Dear neighbor,

It has been a busy few months for the House Appropriations Committee, which is a powerful committee that sets the funding levels for the federal government. I have the privilege of serving as the Chairman of the Commerce, Justice, and Science Subcommittee on Appropriations. My chairmanship affords me the opportunity to use the power of the purse to fight back against federal overreach, as I am doing with sanctuary cities and the ATF, and also prioritize necessary projects that will improve our community. 

This week, the House Appropriations Committee approved the fiscal year 2017 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) bill. I worked to include provisions in this legislation that will benefit Congressional District 7.

As your congressman, my number one priority is to protect and improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods.

In January, I learned that a Low-Income Housing Tax Credit development was being planned at 2640 Fountain View Drive.  According to the Houston Housing Authority, this multi-family project would zone an additional 60 children to Briargrove Elementary. Briargrove Elementary is already far beyond capacity with many students in the area waitlisted to attend. This proposed government housing development would burden an already overcrowded school.

In addition to the impact on Briargrove Elementary, the Houston Housing Authority (HHA) did not inform the community until well into the project’s development. Communities have a right to know about any housing projects that will affect their neighborhood, but HHA’s lack of transparency has taken away the neighborhood's say in the matter.

As a result, I included language in the THUD Appropriations bill that requires the HUD Secretary to notify elected officials when a housing project is proposed in their area of jurisdiction.  This change will allow constituents to be made aware of any projects that will potentially affect their children’s schools, traffic congestion, and neighborhoods. The provision I included in this legislation gives our community a voice from the beginning of a project's development.

In the meantime, I will continue to work with local officials to find an area better suited to handle the traffic congestion and additional students that this project would bring to the Briargrove neighborhood.

Nothing is more important than protecting our quality of life and this provision will continue to make Congressional District 7 a great place to work and live.

It is an honor and a privilege to represent you and Texas in the United States House.

Sincerely,

John Culberson