangements such as foreign language translation, sign language, interpreter or captioning for the hearing impaired, contact Brittany Hyman at 832-394-6178 or via email at Brittany.Hyman@houstontx.gov. Requests for special arrangements must be made in advance.