HOUSTON – The City of Houston has authorized nonprofits to spend a chunk of the $1.8 million donated to the Greater Houston Storm Relief Fund by people and businesses, but $695,000 sits unspent. It will be spent on flood victims’ long-term needs.
Mayor Sylvester Turner encouraged people to donate to the fund after the April flooding and took part in a benefit concern at Lakewood Church to raise money.
The City of Houston’s Steven David, who worked to help dole out the fundraiser money to appropriate charities, said they money has been not misspent.
“We don’t think that. We trust the United Way,” he said.
David said the United Way vetted each charity’s spending plan before a charity was given money.
Among the monies given out or budgeted to be given out, $458,000 went to repay the City of Houston’s bill to house many of the storm victims. Some money went to fix flooded cars or provide kitchen appliances for storm victims.
Sixty seven thousand dollars helped cover costs of operating the Campbell Center emergency shelter.
The following charities also received funds:
- Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston Houston -- $214,350
- Family Houston -- $5,000
- Jewish Family Services -- $105,280
- Houston Area Urban League -- $125,000
- Katy Christian Ministries -- $33,310
- Northwest Assistance Ministries -- $15,000
Neighborhood Centers, Inc. just received $695,000 at the beginning of August, according Michelle Dobbins, of Neighborhood Centers.
The money has not yet been spent because it took several months for the City of Houston to move the money that was authorized for long-term spending.
The money Neighborhood Centers received will eventually cover needs that other funds haven’t covered, Dobbins said, such as replacing flood damaged uniforms and work shoes, rent/mortgage assistance, replacing appliances and furniture, replacement of medical equipment, U-Haul trucks, movers, storage and car repairs needed so a flood victim can work.
“A lot of people make the mistake in thinking that once the flood is over, within six to 12 weeks everything is back on track. That is absolutely not the case,” David said.
He said it is not uncommon for money to take time to be disbursed after a disaster.
All but $100,000 of the money is eventually expected to be spent on victims, David said. The remaining money will be on hand to prepare for or use following the next disaster.
Flood victims who still need help can contact the United Way by calling 211.
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