Vol. 8, Issue 14 – 6.26.2026 |
| Dear Friends, As we head into the Fourth of July weekend, I hope you find time to slow down, gather with the people who matter most, and enjoy all that this season has to offer. Whether you’re grilling with neighbors, spending time with family, or simply taking a well-deserved break -you’ve earned it. The spirit of this holiday is at its best when we experience it together, and that is something District F does exceptionally well. As you celebrate, please keep safety top of mind. Safety for yourself, your children, and your neighbors. Look out for one another out there. The rest of this newsletter is packed with important updates, resources, and opportunities to stay connected to the work we are doing on your behalf. As always, thank you for being an engaged, active part of this community. Wishing you and yours a safe and joyful Fourth of July. Council Member Tiffany D. Thomas |
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| Gun Lock Box Distribution: Coming Soon During the summer, gun violence increases, and my office is focused on protecting families who may already have firearms in the home. In partnership with the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, we will be distributing free gun lock boxes to District F households at the Alief Neighborhood Center, 11903 Bellaire Blvd, Houston, TX 77072 – while supplies last. A date will be confirmed and shared shortly. In the meantime, pre-register now to secure your box: tinyurl.com/DISTRICTF-GUNBOX |
Total Work Orders: 19
Hotspot of the week: 12100 High Star (recurring)
Total Man Hours Worked: 96/week
Tree Waste: 500 lbs.
Mattresses: 4
Furniture Waste: 8 pieces
Tires: 7
Trash Debris: 600 lbs.
Shopping Carts: 7
Bandit Signs: 178
Landscaping: Jarvis at Beverly Hills |
| INDEPENDENCE DAY SOLID WASTE COLLECTION SCHEDULE |
The City’s Solid Waste Management Department has announced holiday schedule adjustments for Independence Day (July 4). Residential collection services and facilities will be closed, and curbside pickup will shift to the next scheduled service day. View your collection schedule here. |
| Richmond Avenue Pavement Enhancement Project Nears Completion Richmond Avenue is undergoing micro‑surfacing work from Kirby to Weslayan and from S. Gessner to Dunvale to extend pavement life and improve ride quality. The project, estimated at $567,000, began on June 1 with a tentative completion date of June 26. For questions or concerns, please contact Transportation & Drainage Operations (TDO) Project Manager Sonynora Points at (346) 646-8946. |
| Delayed Does Not Mean Denied The Houston City Council on June 17 approved a $3.3 million ordinance for a new contract that will directly target and clear our years-long infrastructure project backlog. Right here in District F, we have more than 20 pending projects in the queue. Thank you so much for your continued patience as we work to improve our community. |
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Long‑Awaited Demolition Order Issued for Ashton Village Eyesore Council Member Thomas joined Ashton Village residents who spoke at the June 17 public hearing about the long‑neglected property at 3138 Ashlock Drive. At the Building and Standards Commission hearing, the ruling was finally delivered: - 45 days for the property owners to obtain the required permit
- 70 days to complete demolition
- A $100-per-day civil penalty assessed for 18 days
This decision has been a long time coming. The property has remained damaged and abandoned since a fire more than four years ago, impacting the surrounding neighborhood. This ruling marks a meaningful step forward for residents seeking safety, resolution, and restoration for their community. Our office would like to thank everyone who took the time out of their busy schedules to provide public comment at the hearing. |
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Relief is on the Way: Rebuilding Houston Families Post-Beryl and Derecho While the CDBG-DR24 single-family home repair guidelines were tagged and delayed at City Council on Wednesday, this crucial item is scheduled to return for a vote right after July 4th. As we navigate another hurricane season, passing these guidelines remains a top priority to protect our neighborhoods and build long-term resilience. This $45M allocation provides a vital lifeline for families who have been waiting in limbo since the 2024 Derecho and Hurricane Beryl. Qualifying Houstonians can receive up to $100,000 for home repairs and up to $300,000 for complete reconstruction, helping residents recover, rebuild, and remain rooted in their communities. Click below⤵️to hear Council Member Thomas’ remarks from Wednesday’s council session on the program or see her statement below. |
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Invocation Prayer at City Hall Our office extends our deepest gratitude to Bishop Rickie L. White of Agape Christian Fellowship Church and his wife, Pastor Debra White, for leading the invocation prayer and sharing remarks during the City Hall public session on Tuesday, June 23. Since being installed as pastor in 2016, Bishop White has demonstrated remarkable leadership, successfully unifying Oasis Christian Center Church and Good News Church into one cohesive ministry. Bishop White and Pastor Debra continue to be invaluable pillars of District F, consistently stepping up to provide essential resources to our community, including food, clothing, school uniforms, school supplies, and rental assistance. Thank you, Bishop and Pastor White, for your spiritual guidance and unwavering dedication to uplifting our neighborhood. |
| DISTRICT F MAY 2026 CRIME UPDATE |
Touring the $242M Renovation at Haverstock HillsOn Thursday, June 25, our team joined the developers of Fairstead, a purpose-driven real estate firm, for a tour of the extensive, ongoing transformations at Haverstock Hills Apartments in the East Aldine area. Work is expected to be completed by early 2028. As Chair of the Housing and Affordability Committee, Council Member Thomas remains fiercely dedicated to supporting high-quality affordable housing initiatives that improve the overall quality of life across the City of Houston. We extend our sincere thanks to the Fairstead team for their thoughtful resident-transition plan, their commitment to keeping rents stable during this process, and their deep investment in preserving affordable housing that directly uplifts our community. |
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Representing the FIFA World Cup on the Westside with Mural In case you missed it, District F recently unveiled a stunning, FIFA World Cup-inspired mural at the Sunridge Shopping Center (3800 S Gessner Road). This incredible piece honors both the upcoming tournament and the vibrant cultural currency of our community. Council Member Tiffany D. Thomas has fiercely promoted public art as a powerful way to highlight the richness of our neighborhood, and this project is a shining example of that vision. A huge thank‑you to Haitian‑born Houston artist Mathieu Jean Baptiste for creating this beautiful piece that captures the spirit of FIFA. Special thanks as well to our partners at the Westchase Management District and the FIFA World Cup 26 Houston Host City Committee for bringing this project to life. Take a look at the artwork in the video below and learn more about this initiative. |
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Celebrating the 7th Annual AAPI Restaurant WeeksOn June 15, our office proudly presented 37 certificates to participating local restaurants in recognition of the 7th annual AAPI Restaurant Week held from May 1 to June 15, 2026. These establishments have made an outstanding contribution to Houston’s cultural richness, culinary diversity, and economic vitality during AAPI Heritage Month. With gratitude, we honor your contribution to the cultural fabric of the City of Houston and wish you continued success and fulfillment in all that lies ahead. We extend our deepest appreciation to these culinary leaders for their community spirit and for helping make Houston a more inclusive, vibrant, and connected city. |
Honoring History and Resilience: District F Joins the Reveal of Remembrance Park Design Remembrance Park |
Community Swearing‑In for Congressman Christian D. Menefee On Saturday morning, Congressman Christian D. Menefee held his community swearing‑in ceremony at the University of Houston, where Council Member Thomas was honored to share remarks. The auditorium was filled with residents and community leaders, including Alief ISD Trustee Dr. Darlene Breaux, former Harris County Attorney Jon Fombonne, Pastor Suzette Caldwell, and Dr. Elwyn Lee, husband of the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. The incredible turnout offered a powerful reminder that we are at our best when we come together. |
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Acknowledging the History of Piney Point this Juneteenth
No matter if you know it as One Pine Tree, Old Town Jeanetta, or the historic Piney Point, what remains true is this: without June 19, 1865, none of this would exist. Council Member Thomas is deeply grateful to the residents, both new and longtime, who have welcomed her to stand alongside them in sharing their story and advocating on their behalf as their Council Member and friend. Special thanks to the Piney Point Civic Club, Friends of Rasmus Park, Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church, Greater Mt. Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, and so many others for their continued collaboration and joy. |
| UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS & INFORMATION |
Apply Now for Future Founders Summer Program! Are you raising a future entrepreneur? Applications are now open for the 2nd Annual Future Founders Program, coming to the Alief Public Library from July 27th to 31st. Last year, our office proudly invested $2,750 to support the launch of this program that merited true results. 90% of participants increased their understanding of what it takes to start a business, while 80% improved their knowledge of marketing and 70% strengthened their understanding of entrepreneurship overall. This year we’re investing $3,900 towards our future entrepreneurs. Learn more in the video below and apply by the deadline of Friday, July 17. Space is limited. |
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| Hurricane Preparedness We are officially in hurricane season – The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. While forecasters expect a quieter-than-average year, we want to ensure that you and your household remain prepared. AlertHouston – Sign up for real‑time weather and emergency notifications.
Office of Emergency Management (OEM) – Find guidance on preparedness, evacuation, and building an emergency kit.
STEAR Registry – A free service for residents who may need extra assistance during emergencies, including those with disabilities, medical conditions, or limited mobility. Who should register: - People with disabilities
- Medically fragile individuals
- Residents with access or functional needs
- Limited mobility
- Communication barriers
- Need for medical, transportation, or personal care assistance
Registration is available for residents as well as caregivers registering loved ones. Emergency Preparedness Information
OEM also provides step‑by‑step tips on how to prepare for hurricanes, what to include in a disaster kit, and best practices for keeping households safe before and after severe weather. |
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| Get Involved in District F! |
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The Permit Activity Report provides activity information regarding any new construction, remodeling, or change-of-use permits by zip-code in an effort to inform citizens of activity in their neighborhoods. Obtain additional information about permits by contacting Houston Public Works (HPW) via 311, or by visiting their Permitting Center website at www.houstonpermittingcenter.org. If you have further questions about any permits, please contact the Code Enforcement Group at 832-394-9494. Additionally, the Plat Activity Report contains biweekly information from PlatTracker about plats, replats, public hearings, variances, and special exceptions to plats that will be considered at the upcoming Planning Commission meeting. The report provides application information for each agenda item; compiled by the City of Houston Planning and Development Department. The excel format can be sorted based on particular data, such as location or council district. The new PlatTracker is now available online. To access the portal, please visit https://plattracker.powerappsportals.us For questions or additional information contact the Development Services Planner of the Day at (832) 393-6624. |
| CONTACT THE DISTRICT F TEAM |
District F Welcomes Our Summer Interns
Welcome, Emaan and Alla, to the District F team for our summer intern program. Alla attends Alief Taylor High School, and Emaan is a recent graduate of Alief Early College, headed to Harvard this fall. You’ll see them out in the community and hear from them if you call the office or attend a public session. They will support constituent services, community events, and, most importantly, we get the opportunity to invest in the next generation. |
TIFFANY D. THOMAS
Houston City Council Member, District F
(832) 393-3002
[email protected] |
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