Governmental Affairs & Advocacy Toolkit

Flood mitigation is the process of diverting or storing floodwaters into wetlands, floodplains, canals, pipes, reservoirs or other conduits to help reduce the overall risk of experiencing flood damage or to lessen the severity of flood damage when it does occur.

Why We Care

Flood mitigation and resiliency is an issue that lawmakers at the local, state and federal level each play a role in addressing, and one that requires collaboration between all three levels of government. HAR is committed to working with other stakeholders to reduce the risk of flooding in our communities.

• • Space City Weather– Local Weather Updates
  • The Eyewall– Hurricane Updates
  • Readyharris.org– Harris County Emergency Information
  • ReadyMCTX– Montgomery County Emergency Information
  • Ready Fort Bend– Fort Bend County Emergency Information
  • Galveston County Emergency Information
  • Brazoria County Emergency Information
  • METRO Hurricane Preparedness Guide
  • Apply for Disaster Assistance
  • City of Houston 311 Service Request Portal
  • United Way Houston Disaster Recovery
  • Evacuation Routes
  • Road Conditions
  • Pets & Livestock

Infrastructure is defined as the basic physical and organizational structures and facilities needed for the operation of a society or enterprise. Examples of infrastructure are buildings, roads, pipelines, railways, power supplies, bridges, water supplies, sewers, etc.

Why We Care

Building and maintaining strong and sustainable infrastructure is arguably one of the government’s most important functions and it requires communication and collaboration between all levels of government. At HAR, improving our infrastructure is one of the Governmental Affairs and Advocacy Team’s top priorities, and we advocate on all levels of government to help achieve our collective infrastructure goals. We advocate for infrastructure improvements to help combat flooding, improve mobility, increase walkability and accessibility and more. Below are some helpful resources that will help to answer your infrastructure-related questions!

How It Works

• • City of Houston Public Works
    • Manages water, wastewater, streets and drainage systems in the City of Houston.
  • County Commissioners Courts
    • Oversees the county budget and maintains county facilities, roads and bridges in all of Texas’s 254 counties.
  • Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC)
    • The regional organization tasked with planning for transportation and infrastructure.
  • Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO)
    • Manages public transportation services in the Houston Metro Area.
  • Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)
    • Oversees state highways and transportation projects.

Like many other states in America, Texas schools run on a public school system where schools provide tuition-free education to all children. Public school funding in Texas comes from school district property taxes, state funds and federal funds.

Why We Care

At HAR, we understand that successful school districts mean increased home values, a more sustainable workforce for the future and an overall better learning environment for our youth. We work with our partners at Texas REALTORS® and NAR, elected officials, school districts as well as other organizations in order to achieve our collective goal of bettering public education in Texas and Houston.

How It Works

• • Texas Education Agency (TEA): Oversees public education statewide, setting standards and policies for schools.
  • Houston Independent School District (HISD): The largest school district in Houston with more than 270 schools.
  • Harris County Department of Education (HCDE): Provides education services to local school districts in Harris County.
  • Local School Districts: Other districts such as Spring Branch ISD, Alief ISD, Katy ISD and many many more.

• • HAR School Finder
  • Harris County School Districts
  • Harris County Department of Education
  • Montgomery County School Districts
  • Fort Bend County School Districts
  • Brazoria County School Districts
  • Texas School District Locator
  • Texas Education Agency
  • HISD Community Resource Guide
  • City of Houston Education Resources

Housing and economic development are two of the bedrocks of any community. Some roles governments can play in housing include taxation, permitting or zoning, regulating, and many more. Economic development goes hand in hand with housing because, without good jobs surrounding good housing, a community would not be able to survive.

Why We Care

Access to affordable and quality housing is not only a basic human need but also a fundamental driver of economic growth. Stable housing provides individuals and families with security, enabling them to participate more effectively in the workforce and contribute to their communities. Economic development policies and initiatives can significantly impact housing affordability, availability, and quality. HAR can assist in contacting local and state representatives for any personal issues you may have. HAR works closely with state and local governments to determine critical housing issues that we prioritize.

How It Works

• • The City of Houston Housing and Community Development Department (HCDD) is responsible for various initiatives aimed at improving housing options, community development, and quality of life for residents of Houston.
    • Affordable Housing Programs: HCDD administers programs HCDD administers programs to increase the availability of affordable housing for low- and moderate-income individuals and families. This includes rental assistance, homebuyer assistance, and development of affordable housing units.
    • Neighborhood Revitalization: HCDD works to revitalize neighborhoods in Houston by investing in infrastructure improvements, affordable housing developments, and community facilities.
    • Community Development Block Grants (CDBG): HCDD manages federal funding from programs like the CDBG, which provides grants to local governments to support a wide range of community development activities, including affordable housing, infrastructure improvements, and economic development projects.
    • Homeless Services: HCDD may coordinate, or support programs and services aimed at addressing homelessness in Houston, such as emergency shelters, transitional housing, and supportive services for homeless individuals and families.
    • Fair Housing Initiatives: HCDD works to promote fair housing practices and address housing discrimination through education, outreach, and enforcement of fair housing laws.
    • Planning and Policy Development: HCDD develops housing policies, plans, and strategies to address the housing needs of Houston residents, including conducting research, data analysis, and community engagement to inform decision-making.
    • Contact your Houston City Council member for questions regarding city-administered housing programs.
  • The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs serves as the state agency responsible for the financing and monitoring of most of the affordable housing developed in Texas. The Department administers state and federal funding to combat homelessness and provide community-based and energy assistance to residents in need through partnerships with cities and counties that receive no direct allocation of federal housing dollars (Non-Participating Jurisdictions), nonprofit and community-based organizations, private developers, and public housing authorities.
    • Contact your state representative with questions regarding state-administered housing programs.
  • The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development administers the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program, the Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance, Housing for the Elderly (Section 202) and Persons with Disabilities (Section 811), Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), and Homelessness Assistance Programs (Continuum of Care, Emergency Solutions Grants, and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS).
    • Contact your federal representative for questions regarding federally administered housing programs.

By revising tax codes and introducing incentives for small businesses and startups, Houston aims to stimulate investment and job creation while ensuring that the burden of taxation is fairly distributed across the community.

Why We Care

HAR works closely with state and local policymakers regarding tax reform. If there is a specific issue that you would like to see addressed, reach out to HAR to see if this is something we can help advocate. At HAR, we focus on tax reform issues as they directly impact property values, affordability, homeowner rights, and economic development.

How It Works

• • Harris County Appraisal District (HCAD): HCAD determines the value of all taxable property within Harris County, including Houston. If you believe your property has been overvalued or if you have questions about your property’s valuation, you can contact HCAD to inquire or file a protest.
  • Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office: This office is responsible for collecting property taxes in Houston. They can provide information about tax rates, payment options, exemptions, and any other inquiries related to property taxes in the city.
  • Houston City Council: Your city council representative may be able to aid or direct you to the appropriate resources for property tax issues within the city of Houston.

• • Harris County Appraisal District
  • Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector
  • Find Your Houston City Council Member
  • Frequently Asked Questions for HCAD

Public safety refers to the measures, policies, and initiatives implemented by governments and communities to protect individuals from harm, ensure their well-being, and maintain order within society. It encompasses various aspects such as law enforcement, emergency response, disaster preparedness, crime prevention, and public health initiatives.

Why We Care

At HAR, we know that public safety affects homeowners directly. Public safety directly affects property values, market perception, client satisfaction, community development, regulatory environments, and ethical considerations.

How It Works

• • Law Enforcement: The Houston Police Department (HPD) and other local police departments are responsible for maintaining law and order, preventing crime, and responding to emergencies. HPD employs various units specialized in different aspects of law enforcement, such as patrol, investigations, narcotics, and SWAT.
  • Emergency Services: Cities and counties in our region have robust emergency services, including the Houston Fire Department (HFD), which responds to fires, medical emergencies, and other disasters. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) teams provide medical assistance and transport to hospitals.
  • Community Policing Initiatives: HPD engages in community policing strategies to build trust and collaboration between law enforcement and the communities they serve. This involves programs such as neighborhood watch, community outreach events, and citizen advisory committees.
  • Disaster Preparedness and Response: Given Greater Houston’s susceptibility to hurricanes and other natural disasters, the cities and counties in our area invest in disaster preparedness and response efforts. This includes evacuation planning, emergency shelters, and coordination with state and federal agencies during emergencies.