Harris County Moves to Protect $322 Million in Federal Flood Funding While Advancing Critical Flood Mitigation Projects
As Harris County continues to face the realities of living in one of the most flood-prone regions in the country, local leaders are advancing a strategy designed to keep critical flood mitigation projects moving forward while protecting hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding.
The Harris County Flood Control District, working alongside the Harris County Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and the Texas General Land Office (GLO), has unveiled a proposed path forward focused on preserving a $322 million Community Development Block Grant–Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) contract and ensuring flood risk reduction projects continue delivering benefits to residents across the county.
If approved, the plan would not only help Harris County meet federal deadlines but could also create an opportunity for approximately $125 million in additional flood mitigation investments, expanding future flood protection efforts in neighborhoods throughout the county.
Why This Matters for Harris County Residents
For many Harris County families, flood mitigation projects are more than infrastructure improvements—they are investments in safety, property protection, neighborhood resilience, and long-term recovery from devastating storms.
The proposed strategy comes as Harris County works against a federal deadline of February 28, 2027, to complete projects funded through the CDBG-DR program. Missing those deadlines could put federal funding at risk and delay projects intended to reduce flood hazards in vulnerable communities.
County officials say the new approach is designed to ensure projects remain on track while maintaining the full scope of work originally promised under multiple federal funding programs.
“This plan keeps Harris County moving forward,” said Dr. Tina Petersen, executive director of the Harris County Flood Control District. “We've worked closely with the GLO to develop this plan, and it builds on the partnership we've had with their office since before the program began. It protects federal funding, maintains and strengthens our commitment to communities, and ensures residents receive the flood risk reduction benefits these programs were designed to deliver. The funding strategy may be changing, but our commitment to delivering these projects remains the same.”
What the Proposed Plan Would Do
The strategy centers on three coordinated actions intended to maximize available funding and accelerate project delivery.
Phasing Projects Across Funding Programs
Under the proposal, certain flood mitigation projects would be delivered in phases. Initial work would be completed using CDBG-DR funding before transitioning later phases to Community Development Block Grant–Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) funding.
Officials say this approach would allow Harris County to meet federal spending deadlines while preserving the full scope and intended benefits of ongoing projects.
Moving Fast-Tracking Projects Into CDBG-DR
The plan would also shift seven subdivision drainage projects currently funded through HCD's CDBG-MIT program into the CDBG-DR program.
County leaders say the move would maximize eligible use of disaster recovery funding and free up approximately $125 million within the mitigation program for future flood reduction efforts.
Evaluating Additional Opportunities
The Flood Control District and HCD will continue exploring ways to utilize any remaining CDBG-DR funds, including planning studies, additional drainage projects, project transfers, and other acceleration strategies.
Projects Already Underway
According to county officials, significant progress has already been made.
All CDBG-DR projects have been bid for construction. Seven projects totaling more than $70 million are currently under active construction, with four additional projects expected to enter construction by the end of June.
Meanwhile, three CDBG-MIT projects totaling more than $65 million are also under active construction.
The proposed funding adjustments are intended to build on that momentum while addressing challenges that arose after Harris County received the funding in October 2023.
Officials noted that large-scale flood mitigation projects must navigate complex engineering requirements, evolving federal regulations, construction market pressures, and accelerated timelines that were not originally designed for projects of this scale.
Leaders Emphasize Need for Faster Delivery
Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham said continued process improvements will be essential to making the plan successful.
“The Texas General Land Office continues to work side by side with Harris County Flood Control to find practical solutions for the challenges presented by federal deadlines,” Buckingham said. “However, this plan only works if Harris County leaders address systematic process improvements to expedite approvals and get projects moving faster.”
Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia described the proposal as a way to honor commitments made to communities awaiting flood protection improvements.
“Residents expect us to use every available tool and strategy to reduce flood risk, protect neighborhoods, and move projects forward with urgency,” Garcia said. “The GLO is right that we must continue improving processes, removing unnecessary delays, and accelerating delivery.”
Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones echoed the importance of maintaining momentum.
“In Harris County, we know it’s just a matter of time before the next big storm hits,” Briones said. “Together, we can keep critical projects moving, protect federal dollars, and strengthen the long-term safety and resiliency for the Texans who need it most.”
HCD Executive Director Thao Costis said the collaborative effort demonstrates how agencies can work together to solve complicated funding challenges while creating new opportunities for residents.
“By coordinating across CDBG-DR and CDBG-MIT programs, we can protect disaster recovery funding, keep committed projects moving, and create new opportunity for $125 million in additional mitigation investments,” Costis said.
What Happens Next
The Harris County Flood Control District will present the proposed path forward for discussion and possible action during the June 11, 2026, Harris County Commissioners Court meeting. Learn more about this meeting and ways you can participate here.
Any changes remain subject to applicable U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Texas General Land Office reviews, approvals, and regulations.
For residents who have experienced repeated flooding or who live near ongoing flood mitigation projects, the proposal represents an effort to keep critical improvements on schedule while maximizing available federal resources. As Harris County continues to grow and prepare for future storms, officials say maintaining project momentum remains essential to protecting communities across the region.
Residents can stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for updates as Harris County Commissioners Court considers the proposal and flood mitigation projects continue moving forward.
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.
