Thread by @RodneyEllis

HAPPENING NOW: 2 years after Harvey & 1 year after voters approved a $2.5B flood bond, we will vote on the equity framework to prioritize flood bond projects & build a more resilient Harris County. Watch & read the history of #floodequity. #HarrisThrives pscp.tv/w/cDVFFDFXTEtS…

1/14 #FloodEquityExplained Harvey was a final wakeup call after alarm bells went unanswered.“Historic” floods had made it clear that a perfect storm of unchecked development, climate change & infrastructure disparities threatened Harris County.

2/14 #FloodEquityExplained Many poor, flood-vulnerable neighborhoods, some that flood w/just 6 in. of rain, have been neglected for decades & are w/out critical flood protection because unfair federal funding formulas prioritize property value over people. bit.ly/EquityOpEd

3/14 #FloodEquityExplained It wasn’t just that vulnerable, flood-prone neighborhoods were at the end of a list for flood protection, some didn't even make the list because the property values didn’t stack high enough to protect families from rising waters.

4/14 #FloodEquityExplained Families in these neighborhoods are struggling & recovering at a slower pace because of disparities created before Harvey. Making it worse, the same unfair formula that funds flood protection is also used for federal recovery. bit.ly/FairRecovery

5/14 #FloodEquityExplained It wasn’t Harvey that discriminated against poor neighborhoods, it was decades of failed public policy and neglect. This is why #floodequity matters. bit.ly/PoorHitHard

6/14 #FloodEquityExplained I pledged to fight for an equitable recovery that leaves no one behind. Harvey isn’t our last storm. We can’t build a resilient future for Harris County without addressing how inequality makes some communities vulnerable before, during & after a flood.

7/14 #FloodEquityExplained Early amounts proposed for the flood bond only covered federal matches, leaving neglected neighborhoods out. Again. The higher $2.5B amount was to help fund projects in vulnerable areas that weren't eligible for federal funding. bit.ly/CCEquity

8/14 #FloodEquityExplained To make sure the bond program equitably prioritized vulnerable, high-risk areas that have gone years w/out flood protection, I proposed an equity provision to the flood bond that passed on a 5-0 vote. Equity was always a part of it & meaning was clear.

9/14 #FloodEquityExplained The historic $2.5B flood bond passed with 86% support. It obligated Harris County to develop a fair & holistic equity framework for prioritizing projects to protect vulnerable, flood-prone neighborhoods & build a truly resilient Harris County for all.

10/14 #FloodEquityExplained The framework is the result of months of hard work & careful consideration. It’s a fair, safe & data-driven process that uses flood risk reduction, social vulnerability, existing level of services & other factors to equitably prioritize projects.

11/14 #FloodEquityExplained The CDC’s Social Vulnerability Index fosters resilience & puts human needs first. It shows where people will most likely suffer harm during & after a flood. We can help prevent that suffering w/equitable flood protection & have an obligation to do so.

12/14 #FloodEquityExplained The equity framework gives the greatest weight to reducing flood risk & prioritizes projects safely & fairly to better protect all of Harris County.