The Thomas Telegraph | Vol. 7, Issue 14 – August 1, 2025

Let’s talk about redistricting.
This week, proposed maps out of Austin show our district being split across four congressional seats. Alief ISD alone would be divided between TX-07, TX-08, and TX-18, and Briarmeadow would shift from TX-07 to TX-38. That’s not just a map change—it’s a direct blow to the power of cohesive neighborhoods and majority-minority communities. We cannot afford to dilute our collective voice. Imagine having to engage four different federal representatives after a disaster just to secure resources. That’s not only inefficient—it’s unacceptable. Now is the time to act. Submit your comments to the Texas House and Senate Committees and tell your State Representatives: hold the line and reject this mid-decade redistricting scheme.

Protecting What Matters—Our Homes and Neighborhoods
We’re still in hurricane season, and protecting our homes has never been more urgent. If your house was impacted by Winter Storm Uri in 2021 and you paid for repairs, you could qualify for up to $10,000 in reimbursement through the City’s new Home Repair/Reimbursement Program. This is your federal tax dollars coming back to support you—when you need it the most.

Apply now and take advantage of the support while it’s available. Watch the PSA below in the newsletter to learn more.

South Gessner CIP Update
Houston Public Works hosted a follow-up meeting this week on the transportation study for South Gessner. I’m proud to share: Gessner will not be expanded to four lanes. Your feedback was heard, and I encourage you to stay involved by following updates on Engage Houston. Watch the recap. Read the summary.

Chelford City – Almost There
The Diversion Package 3 project is nearing completion. I’ve met with the project manager directly and voiced your concerns about street conditions. Once the project wraps, we’ll do a full audit—any damage caused by construction will be addressed.

Ashton Village
The SWAT infrastructure project for Ashton Village is moving forward. I anticipate a council action in September to approve the contract. Thank you for your patience—we’re getting close.

Carver Crest / Piney Point
Squatting continues to be one of the most difficult issues for long-established neighborhoods. I want to thank the residents of Piney Point for standing strong and sharing your stories. The Houston Chronicle featured your fight—read the piece in the District F In The News section below and stay involved.

Disaster Recovery: CDBG-DR24
Over the past two months, I’ve kept you informed about the proposed action plan for Hurricane Beryl and Derecho recovery. Initially, not a dollar was allocated for housing. After public pushback, $50M was added—and last week, I offered an amendment to increase that to $100M.

Here’s how the proposed CDBG-DR24 funding now breaks down (pending August 13 vote):

Housing (repair & multifamily) – $100M
Debris removal – $8M
Vegetation Management (removing trees from power lines) $32M
Homelessness support – $40M
Public Safety – Equipment & vehicles ($15M)
Generators – Power for key public facilities ($101M)

This is a big win for Houston. It means we’re not just reacting—we’re rebuilding with intention. And remember keep every receipt during a storm. When funding comes, you may qualify for reimbursement.

3rd Annual Swim Safety Clinic – Thank You!
Our Swim Safety Clinic on July 26th was a major success. Thank you to every parent, volunteer, and partner who made this event impactful. Tragically, the importance was underscored just a day prior when a 5-year-old drowned at an apartment complex pool on Hayes Rd. This is why we keep showing up. Thank you to our sponsors: HPARD, Houston Waves Swim Club, Coach CPR, Walmart, Outdoor Afro, and of course—Team District F.

Solid Waste – Thank You for Your Patience
Service delays have varied across the district, and I appreciate your ongoing patience. As we adjust operations, please continue reporting issues to 311 and send us the service request number. We’re here to help close the loop.

Your CDSF Dollars at Work
I’m preparing a special newsletter edition to give you an update on every project funded by the Council District Service Fund: speed cushions, panel replacements, sidewalks, ADA improvements—with dollar amounts, dates, and timelines. You’ll have everything you need to hold us accountable and communicate with your peers about upcoming projects.

Back to School – We’re Ready
August is here, and it’s time to get ready. Join us at the Mayor’s Back to School Festival at the GRB on Saturday, August 2nd. District F will distribute 500 backpacks for students who need a little extra support this year.

District F Team Update
I’m excited to officially welcome Jessica Stewart to the District F team as our new Executive Assistant. If it’s calendar-related, scheduling, or availability—you’ll want to connect with her. Jessica brings strong executive admin experience and sharp attention to detail that will help elevate our work and keep me (and the entire team) on time, informed, and ready to serve.

At the same time, we’re saying see you later to two incredible team members: Tommy Wan and Julian Nguyen. Their time in the District F office has been meaningful—not just for me, but for the entire community. From leading the Alief Votes Youth Conference, managing the Pocket Prairie project, to producing the Fire Canvas event, they’ve shown what service and commitment look like in action.

Tommy and Julian are—and will always be—part of the District F-AMILY. Make sure to send them a note of appreciation for attending your civic club meetings, helping you navigate city services, and just showing up when it mattered.

Tommy is headed back to UT for his senior year. Julian is starting an exciting new chapter at Vanderbilt in Tennessee.

Wishing them both continued success and big wins ahead!

Do you remember the freeze in 2021? If you were impacted by the 2021 Winter Storm Uri or if your insurance claim was denied or you couldn’t afford repairs, you may qualify for up to $10,000 in reimbursement—or full home reconstruction assistance of up to $300,000. Learn more here, and stay tuned to District F social media for updates. Apply today.

July 31: Community Impact Newspaper – Houston City Council member proposes directing $50M in disaster recovery funds toward housing

July 30: Houston Chronicle – Mayor John Whitmire announces support of an additional $50M toward fixing housing damaged in Beryl

July 30: Houston Public Media – Whitmire signals support for $100 million for housing from $315 million in disaster recovery funds

July 27: Texas Housers Interview – What Is Going On With Houston’s Hurricane Beryl Funding? A Conversation With Council Member Thomas

July 22: KHOU11 – CM Thomas In The News: City council to vote on $314 million recovery plan from the Derecho and Hurricane Beryl

July 19: Texas Southern University 90.0 FM Interview

July 25, 2025: District F residents breathed a little easier thanks to a special air purifier distribution event held at the Alief Neighborhood Center. With generous support from Daikin, we were able to provide 18 high-quality air purifiers to families in need—helping improve indoor air quality and promote healthier living. A heartfelt thank you to Nancy Simms for her advocacy and partnership in making this event possible. Community care starts with clean air, and we’re grateful to everyone who helped bring this effort to life!

In light of the recent OEM briefing to Council committees, our office is actively coordinating with their team to ensure disaster locations on the Westside are closely tracked and updated. We are prepared to respond to emergencies—and encourage you to be prepared as well. Staying informed is key to safety; sign up for Alert Houston and follow the District F newsletter for the latest updates and important resources to help you and your family stay safe during disasters.

Good news: The city has approved new trucks to help get things back on track, and some are arriving soon. But it’ll take a little time before pickup schedules are fully back to normal. In the meantime, if your recycling gets missed, don’t forget to report it through the city’s 311 system. And if you can, drop off your recyclables at nearby recycling centers to keep things moving. City officials are working hard to improve the situation and keep everyone informed.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Van Q. Huynh on his recent appointment as an Alternate Member of the City of Houston’s Building and Standards Commission on Wednesday, July 30. This well-deserved recognition reflects Mr. Huynh’s steadfast dedication to public service and his deep commitment to the betterment of our city.

The Building and Standards Commission plays a vital role in ensuring that Houston’s properties meet safety, structural, and legal standards—an essential responsibility in maintaining the integrity and livability of our neighborhoods. As an Alternate Member, Mr. Huynh’s will provide crucial input and oversight on cases related to building code violations, unsafe structures, and community health concerns.

Sign up here for general Volunteer Team opportunities.

Sign up here for our Volunteer Translation Team to assist with outreach and ensure all voices in our diverse district are heard.

Together, we can strengthen and support District F!