In December, GHBA members and staff met with Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and presented a check for $15,000 to the Imelda Assistance Fund. The GHBA appreciated the opportunity to partner with Judge Hidalgo on such a great community cause.
In 2017, GHBA contributed to the Harvey Assistance Fund established by former Harris County Judge Ed Emmett and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. The funds are very similarly structured.
During the check presentation with Judge Hidalgo, members discussed the organization’s recovery efforts led by remodelers, HomeAid Houston through BuildAid, as well as GHBA’s advocacy efforts in advancing greater funds for infrastructure investment.
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The Imelda Assistance Fund was established to meet the needs of those who have suffered damage during Tropical Storm Imelda and the flooding that followed. The fund will disperse grant money to nonprofit organizations that provide services to individuals. The Imelda Assistance Fund does not give money directly to Imelda flood victims.
The effort between Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo is in cooperation with the Greater Houston Community Foundation (GHCF), a nonprofit organization with deep knowledge of the community and expertise in disaster relief charitable work.
The Imelda Assistance Fund co-chairs have set an ambitious fundraising goal to raise $5 million dollars to help bridge the gap between need and available resources.
Funding priorities are temporary housing, home repairs, furniture, transportation, and emergency assistance. An ongoing needs assessment through the Imelda Survey will also help inform and guide funding priorities.
According to the Imelda Survey results, 2,076 homes in Harris County were damaged as a result of Tropical Storm Imelda and 1,054 of those homes do not have flood insurance. Over 900 respondents reported loss of furniture/furnishings and 889 reported that their vehicle was damaged or totaled as a result of the storm. (Source: www.imeldasurvey.com/data)