Houston City Council delays vote on allocating $314 million for storm recovery, sparking debate over spending priorities.
HOUSTON — More than a year after Hurricane Beryl and a destructive derecho tore through Houston, some of the city’s hardest-hit families are still trying to rebuild. Now, the city has a rare chance to invest in their recovery — but that decision will have to wait.
On Wednesday, Houston City Council delayed a scheduled vote on how to spend $314 million in federal disaster reimbursement funding. The money is aimed at helping the city recover from the 2024 storms and prepare for future ones.
The vote was postponed after council members tagged the agenda item, a procedural move that delays action and allows more time for discussion and possible amendments. Several city leaders voiced concern over how the funding is currently allocated — particularly how little is being directed toward housing.
Only 16% going to residents?
Council Member Tiffany Thomas is among those calling for more of the funding to directly benefit impacted neighborhoods, such as Oak Forest, which were devastated by the 2024 storms.
According to Thomas, just 16% of the federal dollars are expected to directly benefit Houston residents.
“My recommendation would be to take from the power generation and minimize the $151 million to $100 million,” Thomas said, “and give that $50 million to housing so there will be a match of $100 million in housing and $100 million in power generation.”
She and other council members argue that $50 million for housing is not nearly enough to help families still struggling to recover.
Where the money’s going
The proposed allocation prioritizes:
- Power generation ($151 million)
- Homeless services
- Debris recovery
- Housing ($50 million)
While power infrastructure is a critical long-term investment, some residents and local leaders believe more urgent support is needed for people whose homes remain damaged or uninhabitable.
City’s response
When KHOU 11 News asked the mayor’s office about potentially shifting more funds toward housing, the response was non-specific:
“There’s a plan to assist Houstonians with some of their greatest needs,” the office said.
What’s next
The vote has been delayed and will be rescheduled for a future council meeting. If passed in its current form, the funding could shape how — and how quickly — many Houstonians recover from two of the most devastating storms in the city’s recent history.
But for now, those plans are on hold as calls grow louder for more support for storm-damaged neighborhoods and struggling families.