HUD points to discrimination when state denied flood aid to city, county

(Houston Chronicle, Dylan McGuinness and Jasper Scherer, Updated 03/09/22. Photo: Godofredo A. Vasquez)

“In a decision that could redirect millions of dollars in flood relief to Houston, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development found the Texas General Land Office discriminated against minority residents and ran afoul of federal civil rights protections when it denied flood mitigation aid last May to the areas hardest hit by Hurricane Harvey. “

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Residents want creosote removed

(Houston Chronicle, Emily Foxhall, Updated 03/01/22. Photo by Brett Coomer.)

“Activist Sandra Edwards didn’t want Black History Month to pass her by without again calling attention to Union Pacific’s failure to remove all the toxic creosote that seeped into the groundwater and soil at the end of her street in Fifth Ward.

Residents in this historically Black community are tired of fighting for change — but still they press on, promising they’re not going to stop. “

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Years after Harvey, family is finally home

(Houston Chronicle, R. A. Schuetz, Updated 03/03/22. Photo by Yi-Chin Lee.)

“Sister and brother Juanita and Clifton Hall were two of thousands who applied for federal aid to fix their flood-damaged home, only to be caught in red tape and infighting between Houston and the Texas General Land Office, which administers disaster recovery funds statewide. The prolonged delays in distributing assistance has drawn scrutiny from the Office of Inspector General, which is tasked with government oversight.

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