The Thomas Telegraph | Fire Canvassing, Back-to-School Offerings and Old Alief Library Brick Pickup | Vol. 8, Issue 16 – July 24, 2026

Friends,

It’s that time of year again—extreme heat season. Please stay safe, stay hydrated, and use or encourage others, especially our unhoused neighbors, to utilize the City of Houston’s 112 cooling centers.

As we know, with any tropical storm, the streets will flood. We have received your 311 requests and are working on them.

Agape Christian Fellowship Church is open Tuesday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. as well.

District F Summer Block Party

Summer is in full swing, but the new school year is right around the corner. In this newsletter, you’ll find a lineup of back-to-school giveaways and events, including our District F End of Summer Block Party at the Alief Aquatic Center on Saturday, August 22. Register here and see the flyer below for more details.

We’re also wrapping up our summer safety initiatives with fire canvassing on July 30, supporting you, your family, and the kiddos as we close out the season, and cementing history with commemorative bricks. See flyer below.

West Houston apartment fire update

We are still awaiting a full report from HFD regarding the recent West Houston apartment fire earlier this month, including details on any Red Cross assistance provided. While full information has not yet been released, we do know that this tragic incident displaced more than a dozen families. Our hearts are with the families affected, and our office will share additional updates as soon as HFD provides the complete report.

Infrastructure

Every year at the start of the new fiscal year, I like to issue a special-called newsletter focused solely on infrastructure updates—from council district service funds to SWAT (drainage) to Capital Improvement Projects—so you are fully aware of all activities in progress and scheduled for FY27.

Expect a special edition newsletter on August 7, 2026.

Homelessness

Our office will soon announce an expanded partnership between the Energy Corridor, WHAM, Districts G and A, and At-Large Position 3. Together, the participating council district offices are contributing a collective $60,000 toward a pilot homeless outreach program. More details to come.
—
On a personal note, I’m back and feeling refreshed! I had a wonderful birthday and truly enjoyed the time away. Thank you all for the warm birthday wishes—they meant a lot.

I’m looking forward to reconnecting and getting back into the swing of things.

Fatal Shooting of Mr. Lorenzo Araujo

Although it has been several weeks since the tragic killing of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, we must remain patient as multiple investigations continue to unfold.

However, let me make my stance clear:

I.C.E. should never have been conducting vehicle stops in our city, undermining our local law enforcement agency.

This could have been avoided. 

This loss has shaken families across our city and the nation, and as the Council Member representing one of the most diverse districts in Houston, I stand with our immigrant residents.  My heart breaks.

The Araujo family deserves justice as they grieve this unimaginable loss. He was not the intended target of this operation, and I join community leaders in calling for the release of any evidence as it becomes available.

P.S. A quick note on the Alief Library bricks: If you signed up for a brick, you should have already received an email from my office confirming your submission and providing pick‑up details. If anything has changed, please reply to that email so we can offer the opportunity to someone on our waitlist.

Save the Date: 3rd Annual Faith & Affordable Housing Summit | Saturday, October 10

Council Member Tiffany D. Thomas

Our office will canvass four streets within the Catalina Square and Huntington Village subdivisions—areas impacted by residential fires last year (see photos below)— on July 30th to ensure residents have access to working smoke detectors in their homes.

Houston Public Works has secured these buildings.

If you would like to volunteer, register here. Further details below.

Our team on Tuesday attended the Westside DRT’s Positive Interaction Program (PIP) meeting, where this month, they focused on apartment safety and the work of HPD’s Homeless Outreach Team (HOT).

We highlighted Council Member Thomas’ leadership in the apartment inspection ordinance discussions, the upcoming Proposition A Committee Meeting on July 28 at 2 p.m., and our two Mobile Care Days. We also shared updates on our partnerships with WHAM, including funding support, Westside DRT, HHD, and other collaborators, emphasizing CM Thomas’ continued commitment to homelessness advocacy. We closed with a rundown of upcoming events and ways residents can stay connected with our office.

Celebrating Progress in Third Ward: Trinity East Groundbreaking

On July 15, Council Member Thomas joined the City of Houston’s Housing & Community Development Department and community partners to celebrate the groundbreaking of a new 90‑unit senior living community in Houston’s Third Ward. Designed for residents aged 55 and older, the project is supported by a $4 million city investment through HOME funds and will expand access to quality, affordable housing and independent living for seniors in the community.

• Operation Backpack Giveaway | Saturday, July 25 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Launch Family Entertainment, 13331 Westheimer Rd. Houston, TX 77077
• The Mayor’s Back 2 School & Health Fair | Saturday, August 1, 2026 from 8 a.m.m to 2 p.m. at the George R. Brown Convention Center, 1001 Avenida de las Americas, Houston, TX 77010. Register here.
• Harris County Clerk’s Office is hosting its 6th annual Back-to-School Birth Certificate Event on Saturday, August 1, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at all 10 Harris County Clerk Annex locations. Bring a valid photo ID (TX DL, state/federal ID, military ID, etc.) and supporting documents if needed.
• Alief ISD Health & Resource Fair | Sunday, August 2, 8 to 11 a.m. at 14411 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77082. There will be free school supplies, health screenings, and more.