Department of Neighborhoods launches bilingual messaging service
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The Department of Neighborhoods has launched Neighborhood Updates, a new way for Houstonians to stay informed about COVID-19 recovery resources, essential city services, and seasonal advisories via telephone voice and text messages in English and Spanish.
The new service is caters to seniors and persons with disabilities who require communications by voice or text, and residents who prefer information in Spanish.
As the city fights the coronavirus pandemic, Neighborhood Updates will give priority to notifications about COVID-19 testing, health safety practices, and recovery resources.
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Register for Mental Health, Healing and Wellness Virtual Town Hall
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Mayor Sylvester Turner and the Houston Health Equity Response (H.E.R.) Task Force invite you to the second installment of the H.E.R virtual town hall series, Mental Health in Minority Communities During the Pandemic.
Hosted by the Task Force’s Faith Community Leaders Subcommittee, the live and interactive forum will be from 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. on Friday, August 21, 2020.
“I know the COVID-19 pandemic is causing great distress for many of us. That is why it is important to share what you are feeling and to know that you are not alone,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “Whatever you are feeling right now: hope, sadness, frustration or happiness. They are all valid and OK. Having healthy outlets to explore these feelings is what is important. That is the goal of the virtual town hall. We want you to be empowered as you navigate these unprecedented times.”
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Complete Your Community: Respond to the Census by September 30
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Completing the Census is one the easiest, but most important ways you can do to make an impact on your community without even leaving the comfort of your home. But time is running out. The self-response deadline has changed from October 31 to September 30, cutting short our opportunities to count each and every Houstonian.
Census enumerators are out in your community, helping folks answer those 10 quick questions, but don’t wait for them to knock on your door. Census data gives policymakers the tools to make informed decisions about federally funded programs that assist our neighborhoods. Funding for medical care, pre-school and after school programs, affordable home development, and disaster recovery all depends on Census data, and Census data depends on all of us.
Respond today by visiting my2020census.gov or call 844.330.2020 for English, 844.468.2020 for Spanish.
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Help is Available Through COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program
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The City of Houston is providing a second round of rent relief for City of Houston/ Harris County tenants experiencing economic hardship from COVID-19. Landlords must agree to the terms of the program and will be paid directly by Baker Ripley.
Mayor Sylvester Turner is also asking landlords to waive late fees and interest on late payments, agree to a payment plan and refrain from evictions through September 2020.
Landlords can enroll in the Houston Rental Assistance Program until August 26. Tenants can begin to apply to receive up to $2,112 for delinquent rent from August 24-30.
Funding for the City’s second rental relief package includes $15 million from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, also known as the CARES Act, and $5 million from private donors:
· $2 million from the Houston Endowment
· $1 million from the Greater Houston COVID-19 Recovery Fund
· $1 million from the Kinder Foundation
· $1 million from Texans owner and co-founder Janice McNair
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Heat Illness Safety Tips from Houston Fire Department
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The Houston Fire Department reminds residents about the importance of taking safety measures when outdoors to avoid heat-related medical emergencies, this also includes making sure caregivers “Look Before They Lock” for children and pets left in vehicles.
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Get Artsy Every Last Thursday of the Month
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The Houston Arts Alliance is part of a collective of local Houston-area arts organizations hosting a virtual town hall for artists, arts leaders, and arts lovers on the last Thursday of every month at 2 p.m.
The purpose of the town hall is to create a connection between members of our community in a moment of isolation.
Join the event to share, listen, witness, get and give support during a difficult time.
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Help Shape Community Health in Acres Homes
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The Be Well Communities team in partnership with Harris Health System, Memorial Hermann Community Benefit Corporation and UTHealth School of Public Health is hosting a virtual community meeting in Acres Homes on August 26 from 9:30 – 11 a.m.
Join the meeting to hear updates from the Mayor’s Office of Complete Communities on the Acres Homes Community Action Plan and to learn from other key leaders about work underway in the community. In this meeting, attendees will prioritize the next critical actions steps for the Acres Home community to help shape the future of health in Acres Homes.
Be Well Communities™ is an initiative of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center that unites individuals, schools, workplaces, government agencies, health care providers and non-profit organizations to plan and carry out sustainable, community-led solutions that will make positive, long-lasting changes in people’s lives. Be Well Communities works with communities to promote wellness and stop cancer before it starts.
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Masks, food, multi-lingual medical resources distribution on August 22
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The Mayor’s Health Equity Response Task Force, in conjunction with medical care and faith community leaders, are hosting a distribution event from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 22 at Notre Dame Catholic Church, 7720 Boon Road. Food, milk, masks, COVID-19 information and educational resources will be available in multiple languages. View full versions of the flyers.
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COVID-19 Testing
Extended to Sept. 30
Free COVID-19 testing at Crump Stadium, 12321 High Star Road, has been extended through September 30. Registration is required to get tested.
FREE COVID-19
call 844-778-2455
SE REQUIERE INSCRIPCIÓN.
O LLAME AL 844-778-2455
HOẶC GỌI 844-778-2455
或致电844-778-2455
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Census 2020 in Westwood
Higher Dimension promoted the Census on Saturday August 1 for their monthly P.E.A.C.E. Day in Westwood.
The current Census response rate for Alief is 53% and Westwood is 42%.
To help promote Census 2020, please contact Sasha Marshall at 832-393-6547, or at [email protected]
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Fort Bend County Distributes Free PPE Kits
Fort Bend County will hold three distribution events for Personal Protective Equipment including surgical masks, wipes, hand soap and sanitizer on three days:
August 21 at Pinnacle Senior Center, 5525 Hobby St. in Houston.
August 28 at Cinco Ranch Library, 2620 Commercial Center Blvd. in Katy.
September 4 at Four Corners Center, 15700 Old Richmond Rd. in Sugar Land.
All events will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. until supplies last.
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Hilcroft Safety Improvement Project
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With a dedicated focus on improving street safety and quality of life for all, the City of Houston is proposing the Hillcroft Safety Project for the Gulfton community. Building on Mayor Sylvester Turner’s Complete Communities program, the Hillcroft Safety Project aims to improve the comfort level and safe movement of all users with the installation of new sidewalks, safe crossings, transit access, protected bikeways, and improved lighting along the corridor.
Houston Public Works will hold a virtual public meeting on
Thursday, August 27 at 6:30 p.m. on Microsoft Teams.
Houston Public Works needs your help. Your participation in this virtual meeting will influence the outcome
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