Vol. 2, Issue 20 – 05.20.21
 
DISTRICT F OFFICE
The Houston Health Department is currently offering the COVID-19 vaccine at 23 locations throughout the city. Walk-ins are welcome and appointments are available. For information on the locations, click on the image above or here.
 
Need a COVID shot? Uber and Lyft, U.S. Black Chambers Inc. offering 10K free rides to vaccine appointments
Free COVID-19 testing is still available at Alief ISD Crump Stadium.
 
THE PEOPLE’S CHAMP
On Saturday, March 15th, Council Member Thomas presented a proclamation to Swapnil Agarwal and Vivek Shah in acknowledgment of the grand opening of Karya Kares Clinic, a non-profit preventative healthcare clinic located within the Bella Vista Apartments complex at 2700 S Dairy Ashford Rd, Houston, TX 77082. Karya Kares is a non-profit organization of Nitya Capital and Karya Property Management.

The clinic will provide essential and preventative care at no cost to the residents—a perfect example of private partnerships working in our community.

Mr. Agarwal and Mr. Shah are also graduates of Alief Hastings High School.

 
At Tuesday’s Public Session, Council Member Thomas presented a proclamation to OCA-Greater Houston in recognition of the extensive work they have done in District F with regards to the 2020 Census and many other community contributions.
 
 
 
CONSTITUENT UPDATES

 
 
HEAVY TRASH PICKUP UPDATE

Due to the high volume of heavy trash, tree waste pickup is still running behind schedule City-wide, including in the District F area.

Junk waste and tree waste are still being accepted at the Solid Waste Department’s Neighborhood Depository and Recycling Centers, including the Southwest Neighborhood Depository/Recycling Center located at 10785 Southwest Freeway, 77074. All Neighborhood Depository hours of operations are being extended to 9 AM–8 PM Wednesday-Sunday.

Please stay tuned for more updates.

 
Dynamic Messaging Sign (DMS) installations are still in progress throughout the city.  Once installations are complete, the DMS will be integrated into a system at Transtar and will begin displaying weather and traffic messages to motorists.

  • Scheduled for 5/20/21
    • Located on Beechnut St west of Dairy Ashford going eastbound
    • The DMS foundation and electrical installation will be done during the daytime between 9 AM-4 PM to minimize traffic impact.
  • Scheduled for 5/21/21
    • Located on Richmond Ave between Dairy Ashford and Houston Center going eastbound
    • The DMS foundation and electrical installation will be done during the daytime between 9 AM-4 PM to minimize traffic impact.
 
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

 
If you are still in need of assistance as a result of Winter Storm Uri, the deadline to submit an application is May 20th, 2021 at 11:59PM.
 
 
 
The government’s $50 emergency internet subsidy: Who’s eligible and how to sign up
 
GET INVOLVED

 
Westside Divisional PIP Meeting
Thursday, May 20th, 2021 at 6:30PM *IN PERSON*
*Mask and Social Distancing Encouraged*

 
HPD will continue to livestream via Microsoft Teams.

Click here to join the meeting
Or call in (audio only): +1 346 248 7799
Meeting ID: 863 7243 3095
Passcode: 137089

 
 
We want your input! If there was a summer food program in District F, would you or your family use it? Fill out the survey to let us know!
Would you like to be nominated by Council Member Thomas to serve on a City of Houston board or commission?  Fill out our survey and send your resume to districtf@houstontx.gov.
 
For those interested in being on this year’s Steering Committee for the Youth Conference, please fill out this form (intended for youth ages between 15 – 18 years old). After you have filled out this form, please send your resume and cover letter to Idalid.Navarro@houstontx.gov.
 
Click on the form to report homeless encampments in our district.  The Solid Waste Department will sanitize these sites to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
 
UPCOMING EVENTS

 
 
RESOURCES
 
Visit Asia Society Texas Center’s website for 31 ways to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander/Asian Pacific American Heritage Month!
 

 
HOUSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY REOPENING
Last week, the Houston Public Library (HPL) announced that eleven neighborhood and regional libraries will open for EXPRESS BROWSING with limited (50%) capacity beginning May 10th, 2021.

  • Customers will be able to go in and use the library for up to one hour at a time to browse the collection, check out materials, and use library computers.
  • No appointments will be needed to come into the library for this service; customers will be allowed in on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • For hours of service and more information visit www.houstonlibrary.org/frequently-asked-questions or call 832-393-1313.

Libraries Reopening for EXPRESS BROWSING in and around District F include:

For the safety of customers and staff, COVID-19 health procedures will be implemented. HPL will continue offering Virtual Programing, HPL To Go Curbside Service, and Interview Room Access, as well its online services for kids, teens, and adults. For further information, visit the Houston Public Library at www.houstonlibrary.org, on Twitter @houstonlibrary, on Facebook – houstonlibrary, or call 832-393-1313.

 
The Robinson-Westchase Library is currently providing curbside service. It is included in HPL’s plans for opening additional libraries for the EXPRESS BROWSING model. Stay tuned for more updates.
 
 

If you have missed rental or utility payments due to being impacted by the pandemic, apply for assistance from the Houston-Harris County Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Assistance will NOT be first-come, first-served.  To receive help over the phone, call 832-402-7568.

To check on your application status, click