Friends, There are several news stories circulating related to housing and quality-of-life issues in District F. I want to provide you with a direct update for awareness and accuracy—and, more importantly, let you know what happens next. EMINENT DOMAIN & INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT DISTRICT TRAIL KPRC reported recently about a pending Council item related to connecting our local trail and park system between Arthur Storey, Hackberry and Boone parks. I tagged the item last week. While I was traveling on behalf of the City of Houston, Mayor Pro Tem referred it back to the administration so I could return and speak to the item on the record. There are five parcels subject to eminent domain. These five parcels are not privately owned homes. The parcels are associated with companies that no longer exist and the International Management District. The item will return to council for a vote on Wednesday, September 23. For context, council previously approved the engineering contract for the approximately two-mile IMD bikeway connection between Dairy Ashford and Arthur Storey Park. This next phase helps us continue building out that larger vision of connecting our parks and neighborhoods. SQUATTERS AT CROWN COLONY KHOU reached out to my office regarding an ongoing squatting situation in one of our Crown Colony townhome communities. Unfortunately, my office has not received any previous requests or reports related to this situation, which means we are starting from ground zero to address it. These cases can be complicated and take time to work through. As an aside, there are three different Crown Colony developments in the area, and they are not the same property or under the same management structure. If you believe a home in your neighborhood is being unlawfully occupied, please contact my office at [email protected] so we can help determine the appropriate next steps. FIRE DAMAGE AT WESTHOLLOW APARTMENTS ABC13 recently reported on apartments off Westhollow near Richmond that experienced fire damage and have remained unrepaired for more than a year. The complex is not currently among the city’s top 25 bad-actor properties. In addition, according to the records available to my office, we found no 311 submissions or correspondence directly to District F or Houston Public Works regarding the unrepaired units. Following the recent concerns, Habitability initiated another inspection and investigation, and will continue monitoring the property while the owner and construction company work through ongoing litigation. This is why reporting matters. If you live in or near an apartment complex with glaring habitability or compliance issues, please call 311 and get a service request number. That creates a record and allows the appropriate city department to investigate. Then, send that service request number to my office so we can track the issue with you. DEATH AT ONE ORLEANS PLACE KHOU reported concerns about an odor at One Orleans Place Condominiums off Jeanetta. The odor was ultimately connected to a deceased resident who was later identified. You may remember that One Orleans Place experienced a serious fire in 2021 that displaced many residents, some for an extended period of time. If you notice anything suspicious at your property—including unusual or persistent odors—please notify your property manager first so there is documentation. You can also contact 311 so the appropriate City department can determine whether a formal response is necessary. And as always, if you believe there is an immediate emergency, call 911. UNAUTHORIZED GROUP HOMES Over the last few years, I have routinely asked for your assistance identifying potentially unauthorized group homes so we can: Check the address against the city’s registration records to determine whether the operation is authorized; and If it is not, send the appropriate inspectors to begin the compliance and citation process. This is not an invitation to dox your neighbors or discriminate against properly authorized providers or residents. It is an opportunity to help us identify operations that may not be registered or operating in compliance with city requirements. If you have a legitimate concern, send us the address, photo, description of the activity, and your 311 service request number. We will coordinate with the Administration & Regulatory Affairs Department to determine the appropriate next step. OCTOBER IS ESTATE PLANNING MONTH As we approach October, I want to remind you that it is Estate Planning Month. With recent conversations around deed theft, squatters, tangled titles and heirs’ property, I implore you to get your personal affairs in order. Property ownership does not end when you purchase the home. Protecting the title, maintaining clear ownership records and establishing what happens to the property after your death are equally important. This isn’t simply about paperwork. It is about protecting what you worked for and making it easier for the next generation to keep it. If you need assistance, start here. SAVE THE DATES Thursday, September 24: BakerRipley’s Heart of Gold Luncheon Monday, October 5: Last Day to Register to Vote in Harris County Tuesday, October 6: National Night Out — Register your neighborhood. Saturday, October 10: 3rd Annual Faith & Affordable Housing Summit Monday, October 19–Friday, October 30: Harris County Early Voting - Monday–Saturday: 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
- Sunday: 12:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
Friday, October 23: Deadline to apply for a mail ballot. Tuesday, November 3: Election Day Council Member Tiffany D. Thomas | 
