Mayor Whitmire's Statement on Working with the Texas General Land Office to Help Houstonians
1/5/2024, 2:49 p.m.
Mayor John Whitmire
Mayor John Whitmire issued the following statement today after receiving a letter from Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham congratulating him on taking office and promising to work with the City of Houston to help people waiting for Harvey federal relief.
According to Commissioner Buckingham, the City has a little over $200 million in CDBG-DR housing funding that has yet to be spent. The GLO, she wrote, "is ready to help wrap up the programs in the most effective and transparent way possible."
Statement from Mayor Whitmire:
"During my time in the Texas Legislature, I built strong relationships with the leadership in Austin, which has already started to benefit the people of Houston. I have spoken with Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham. After my swearing-in, she posted on her social media something I strongly agree with; "when natural disasters hit, floodwaters don't adhere to political boundaries. I am excited to work with Commissioner Buckingham, and we will create a plan to ensure the $200 million Harvey federal relief fund is distributed as quickly and equitably as possible to those who qualify and need it. We will have an announcement as soon as we work out the details. We will move beyond the historic political fighting with the State during my administration."
