Texas Hill Country leaders discuss housing recovery progress nearly a year after devastating July 4 floods
Nearly a year ago, communities in the Texas Hill Country were devastated by floods that claimed the lives of 137 people, 37 of whom were children. On Tuesday, leaders are shared an update on housing recovery for those still facing the impacts.
The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country hosted a news conference at 10 a.m. in a new neighborhood in Kerrville. Leaders promised to share the most comprehensive update yet on housing recovery efforts aimed at helping survivors return to safe, permanent housing. The briefing took place in the new Marisposa neighborhood.
Tuesday's briefing also featured leaders from Habitat for Humanity Kerr County, the Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation, Connective, and the Hunt Preservation Society.
The foundation, a nonprofit based in Kerrville and founded in 1982, says it is dedicated to improving the quality of life across the Hill Country region by connecting donors with community needs.
In addition to the lives lost, the flooding caused between $18 to 22 billion in damage across the region, including to homes and businesses.
"Housing is the foundation"
Austin Dickson, CEO of the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, said nearly a year after the devastation, the results of the work done to help people get back to permanent housing were evident, from housing to mental health.
"Housing has been our single largest investment," he said, "because housing is the foundation upon which every other aspect of recovery depends."
Dickson said 43% of granted funds have been dedicated to housing. In less than a year, Dickson said 130 households had already returned to stable, permanent housing. Another 98 households are actively progressing to that, he added, and more than 180 families are in temporary housing programs.
Dickson also shared his gratitude for the 32 disaster case workers who have helped the survivors navigate the process.
"Thank you for all you have done, and all you continue to do for this community and our home," he said, garnering applause from the gathered audience.