FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Proposed path forward meets CDBG-DR timelines, preserves full project scopes, and creates an opportunity for approximately $125 million in additional CDBG-MIT projects.

The Harris County Flood Control District, in coordination with the Harris County Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), is advancing a coordinated plan and path forward to protect federal investment in Harris County.

The plan focuses on the $322 million CDBG-DR contract between the Texas General Land Office (GLO) and the Flood Control District. It was developed in collaboration with the GLO and is designed to:

• Complete CDBG-DR projects within agreed-upon timeline (current deadline is February 28, 2027);
• Deliver the full scope of projects originally included in CDBG-DR, HCD’s CDBG-MIT program, and the Flood Control District’s CDBG-MIT program; and
• Create the opportunity for approximately $125 million in additional work through HCD’s CDBG-MIT program.

Harris County was placed in a difficult position upon receiving these CDBG funds in October 2023: deliver complex, large-scale flood risk reduction projects under strict federal timelines, evolving program requirements, construction market pressures, and funding structures that were not originally designed for this level of accelerated delivery. In response, the Flood Control District, the GLO, and partners have continued to innovate, shifting from a project-by-project approach toward a more coordinated program structure, using procurement and delivery strategies to move work faster, and aligning funding sources to keep projects moving.

This proposed path forward represents the next step in that evolution. It builds on the lessons learned during implementation, moves beyond traditional government processes, and uses coordinated program management, strategic phasing, and cross-agency funding alignment to protect federal dollars and maximize community benefits.

“This plan keeps Harris County moving forward,” said Dr. Tina Petersen, executive director of the Flood Control District. “We’ve worked closely with the GLO to develop this plan, and it builds on the partnership we’ve had with their office since before the program began. It protects federal funding, maintains and strengthens our commitment to communities, and ensures residents receive the flood risk reduction benefits these programs were designed to deliver. The funding strategy may be changing, but our commitment to delivering these projects remains the same.”

All CDBG-DR projects have been bid for construction, seven projects totaling more than $70 million are under active construction, and four more are expected to enter construction by the end of June. Three CDBG-MIT projects totaling more than $65 million are also under active construction.

With construction timelines and spending projections now clearer, the Flood Control District and HCD are proposing to take three coordinated actions:

• Phase Projects Across Programs. This allows the Flood Control District to meet the CDBG-DR deadline while preserving the full scope and intended benefits of current projects. Phase 1 of projects will be delivered under CDBG-DR with Phase 2 delivered under CDBG-MIT funding.
• Advance Fast-Moving CDBG-Funded Projects. Move seven subdivision drainage projects from HCD’s CDBG-MIT program into the CDBG-DR program. This maximizes eligible CDBG-DR spending and frees approximately $125 million in HCD’s CDBG-MIT program for additional mitigation work.
• Develop Options for any Remaining CDBG-DR Funds. The Flood Control District and HCD will continue evaluating eligible opportunities, including planning studies, additional subdivision drainage projects, project transfers, and acceleration strategies.

The Flood Control District will present the proposed path forward for discussion and possible action at the June 11, 2026, meeting of Harris County Commissioners Court.

“The Texas General Land Office continues to work side by side with Harris County Flood Control to find practical solutions for the challenges presented by federal deadlines,” said Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D. “However, this plan only works if Harris County leaders address systematic process improvements to expedite approvals and get projects moving faster. My advice is simple: eliminate unnecessary delays, expedite processes, and deliver results for the citizens of Harris County.”

“This plan will help keep the promises we’ve made to communities, and I applaud Dr. Petersen and the Flood Control District team for relentlessly working to get us here, which has been no easy task,” said Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia. “Residents expect us to use every available tool and strategy to reduce flood risk, protect neighborhoods, and move projects forward with urgency. The GLO is right that we must continue improving processes, removing unnecessary delays, and accelerating delivery. That is exactly what this plan is designed to do. This program had many inherent challenges from the very beginning when it was originally constructed. Even with projects in an advanced state, there was still engineering work needed to move this work forward. That, coupled with changing environmental regulations, required significant work. Current Flood Control leadership and staff have been tirelessly working to address those issues, strengthen project delivery, and get these critical projects completed for the people of Harris County.”

“In Harris County, we know it’s just a matter of time before the next big storm hits. Our families deserve to be safe from the devastating impacts of repetitive flooding,” said Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones. “Since receiving CDBG-DR funding in 2023, we have been laser focused on timely delivering these projects. I’m thankful to Texas General Land Office Commissioner Dawn Buckingham for her fairness and for partnering with us on a solution. In Harris County, we must do our part to expedite processes, eliminate delays, avoid unnecessary drama, and cut red tape. Together, we can keep critical projects moving, protect federal dollars, and strengthen the long-term safety and resiliency for the Texans who need it most.”

“This is a clear win for Harris County and a strong example of agencies working together to solve a complex funding challenge and deliver real benefits for residents,” said Thao Costis, executive director of HCD. “By coordinating across CDBG-DR and CDBG-MIT programs, we can protect disaster recovery funding, keep committed projects moving, and create new opportunity for $125 million in additional mitigation investments.”

All elements of the approach remain subject to applicable HUD and GLO rules, regulations, reviews, and approvals.