Commissioner Lesley Briones Launches Innovative Advisory Committees to Shape the Future of Harris County Precinct 4
In recent months, Commissioner Lesley Briones of Harris County Precinct 4 initiated a unique effort by launching four advisory committees. These groups, comprised of subject matter experts and Precinct 4 team members, focus on critical issues impacting the Precinct - justice and safety, health, infrastructure, and housing and homelessness. The committees have crafted actionable recommendations, delivered to Commissioner Briones on January 22 and 23, to improve the precinct's status, according to a release from the Precinct.
The focus of this effort is in creating policies that echo the community's needs. "To better serve the people of Harris County, our policies must reflect the needs of our communities," Commissioner Briones explains. The Commissioner's team is eager to implement the committees' recommendations, driven by their mission to boost outcomes and foster justice and opportunity for all.
At the recent meetings, the committees unveiled several recommendations. For justice and safety, they proposed promoting the 988 behavioral health crisis line, increasing language access in the court system, and reducing violent crime through environmental design and non-police responses.
The health committee suggested re-establishing a Federally Qualified Health Center contact within Harris County, boosting telemedicine usage, educating on depression signs, and addressing food insecurity through routine food distribution and nutrition counseling.
For the Precinct's infrastructure, the committees recommended prioritizing flood-risk projects in the most susceptible areas, enhancing parks and recreational zones, and recruiting staff and technologies for increased efficiency.
As for housing and homelessness, the committees urged the expansion of financial support programs for low-income families, partnering with the city for more inspectors. A continued investment in the Community COVID Housing Program was also addressed, which supports those experiencing homelessness and escaping domestic violence.
These advisory committees emphasize the importance of diverse and underrepresented voices in shaping public policy, allowing them the opportunity to offer broad-ranging, firsthand experiences and professional insights. Further, the committee aims to foster a future for Harris County Precinct 4 that is shaped by its residents, for its residents.
“The affordability crisis is real, and families deserve quality housing in the communities of their choice,” Sandra Rodriguez, president of the Gulfton Super Neighborhood Council, and chair of the Housing & Homelessness committee, said. “By working with Harris County Precinct 4’s Commissioner Briones, we are taking a step forward in ensuring we are creating housing, not just in specific neighborhoods, but throughout the county.”
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Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
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