Flood Insurance

 

According to he Harris County Flood Control District, approximately two-thirds of the damage from Hurricane Harvey occurred outside the 100-Year Flood Plain.  Because of our elevation, heavy rainfall, stronger hurricanes and sea-level rise, any part of Houston may flood under the proper conditions.  Between 2014 and 2018,  40% of flood insurance claims were for policy holders outside of high-risk flood areas.

FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency,  is the federal agency that calculates risk and provides insurance to protect your home in case it floods. Most home insurance policies do not cover flood damage.  FEMA has changed how it calculates flood risk.  It now uses the history of flooding for the property and the cost to rebuild rather than just the sea level of the property.

Due to the increased flooding and the amount of money that the agency has paid in the past, the price for flood insurance has increased.  The National Flood Insurance Program is sponsored by FEMA, and the cost of flood insurance is set by the agency.  Check out the web page, and find out how the agency can assist you in finding coverage.  And note, any insurance company that offers home owner insurance should be able to assist you in purchasing flood insurance.

Be sure to protect your property as soon as possible. There is a time limit required before the policy takes effect.  Don't wait until a hurricane is identified in the Gulf to contact your insurance agent!    

No Place Like Home

Homelessness

We have a large homeless population in Houston, but it pales in comparison to cities in the west and northwest of this country.  The problem of homelessness is a complicated and multifaceted one, and  I don't pretend to understand it completely or have the ultimate solution.

According to the Coalition for the Homeless, Houston has approximately 3,055 homeless as of January 2022.

When we face a large and complex problem, we sometimes have the tendency to just think that I, as an individual, can do nothing to help solve the problem.  But perhaps if we all do our small part, we can help alleviate some of the pain and suffering of the homeless.  

How Can an Individual Help?

You can contribute to organizations that help the homeless such as the Coalition for the Homeless.  If you are not financially able, you can volunteer your time and energy.  If you are really fortunate, perhaps you own real estate that can be used by government or nonprofit organizations that provide housing through grants or vouchers.

Of all the things in my life that I am grateful for, having a place to call home is always at the top of my list.  I want that for everyone.  It is a human right.

 

Today's very important reminders are from my guest author.

                           

        Janice Newsum

TEXAS PRIMARY VOTING TIPS

January 31, 2022 is the last day to register to vote for the March 1, 2022 Primary Election. Vote by mail – call for your vote by mail application (received, not postmarked) or apply online on your County Elections website (in Harris County, harrisvotes.com) by February 18, 2022.  Mail in ballots will not be sent to you automatically anymore. 

Early voting will be held February 14th to February 25th.  Vote early to avoid long lines on election day (March 1, 2022). Only 375 polling places available.

Vote down the ballot!!  Many important races are toward the 

bottom of the ballot. Know the candidates, go to ballotpedia.org,

vote411.org or your County Clerk website (Harris County,

https://www.harrisvotes.com/?lang=en-US).

Drive up voting is still available for disabled voters. Know your rights. Senate Bill 1 election law information can be found at https://www.harrisvotes.com/faq/sb1faq?lang=en-us

Make sure you are still on the voting rolls (in Harris County go to https://www.harrisvotes.com/voterregistration/search) and bring the proper identification with you.  There are new ID requirements for voting by mail. Here is a list of the acceptable forms of photo ID for in person voting:

• Texas driver license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)

• Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS

• Texas personal identification card issued by DPS

• Texas license to carry a handgun issued by DPS

• United States military identification card containing the person’s photograph

• United States citizenship certificate containing the person’s photograph

• United States passport (book or card)

With the exception of the U.S. Citizenship Certificate, which does not expire, for voters aged 18-69, the acceptable form of photo identification may be expired no more than four years before being presented for voter qualification at the polling place. For voters aged 70 or older, the acceptable form of photo identification may be expired for any length of time if the identification is otherwise valid. 

Happy New Year

 

The 3-1-1

Busted water pipes? Trash dumped illegally?  Potholes?

While these problems may seem to be emergencies to us at times, calling 911 is only for life-threatening incidents that include police, fire, or medical health emergencies. However, the City of Houston does have a number you can call when the health and safety of residents are compromised in your neighborhood.   

The City of Houston 311 help and information number is for those problems that are an on-going hazard.  Citizens can also call 311 if they simply want information about city services.  The phone number to the office is 713-837-0311 if you call outside the city.

If you know of a home in your neighborhood that is a health and safety hazard because of trash accumulation that can cause rodent and other health hazards, 311 is the number to call.  If you have potholes or other problems that can cause traffic problems and are safety hazards, this is the number to call.

In addition to calling 311, you can download the app.  For information on all of the services of the 311 department, the webpage is www.houston311.org.  You can also email the department at 311@houstonTX.gov. If you can find a FAX (or remember how to use one) the FAX number is 713-837-0210.

It is the responsibility of the City of Houston and its citizens to keep our neighborhoods safe and healthy.  Let's all do our part.

Your Vote Counts

                 

Guest Author, Dr. Janice Newsum

Volunteer Deputy Voter Registrar

Local Politics

Nearly 158.4 million votes were cast in the 2020 presidential election, or put another way 6 in 10 voting age, eligible voters participated in the federal election. Despite the biggest increase in voter participation in four decades, America ranks 24th out of 35 developed countries in election participation according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (Desilver, 2021). The adage that all politics are local is a reference to the plethora of municipal elections that happen in the years between federal elections. 

Special runoff elections for Texas House Districts 10 and 118 were held in September 2021 and on November 2, 2021 there will be a Constitutional Amendment Special Election. Early voting in Harris County for the November 2 election began on October 18, 2021 and will continue through October 29, 2021. For further information on each of the 8 amendments visit https://lwvtexas.org/. Additional information on upcoming Texas elections can be found at https://www.vote411.org/texas.  

In addition to the 8 Texas Constitutional Amendments, elections in other counties include:

MONTGOMERY COUNTY:  

• 8 Texas Constitutional Amendments 

• Cleveland ISD Bond

• New Caney ISD Trustee Election 

• Tomball ISD Bond Election 

• City of Patton Village Mayor and Council Member  

• City of Splendora, Mayor and Council Member 

• City of Woodbranch Village, Mayor and Council Member 

• The Woodlands Township General Election and Special Election

• Montgomery County Water Control  

• East Plantation Utility District Bond Election

• Montgomery County Municipal Utility District 8, 95 and 201 Bond  

• River Plantation Municipal Utility District Special Election 

• Woodland Utility District #1  

• Roman Forest Public Utility #4, Plum Cree District #1A 

• For Sample ballots go to https://elections.mctx.org/ 

BRAZORIA COUNTY: 

• 8 Texas Constitutional Amendments 

• Pearland ISD, Proposition A  

• Brazoria Municipal Utility District 44 Propositions A, B,C,D,E,F,G,H. 

• For Sample ballots go to https://www.brazoriacountyclerktx.gov/departments/elections 

FORT BEND COUNTY: 

• 8 Texas Constitutional Amendments 

• Missouri City General Election Council Member 

• Missouri City Propositions  

• Bonds and Maintenance Tax Elections Some District A-J 

• Meadows Place Proposition  

• For Sample ballots go to https://www.fortbendcountytx.gov/government/departments/county-services/elections-voter-registration 

HARRIS COUNTY:  

• 8 Texas Constitutional Amendments 

• For Sample ballots go to https://www.harrisvotes.com/?lang=en-US 

Desilver, D. (2021). Turnout soared in 2020 as nearly two-thirds of eligible U.S. voters cast ballots for president. Pew Research Center. Retrieved from https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2021/01/28/turnout-soared-in-2020-as-nearly-two-thirds-of-eligible-u-s-voters-cast-ballots-for-president/. 

Accessory Dwelling Units

John Biggers "Shotgun"

                                                        

An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is a smaller living unit that is placed on the same lot as a single family home. While historically prevalent, these dwellings fell out of favor as subdivisions proliferated throughout the country.  The additional dwelling is considered part of the original property, and cannot be sold separately. With affordable housing inventory decreasing across the country, some cities are relaxing restrictions on units and even encouraging construction of garage apartments, mother-in-law flats, tiny cottages, etc.

As taxes and other expenses increase, homeowners can add to their incomes to offset some of these costs, especially in high property tax cities such as Houston.

As cities relax restrictions on ADU construction, it is very important that dwellings meet building codes and are permitted through the regular city process.  Also, some subdivisions and HOAs have additional restrictions that must be followed.  So be sure to check with the city and your HOA before starting construction.

There are other advantages of  ADUs besides the financial benefits. One important benefit is maintaining the character and aesthetic of the neighborhood.  Sometimes older homes are replaced with large or unconventional homes that completely change the look and feel of the community.  And certainly, adding a space for a family member or caretaker on the property may allow older residents to age in place in their homes.

The City of Houston has been offering virtual workshops to inform residents about permit and building requirements. The third workshop will be offered on Tuesday, October 26 at 6 p.m.  If you missed the first two workshops, you can find them on YouTube.