Hurricane Harvey Recovery Centers and Survey Are Open

April 16th, 2019

Houston Councilman Dave Martin would like to remind residents who were impacted by Hurricane Harvey to apply for assistance through recovery programs and resources under the City of Houston Homeowner Assistance Program (HoAP).

The Recovery Survey is the first step and tool to direct residents to the appropriate recovery program and to help the city prioritize those with urgent needs. No documentation is required to take the Recovery Survey, and it takes less than 15 minutes to complete. While priority will be given to low and moderate income homeowners, assistance is available to homeowners of all income levels. An intake specialist will contact you after you complete the survey regarding the next steps.

The survey can be taken:

If you need assistance filling out the Survey, please call 832-393-0550 or visit one of the stationary HRC’s:

  • Northeast: 9551 N. Wayside, Houston, Texas 77028
  • Northwest: 13101 Northwest Freeway [Hwy. 290], Suite 101, Houston, Texas 77040
  • Southwest: 6464 Savoy Drive, Suite 110, Houston, Texas 77036
  • Southeast: 11550 Fuqua St., 3rd floor, Houston, Texas 77036 (in District E)

The stationary centers are open Monday and Tuesday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 9 to 3 p.m. These centers are closed on Sundays. For a map, click here.

The city received the $1.17 billion for housing recovery through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the State of Texas General Land Office. The recovery funds include the HoAP, which offers five program options including:

  • Reimbursement for completed repairs
  • Homeowner-managed rehabilitation
  • City-managed rehabilitation and reconstruction
  • Buyouts
  • Interim mortgage assistance.

For more information regarding this program, please contact the Houston Recovery Center by calling 832-393-0550.

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A letter to District E residents from Councilman Dave Martin

February 5th, 2018

In January, the City of Houston began to send out Substantial Damage Letters to City of Houston residents living in the 100-year flood plain or floodway. Residents that do not live in the 100-year flood plain or floodway should not receive Substantial Damage Letters.

What is Substantial Damage? Substantial Damage means that the cost of restoring property to its pre- damage condition equals or exceeds 50% of the market value of the structure. For example, if the total cost to repair a home is $60,000 and the home is worth $100,000, the home is 60% damaged, making it substantially damaged.

I am more than sensitive to the devastation that this letter can bring to homeowners, but rest assured homeowner’s do have options. There is no reason to stop your renovations or feel that you are trapped.

If the city determines a home to be substantially damaged, the homeowner has the following options to obtain a flood damage repair permit:

1. Appeal the Substantial Damage Determination

Complete and submit the city’s Appeal of Substantial Damage Determination Appeal Form at https://www.publicworks.houstontx.gov/notices/flood-damage- repair.html along with the required documentation demonstrating that your home or building is not substantially damaged (insurance proof of loss or personal proof of loss). This form and the required documentation can be submitted via email [email protected], US Mail or in person at the city’s Floodplain Management Office (FMO). FMO will respond in writing. If a homeowner disagrees with FMO’s response to their appeal they can take their appeal to the City’s General Appeal Board.

2. Show the flood damaged home is already in compliance by submitting an Elevation Certificate

To be compliant a home must meet the elevation requirements (lowest living floor must be 12 inches above Base Flood Elevation (BFE) in the 100-year floodplain, lowest horizontal member must be 18 inches above BFE in the floodway) and performance standards described in Chapter 19. For most structures, this will require submittal of an Elevation Certificate, based on the current surveying standards.

3. Bring the flood damaged home into compliance

This is the option that people fixate on but after speaking with representatives at the Flood Plain Management office our office has found this to be very rare.

Should a homeowner choose to elevate their home it must be elevated to meet elevation requirements (lowest living floor must be 12 inches above Base Flood Elevation (BFE) in the 100-year floodplain, lowest horizontal member must be 18 inches above BFE in the floodway) and performance standards described in Chapter 19. Performance standards include, but are not limited to, flood resistant materials, flood-protected utilities and adequate flood openings.

The District E Staff has assisted several residents, answering questions they have regarding their substantial damage letters as well as helping those obtain verification of substantial damage in the case they have not yet received a letter, but suspect they might. If you think your home is substantially damaged but have not received a letter, please email [email protected] and the office can assist you with requesting verification. You can also email the District E office if you would like assistance with the appeals process.

We understand that these letters are extremely discouraging but want to make sure residents are aware of the resources needed to appeal and carry-on with rebuilding. If you have any questions or would like more information, my office would be happy to provide you with a Substantial Damage Info Sheet and assist you with answering any questions you may have regarding the process. You may contact the District E office by calling 832-393- 3008 or by emailing [email protected].

“The District E office is always a resource to residents and we will all get through this together, stay Houston strong!” Councilman Martin said.

 

Sincerely,

Dave Martin

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Curbside Recycling Collection service resumes Monday, Nov. 13

October 30th, 2017

Houston Councilman Dave Martin would like to make city of Houston residents aware, after a two-and- a-half-month suspension due to Hurricane Harvey recovery efforts, Houston’s Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD) will resume its curbside recycling collection schedule starting Monday, Nov.13. The resumption of service is as follows:

“B Week” collection will begin the week of Monday, Nov. 13.

“A Week” collection will begin the week of Monday, Nov. 20.

As curbside recycling collection reboots, customers are encouraged to place only the following items in their green recycling carts: paper, cardboard, clean food cartons, plastic containers #1-5 and #7, aluminum cans and bi metal cans. A detailed list of accepted items can be found on SWMD website. Customers are also reminded that glass is not accepted in the curbside containers, but can be recycled at all City recycling drop-off locations. The recycling link previously mentioned lists those locations and has them mapped.

Here are a few other reminders to remember after the recycling hiatus:

1. No Hurricane Harvey Debris should be in the recycling cart. While we recognize that many customers used their carts to haul demolition material to the curb immediately after Harvey, material of that type is not recyclable and is considered trash.

2. Recycling should be loose and not bagged in the cart. Loose material speeds the processing line and ensures that contamination is kept at a minimum.

3. Glass is not accepted at this time and should be taken to a convenient drop-off site.

4. Junk Waste and Yard Waste services remain suspended until further notice. Those crews continue to work on Hurricane Harvey debris removal.

5. All city drop-off locations continue to work on a 7-day schedule until further notice. These sites include the Neighborhood Depositories, Westpark Recycling Center and the Environmental Service Center. Remember to check with 3-1- 1 or the SWMD webpage for operating hours.

6. The Recycling Collection Schedule is found here.

7. All Solid Waste Services Collection Day Information can be found here.

For more information about the City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department and its services, residents may check online at www.houstonsolidwaste.org, like their page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/houstonsolidwaste, follow them on twitter @houstontrash or call 3-1- 1, (713-837- 0311), the City of Houston’s Customer Service Helpline.

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Town Hall meetings canceled

September 6th, 2017

Houston Councilman Dave Martin has cancelled the upcoming town hall meetings in Kingwood, scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 12, and in Clear Lake, Thursday, Sept. 14, until further notice. Due to the recent weather events and catastrophic flooding in the areas, the District E office is and will continue to focus its efforts on the recovery of the council district, as well as the City of Houston.

“At this time, an alternate date has not been scheduled. Once we confirm a new date with our scheduled speakers, we will notify the community,” Martin said, adding the District E office continues to work from remote locations, and the best way to reach the office is [email protected]

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Solid Waste collection schedule announced

August 31st, 2017

Houston Councilman Dave Martin would like to make city of Houston residents aware that the Solid Waste Management Department will be suspending some of its collection services, specifically yard waste, recycling and junk waste/tree waste.

Department operations are to be focused on the current public health issues confronting the city in the wake of Hurricane Harvey’s aftermath. Services for self-serve operations will be expanded to accommodate residents who have already begun property removal. Neighborhood depository services will immediately move to a 7-day schedule until further notice. The department is focusing its efforts on disaster debris efforts to speed Houstonians property damage issues.

The Solid Waste Management Department appreciates our customers’ patience as we all recover from the disaster. Normal collection services will resume on the schedule as follows:

DISASTER STORM DEBRIS – FLOOD AND WIND:

Disaster Debris from Hurricane Harvey will be collected on an ongoing basis until all material has been collected. Please place your debris at the curb as soon as possible. It is essential the piles be accessible by the collection crews therefore please do not park on the street blocking piles, and make sure the material is clear of tree branches, fire hydrants, utility lines. Please divide debris into the following categories.

Vegetative debris — leaves (do not put in bags), logs, plants, tree branches.
• Construction and demolition debris — building materials, carpet, drywall, furniture, lumber, mattresses and plumbing.
• Appliances and white goods — air conditioners, dishwashers, freezers, refrigerators, stoves, washers, dryers and water heaters.
• Electronics — computers, radios, stereos, televisions, other devices with a cord.
• Household hazardous waste — cleaning supplies, batteries, lawn chemical, oils, oil-based paints, stains and pesticides

GARBAGE COLLECTION:

• Thursday, Aug. 31 — Thursday’s garbage collection will begin with normal schedule.
• Friday, Sept. 1 — Friday’s garbage collection will be collected.
• Monday, Sept. 4 — No collection in observance of Labor Day
• Tuesday, Sept. 5 — Monday’s garbage will be collected.
• Wednesday, Sept. 6 — Tuesday’s garbage will be collected
• Thursday, Sept. 7 — Normal garbage schedule resumes for all collection days.

YARDWASTE COLLECTION:

Yardwaste collection will be suspended until further notice due to the need of extra personnel for debris collection for disaster recovery.

JUNK WASTE AND TREE WASTE COLLECTION:

Normally scheduled Junk and Tree Waste collections will be suspended until further notice as all related personnel will be assigned to disaster debris collections.

RECYCLING COLLECTION:

Curbside single stream recycling collection will be suspended until further notice. All additional personnel will be assigned to debris collection for disaster recovery.

*Note: All Neighborhood Depository and Recycling Center sites will be on a seven day schedule, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. beginning Thursday Aug. 31. To continue recycling during this time, residents may bring their recyclables to these sites listed below, or to the Westpark Recycling Center, which will maintain its normal 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Saturday schedule. Facilities will be CLOSED Monday 9/4/17 for Labor Day.

Houston residents may utilize these Solid Waste Management neighborhood depositories:

• NORTH – N. Main Neighborhood Depository – 9003 N. Main
• NORTHWEST – Sommermeyer Neighborhood Depository – 14400 Sommermeyer
• NORTHEAST – Kirkpatrick Neighborhood Depository – 5565 Kirkpatrick
• SOUTH – Sunbeam Neighborhood Depository – 5100 Sunbeam
• SOUTHWEST – Southwest Neighborhood Depository – 10785 SW Freeway
•SOUTHEAST – Central Neighborhood Depository – 2240 Central St.

Please note, household garbage, electronics or household hazardous waste are not accpted at the neighborhood depositories.

Each user must provide the following as proof of residency:

• A current Texas Driver’s license (a current Texas Department of Public Safety issued I.D. may be substituted) or a Texas License to Carry and
• A current utility bill or city property tax receipt. Addresses and names on all presented documents must match Texas Driver’s License or ID.
* Electronic records are NOT accepted.
• RECYCLING ONLY – No proof of residency required.
• NO PETS allowed on premises.

For more information about the City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department and its services, residents may check online at www.houstonsolidwaste.org, like their page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/houstonsolidwaste, follow us on twitter @houstontrash or call 3-1-1, (713-837-0311), the City of Houston’s Customer Service Helpline.

The District E office continues to work from remote locations and the best way to reach the office is [email protected].

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