The Thomas Telegraph | New data on Faith Institutions’ land acreage, and welcoming James Talarico to the Westside | Vol. 8, Issue 23–November 2, 2026

Vol. 8, Issue 23 – 11.02.2026

Friends,

I am ready for some cooler weather, and hopefully we will get some this weekend! Before we put on our costumes for Halloween, I want to remind you of a few items that need your attention.

RICHMOND AVE. (HWY 6 TO KIRKWOOD)

I do not have enough time or days to communicate the number of times I have heard that Richmond Avenue on the far west side needs some attention. Even after providing updates on the proposed plan, there was mild disbelief that anything would actually happen.

It’s happening.

Starting in November, a $2 million rehabilitation project will begin on Richmond Avenue from Highway 6 to Meadway, benefiting Ashford Park, Parkhollow, Westhollow, Westhollow Townhomes, and Westwick.

The construction notice has been shared with the Super Neighborhoods and the HOAs for which we have updated contact information.

Now, when you ask for the rainbow, prepare for the storm.

Construction causes delays, and you will need to adjust your routes in advance. This project is expected to take approximately 120 days, not including weather delays.

The second segment of this program will address Richmond Avenue from Meadway to Kirkwood.

Join me at Super Neighborhood 17 as I outline the construction notice and answer questions. Details are below in the newsletter for your information.

PANEL REPLACEMENTS ON HARWIN

We have a concrete panel replacement project underway on Harwin at Rogerdale through mid-November. This project is funded by TIRZ 20 as we continue investing in and improving infrastructure throughout the area.

WESTSIDE MOBILE CARE DAY 3.0

On Saturday, November 14, we are hosting our third Westside Mobile Care Day addressing homelessness on the westside.

As a reminder, these services create a direct pipeline into the coordinated care system. We will provide case management, haircuts, food, showers, and additional resources in partnership with the Houston Health Department and Housing & Community Development Department.

With that, I want to highlight the pedestrian deaths of two individuals experiencing homelessness whom we had been working with over the past year.

ABC13: Woman killed in hit-and-run crash on Wilcrest Drive

KPRC 2: Body found in roadway after possible hit-and-run in southwest Houston

Slow down.

You might just save someone else’s life—or your own.

ALIEF ISD OPENS AG CENTER

Congratulations to Alief ISD on the opening of its new Ag Center near Dairy Ashford and Beechnut.

We are bringing a little bit of the country to the city while helping train our students in agricultural science and technology.

Congratulations to the students, teachers, administrators, and everyone who helped bring this new learning opportunity to Alief.

VOTE.

Friday, October 30, was the final day of early voting. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, and District F has several Election Day voting locations.

Visit HarrisVotes.com to:

Review your sample ballot.

Find your voting location.

Do your homework. Make your plan. VOTE.

Council Member Tiffany D. Thomas

HOT SPOT HIGHLIGHT

INFRASTRUCTURE UPDATES

Harwin Drive panel replacement update

A permitted City of Houston project (Permit #356735) under TIRZ 20 Phase 3 is currently underway to replace concrete road panels along Harwin Drive between Rogerdale and Wilcrest. All work is scheduled to be completed by November 13. More project information here.

Concrete panel replacement along Richmond Avenue 

Design has been completed and Phase 1 of a construction project to replace concrete panels at Richmond Avenue from Meadway Dr. to Kirkwood Dr. is scheduled to begin on November 2, and it will take 120 working days. The estimated total project cost is $2 million. The project coordinator is Grava, LLC and questions or concerns can be relayed to the project manager, Shawn Brooks, at (832) 395-3246.

As construction begins, please prepare for potential detours and traffic disruptions in the project area. We encourage residents to plan their routes accordingly and allow additional travel time while work is underway.

Ashton Village drainage project update

Texas Dewatering, LLC has received and installed the new standard permanent mailboxes along Ashfield Dr. coordinating with USPS to ensure proper mail delivery access.

Please note that the project contract does not include a specific provision for temporary mailboxes.

HOUSING AND AFFORDABILITY

Home Multifamily Notification of Funding Availability

The City of Houston Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) is inviting qualified multifamily developers to apply for funding to support the construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or acquisition of affordable multifamily properties within Houston city limits. Approximately $12 million in HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) funding is available in the form of forgivable loans to advance the development or rehabilitation of affordable rental housing for low‑ to moderate‑income households.
Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to build or rehabilitate and then operate multifamily housing.

Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to develop or rehabilitate—and subsequently operate—multifamily housing.

Apply by 5 p.m. Monday, November 9, 2026 and review the full NOFA here.

Key Dates and Deadlines

🔵 ✓Questions & Clarification Deadline

Monday, November 2, 2026 5:00 PM 

Submit questions to [email protected]

Submitted questions will be posted online through a formal Letter of Clarification.

Be a Resource: DR-24 application training for nonprofits and community advocates

The City of Houston’s Housing and Community Development Department is offering training to help nonprofits and community advocates assist residents affected by the 2024 Derecho and Hurricane Beryl. Although new applications for the Home Repair Program are closed, this session will build participants’ long‑term capacity to guide residents through the universal application process, required documentation, eligibility rules, and common errors. Attendees will also learn how to connect residents with available resources and receive direct Q&A support from HCD staff. Registration is required, and space is limited.

DISTRICT F IN THE NEWS

FAITH AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING SUMMIT

If you missed it, you can revisit the highlights in this recap video. And if your faith institution has land to report, please complete the acreage survey here to contribute to a public dashboard of participating institutions and their properties to be released in January 2027.

BUILDING A MORE RESILIENT ENERGY FUTURE IN DISTRICT F

DISTRICT F HOME SALES DATA

DISTRICT F IN MOTION

Impakt Foundation Inaugural Golf Tournament

Council Member Thomas had the honor of serving as Grand Marshal for the Impakt Foundation on Monday morning, an organization dedicated to supporting young men in North Houston, Spring, The Woodlands, and Huntsville as they navigate the transition from middle school and high school into adulthood.

Networking with Developers: Hiram Clarke-Fort Bend Redevelopment Authority 

Council Member Thomas moderated a financing panel at the Hiram Clarke–Fort Bend Redevelopment Authority Developers’ Networking Reception, part of a broader discussion on Financing Strategies for Infill Commercial and Residential Development. She led the session titled “Real Estate Development – Faith‑Based Development Perspective,” engaging developers, finance professionals, public‑sector partners, and community leaders in a thoughtful conversation on innovative financing approaches.

Council Member Thomas also delivered a presentation on emerging community development trends, highlighting opportunities to strengthen neighborhoods through strategic partnerships and investment.

Celebrating Student Achievement through the Social Justice Learning Institute

Our team attended the Social Justice Learning Institute open house, which highlighted the success of a city‑wide student support initiative. Through its Urban Scholars and Higher Pathways programs, the Institute serves more than 400 young people annually, primarily Black and Latinx students from underserved communities, offering academic enrichment, college and career readiness, and leadership development.

At Alief Hastings High School, the program supported 43 students during the 2025–2026 school year, including 15 seniors who earned $550,000 in scholarship offers and achieved a 100% college acceptance rate. Participation has expanded to 52 students this school year, marking a 21% increase. These milestones reflect the program’s commitment to helping students realize their potential and confidently navigate opportunities that will shape their futures.

Informing constituents at the International Trade Park community meeting

Council Member Thomas hosted a special environmental community discussion at the Alief Super Neighborhood 25 meeting on Tuesday night to share updates on the former Doty Landfill/Sugar Hill Golf Course site. The 132‑acre property, acquired in 2019, remains a topic of significant community interest. The developer, Bissonnet 136, LLC, joined the discussion and presented the proposed plans answering as many questions as possible.

Thank you to all who attended and engaged thoughtfully in this important conversation.

Celebrating the long-awaited grand opening of Boulevard 61

On October 26, Council Member Thomas joined Mayor Whitmire, Council Member Pollard of District J, the Housing and Community Development Department, fellow city officials, and developer DMA Companies to celebrate the grand opening of Boulevard 61 on Richmond Avenue. As the Chair of the Housing and Affordability Committee, she was honored to attend this milestone event and tour a beautiful development supported through a 9% low‑income housing tax credit — a meaningful multifamily community addition to Houston’s growing affordable housing stock.

Celebrating 10 years of the Vietnamese American Pharmacists Association

On October 25th, our team presented a proclamation to the Vietnamese American Pharmacists Association in recognition of its 10 years of excellence and diversity in the profession. The association was honored for its commitment to serving and supporting the Vietnamese American community and others, as well as its contributions to the health, well‑being, and development of District F and the City of Houston through community service, education, and outreach programs.

Council Member Thomas Engages with Alief ISD and Tours Early Learning Center

On October 23, Council Member Thomas met with Alief ISD Superintendent Dr. Anthony Mays, district leadership, and representatives from PNC to receive an update on the district and explore opportunities for collaboration. As the council member for District F, she remains committed to staying closely engaged with Alief ISD to support students, families, and educators.

Following the meeting, Council Member Thomas toured the Maria Del Carmen Martinez Early Learning Center, Alief ISD’s early childhood (Pre‑K) campus located in District F, to learn more about the resources and programming available to young learners.

Speaking at LISC Houston’s Housing Symposium 

Council Member Thomas moderated a 90‑minute panel titled “Examples from the Field: A Conversation with Faith‑Based Institutions” as part of LISC Houston’s multi‑part Housing Series Training, Session IV: Faith‑Based Institutions’ Role in Housing & Community Development. The panel featured four faith and development leaders and was designed to help faith‑based organizations understand how they can partner on affordable housing, support neighborhood revitalization, and build effective collaborations with developers, lenders, and community stakeholders.

Engaging with Alief ISD on school optimization efforts

On October 22, Council Member Thomas joined families, educators, and stakeholders at Alief Olle Middle School for one of Alief ISD’s School Optimization community meetings as the district gathers input as it navigates declining student enrollment and budget challenges through its School Optimization Plan. As the District F representative, her presence was imperative to listen directly to the community and stay engaged in conversations that deeply affect Alief families and the future of local schools.

Welcoming James Talarico to the Westside 

Council Member Thomas had the pleasure of hosting James Talarico, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Texas, for lunch in Alief on October 22 at Di An Pho. Their conversation covered a range of important topics, including healthcare, disaster recovery, and public education. Thank you to Jenny and Sally at Di An Pho for curating the best experience.

As a reminder, today is the final day of early voting before Election Day on November 3. The Alief Neighborhood Center will be open for those planning to cast their vote on Election Day.

Engaging in regional mobility at the State of TxDOT luncheon

Council Member Thomas attended the Transportation Advocacy Group–Houston (TAG) State of TxDOT annual luncheon on October 22, an event focused on regional mobility and transportation priorities for the Greater Houston area that helps her stay informed about state transportation initiatives that directly impact West Houston. She was invited to sit with the Energy Corridor District, whose partnership and collaboration are vital to District F.

Previewing United Airlines’ new Terminal B

Council Member Thomas on October 21, had the opportunity to preview United Airlines’ Terminal B at Bush Intercontinental Airport alongside Mayor Whitmire and other elected officials.

LGBTQ+ Chamber Day at City Hall

Council Member Thomas had the pleasure of attending and offering remarks at the inaugural LGBTQ+ Chamber Day at City Hall on October 20 in the Legacy Room. Special thanks to Council Members Castillo and Salinas for hosting this meaningful event, and to the LGBTQ+ community for engaging with your local city government in such an impactful way.

Celebrating 10 years of the annual Nigeria Cultural Parade & Festival 

Our team had the honor of presenting a proclamation celebrating the 10th anniversary of the annual Nigeria Cultural Parade & Festival, held at Discovery Green on October 17. For the past decade, this event—presented by Culturally Naija and WeLead, Inc.—has stood as one of Houston’s most vibrant celebrations of Nigerian culture, heritage, and community excellence. We were proud to recognize this milestone and join in celebrating Nigerian identity and the achievements of the diaspora.

HELP NAME WALOON GREENSPACE IN HONOR OF BARBARA QUATTRO

We are seeking community support to officially rename Waloon Pocket Park as Barbara Quattro Park, recognizing someone who dedicated so much of her civic life to improving the quality of life for all of us.

For decades, Barbara was a driving force for a greener, healthier Alief. Through NeighborWoods and other community programs, she led tree‑planting efforts that brought hundreds of trees to neighborhood parks and esplanades under her well‑known motto, “A‑Leaf Clean and Green.” She also organized cleanups, voter registration drives, and served as chair of the Alief Super Neighborhood Council, helping attract investment and attention to the community she loved.

This renaming effort has already received support from Alief Super Neighborhood, Brays Village HOA, and the International Management District.

As of today, we have 194 of the 300 signatures and letters of support needed to advance the request, so please share with friends and neighbors. Barbara spent years showing up for this community — and this is an opportunity for the community to show up for her legacy.

BRICKS STILL AVAILABLE

If you’d like to pick one up, whether or not you previously signed up, contact our office at (832) 393-3002 or [email protected] to schedule a time for pickup at 900 Bagby St, Houston, TX 77002

UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS & INFORMATION

PERMITS

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

LAMBDA GREEN
Chief of Staff
[email protected]

JESSICA SHARP
Executive Assistant
[email protected]

MONIQUE WELCH-RUTHERFORD
Communications Manager
[email protected] 

SARAI ROBINSON
Public Service & Community Engagement Specialist
[email protected]

TIFFANY D. THOMAS
Houston City Council Member, District F
(832) 393-3002
[email protected]

900 Bagby St., 1st Floor
Houston, Texas 77002