Houston's newly minted Mayor, John Whitmire is taking charge, reaching across the aisle to secure rapid deployment of much-needed relief funds for Harvey victims. Whitmire's proactive engagement with Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham indicates that Houstonians still waiting for federal aid might soon see some action.
In a gesture of solidarity, Commissioner Buckingham sent congratulations to Mayor Whitmire on his recent assumption of office, with a pledge to collaborate effectively, and transparently. According to a statement obtained by the Mayor's Office, over $200 million in CDBG-DR housing funding is yet untapped. Buckingham assures that the GLO "is ready to help wrap up the programs in the most effective and transparent way possible".
Mayor Whitmire, bringing his legislative experience to the forefront, recognizes this as an opportunity to expedite the assistance process. "During my time in the Texas Legislature, I built strong relationships with the leadership in Austin, which have already started to benefit the people of Houston," Whitmire stated, according to the Mayor's Office. He has laid out his intent to work closely with state officials to advance the disbursement of the Harvey relief funds without delay.
An announcement is expected soon once the intricacies of the plan are ironed out, with a keen focus on equitable distribution. In the spirit of moving past political gridlock, Whitmire told the Mayor's Office that, he is "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." Residents who've been caught in the whirlwind of disaster bureaucracy, may finally catch a break.
