This Week: Substantial Damage Appeals Process; Unusually High Water Bill Update; Houston Celebrates Hannukah

Substantial Damage Appeals Process

Managing Engineer Jamila Johnson with the City of Houston Floodplain Management Office (FMO) shared a presentation with the Regulatory and Neighborhood Affairs Committee regarding the process for flooded homeowners to appeal a “substantial damage” determination. Using homeowner requests, FEMA data, and permitting activity, the FMO designates properties whose pre-flood structures were 50% or more damaged to be “substantially damaged,” a federal standard that, in most cases, requires the home to be elevated before repair permits can be issued. Homeowners who wish to appeal may submit a Substantial Damage Determination Appeal Form and required documents to the FMO in person or via US mail at the Houston Permitting Center (1002 Washington Avenue, 77007) or via email at fmo@houstontx.gov.

The first round of substantial damage determination letters has been sent to over 1600 homeowners throughout Houston, including 228 in District C. More homeowners are expected to receive these letters in the near future. However, whether or not they have received a substantial damage letter, any homeowner who feels their home might be substantially damaged should contact FMO immediately, BEFORE beginning any repairs (there is no need to wait for a letter before contacting FMO). They can be reached at(832) 394-8854 or fmo@houstontx.gov.

Unusually High Water Bill Update

Following Hurricane Harvey, 6362 residential accounts had unusually high water bills citywide. Deputy Director Sherri Winslow of the Public Works and Engineering Department (PWE) shared a presentation with the Regulatory and Neighborhood Affairs Committee with updates on the department’s investigation into the cause of these increases and recommended solutions. Of the impacted accounts, 1170 were found to have experienced leaks, pool refills, or additional members of the household as the cause for the increase. 5192 accounts have yet to identify the cause of the increase (days in the billing cycle and meter accuracy were found to have had no impact on these accounts). PWE recommends a temporary ordinance override to allow:  those with FEMA flood insurance claims to be billed based on account average usage; for those with pool refills to be billed for water only, with a credit for wastewater; and for wastewater meter accounts to receive a one-time bill based on account average usage.

Houston Celebrates Hannukah

Mayor Pro Tem Cohen and her co-religionists are observing Hannukah, which takes place from the evening of Tuesday, December 12th through the evening of Wednesday, December 20th.

The 22nd Annual City of Houston
Public Menorah Lighting 
Saturday, December 16th
7:30PM
City Hall | 901 Bagby St, 77002

The event is free and will include latkes and doughnuts for attendees!