HCFCD Data Shows Socially Vulnerable Zip Codes Receive 80% of Buyouts
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis, and Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia are pushing the idea of a Community Resilience Task Force focused on helping socially vulnerable neighborhoods receive a higher percentage of the $2.5 billion flood bond.
However, zip codes that rank in the top 50% of the CDC’s Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) already receive 80% of Harris County Flood Control District buyouts and 79% of the District’s active mitigation projects.
FOIA Request Reveals Emphasis on SVI Index
Data obtained from HCFCD via the Freedom of Information Act shows that in Harris County…
…the two most socially vulnerable quartiles are FOUR TIMES more likely to receive a buyout.
HCFCD Buyouts Favor Socially Vulnerable Population 4:1
Here’s how that looks as a pie chart.
This is not surprising. For months, Hidalgo, Ellis and Garcia have pushed the District to incorporate the Social Vulnerability Index into its priorities. It has worked.
Do We Need More Balance?
Socially vulnerable neighborhoods get 80% of HCFCD buyouts and 79% of flood bond projects. Do those seem like fair percentages to you?
Tell the County Judge Your Opinion
The County Judge’s office is inviting the public to share their thoughts and ideas on the proposed draft bylaws of the Community Resilience Task Force that encourages even more spending by social vulnerability guidelines.
You can register your opinion from now until July 30th, 2020, via one of the following methods:
- Email CRTF@cjo.hctx.net and submit comments digitally, beginning July 21
- Join a virtual focus group via Zoom. After registering, participants will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
- Register here for July 30th at 10am
For More Information
For more information on the “equity bias,” see this series on “Where Flood Mitigation Dollars Have Really Gone.” It was developed a year ago so the focus is on historical spending.
Or this series:
- NY Times Story of Flood Bond Spending
- Equity Bias
- Kingwood Drainage Assessment Battle Over Equity
- Precinct Four Metro Funding Comes under Equity Attack
- Biggest Stories of 2019
- Flood Bond Project Priorities
Posted by Bob Rehak on 7/29/2020
1065 Days since Hurricane Harvey