DEVELOPERS, COMMUNITY INVITED TO DISCUSS AFFORDABLE HOUSING INCENTIVES AND PLANNING DECEMBER 3

The ongoing community dialog to support and incentivize affordable housing construction in Austin continues in early December, with Neighborhood Housing and Community Development (NHCD) hosting two meetings for developers and community leaders to discuss expansion of City programs and policies.

The meetings are scheduled for December 3 from 10:30 am to 12 pm, and 6-7:30 pm at the NHCD offices, in the Street-Jones Building, 1000 East 11^th Street.  Members of the public are invited to attend either meeting. 

Items on the agenda for the meeting include:

• Call for Requests for Resolutions supporting 9% Low-Income Housing Tax Credits 
• Promotion of grant applications for Community Housing Development Organizations
• Update of changes and corrections to Housing Development Assistance process
• Review of new Tenant Protection Lease Addendum (start of 30-day comment period)
• Promotion for Permanent Supportive Housing units and the Housing Trust Fund

The community dialog began in December 2018, as NHCD invited developers and community leaders to provide input on revamping and streamlining the Affordable Housing Development Assistance process, institute new application criteria, and formalized a quarterly review process.

“Over the past year, this process has resulted in NHCD making significant progress for affordable housing construction,” said James May, Community Development Manager for NHCD.  “It allowed NHCD to effectively deploy $20 Million in General Obligation Bonds for approximately 400 new affordable units.”

“As we prepare for next year, we have much to discuss with our development partners and with the community as a whole. To ensure that this conversation can include as many voices as possible,” May said.

For more information, contact May at james.may@austintexas.gov.

AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT TO HONOR 162 RECIPIENTS AT GALA: APD OFFICER COREY TURI TO RECEIVE LIFESAVING AWARD

Just after 5 a.m. on November 19, 2018, Officer Corey Turi responded to a nature unknown urgent in central Austin. A man named Matthew called to report this his fiancé, Jessica, was not breathing. As the call was updated, the situation grew worse. Matthew reported that Jessica was turning blue.

Officer Turi arrived within minutes and took over CPR from Matthew. Officer Turi relayed that Jessica was responding to CPR, but that her breathing was labored. Austin Fire and Austin-Travis County EMS both arrived on scene at which time Austin-Travis County EMS took over CPR. Lee Nudelman of Austin-Travis County EMS later wrote,

“Upon our arrival on scene Officer Turi was performing quality CPR on this patient. We know in EMS that the chain of survival only works if CPR is initiated quickly and effectively and Officer Turi’s willingness and quick action to perform CPR until the Fire Department arrived was an integral part of saving the patient’s life.”

Officer Turi, Jessica, her (now-husband) Matthew and their puppies recently reunited for photos at the Spider House Café where the two had their first date.

Jessica offered the following thoughts:

“I had a witnessed v-fib cardiac arrest with CPR and ROSC at home on Monday. That evening and through Tuesday morning I had 3 more cardiac arrests and 1 cardiac syncope (Long QT, ventricular tachycardia). I spent 6 days in the ICU and a total of 12 days in the hospital. According to the Institute of Medicine, 4 out of 5 cardiac arrests occur in the home, and more than 90% of individuals with cardiac arrest die before reaching the hospital. Decreasing the time between cardiac arrest onset and the first chest compressions is critical. 

No words can express and no act of gratitude can relay my heartfelt appreciation for everything Officer Turi did for me on 11/19/18. If it were not for his speedy arrival, CPR training and collaboration with AFD, I would not be here today. He truly is a super hero.”

Jessica also had a message for Officer Turi:

“It takes a really special person to do what you do. Thank you for being you and choosing to serve others with that amazing heart of yours. You helped bring me back to life and gave me a fighting chance to conquer the many battles that followed suit. You are awesome!”

For his efforts, Officer Turi will be honored with a lifesaving medal at this year’s 2019 Stars of Distinction Awards Gala. The event will take place on November 16, 2019 at the Hilton Austin Downtown located at 500 E. 4^th Street.

AG Paxton Recovers $63.5 Million for State of Texas, U.S. Medicaid Program

AUSTIN – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton today resolved an enforcement action against pharmaceutical product manufacturer Lupin Limited, Lupin Inc. and Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and its Chief Executive Officer Vinita Gupta and Executive Vice President, US Generics Robert Hoffman. The agreement resolves the state’s lawsuit under the Texas Medicaid Fraud Prevention Act (TMFPA) against Lupin for reporting inflated drug prices to the Medicaid program. Under the agreement, Lupin will pay more than $63 million to Texas and the federal government to resolve the claims against it.

“Identifying and preventing Medicaid fraud

HPD & Houston Parks Department Team Up to Support Youth Football Tournament

Beginning at 9:30 a.m. TOMORROW (Saturday, November 16), HPD and the Houston Parks Department will kick off a day-long youth championship flag football tournament. Following opening remarks by Executive Assistant Chief Troy Finner and others, the more than 300 youth will take the field at Gragg Park at 6200 Wheeler Street. This season, hundreds of players from across the city have been coached by Greater Houston Police Activities League (GHPAL) officers at 14 neighborhood parks.  The inter-league tournament marks the culmination of their season, with 10-12 teams battling it out for the top four spots and ultimately the championship.

WHAT:   HPD & Houston Parks Team Up to Support Youth Football Tournament

DATE:  TOMORROW (Saturday, November 16)

TIME:  9:30 a.m. Opening Remarks by Executive Assistant Chief Troy Finner and other dignarities 10 a.m. Players take the field

WHERE:  Gragg Park 6200 Wheeler Street

Author Talk and Book Signing with Local Chef and Author Chris Shepherd

Author Talk and Book Signing with Local Chef and Author Chris Shepherd

WHAT: The Houston Public Library will host Houston’s most recognizable chef Chris Shepherd! Recently named Chef of the Year (in the world) by Robb Report, the luxury-lifestyle magazine based in Los Angeles, Chris Shepherd will discuss his latest cookbook, Cook Like a Local: Flavors That can Change How You Cook and See the World, with KPRC news anchor Owen Conflenti.   There will be a book signing to follow the presentation. Copies of Cook Like a Local will available for purchase. Seating is limited, click here to register. Visit www.houstonlibrary.org or call 832-393-1313 for more information. All Houston Public Library events are free and open to the public.

WHEN: Thursday, December 5, 2019 | 6:30 PM - 8 PM

WHERE: Julia Ideson Building, Auditorium 550 McKinney St., 77002 | 832-393-1313

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The Houston Public Library (HPL) operates 37 neighborhood libraries, three HPL Express Libraries, a Central Library, the Houston Metropolitan Research Center, the Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research, The African American Library at the Gregory School, and the Parent Resource Library located in the Children’s Museum of Houston. With more than eight million visits per year in person and online, HPL is committed to excellent customer service and equitable access to information and programs by providing library customers with free use of a diverse collection of printed materials and electronic resources, Internet, laptop and computer use, and a variety of database and reference resources with live assistance online 24/7.   For further information, visit the Houston Public Library at www.houstonlibrary.org, on Twitter @houstonlibrary, on Facebook – houstonlibrary or call 832-393-1313.

Dallas tops in 2019 Digital Cities Survey

Dallas, TX – The City of Dallas made the top 10 list in the 2019 Digital Cities Survey presented by The Center for Digital Government (CDG). 

The survey, in its 19th year, recognizes cities that use technology to tackle social challenges, enhance services, strengthen cybersecurity, and more. 

Dallas was recognized for its online crime reporting tool and for its partnership with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to develop the Dallas Strategic Cybersecurity Plan. 

We’re constantly looking to find ways to provide innovative solutions to improve efficiency, security, and collaboration using technology,” said Hugh Miller, Dallas’ Chief Information Officer. “We intend to continue looking ahead to find ways to use data and technology to improve the services of the City and lives of our residents.”

Dallas was recognized for its online crime reporting tool and for its partnership with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to develop the Dallas Strategic Cybersecurity Plan. 

 “The top Digital Cities this year are taking the IT department far beyond the role of service provider,” said Phil Bertolini, co-director of CDG. “They’re exploring creative ways to leverage their technology investments and redefining the role of the public-sector technology leader at the city level.”

 Dallas will be honored Thursday, November 21, along with the other top 10 winners at a special awards dinner during the National League of Cities’ annual conference in San Antonio.

African American Library at the Gregory School Celebrates their 10th Anniversary with a "State of Black Houston" Symposium

African American Library at the Gregory School Celebrates their 10th Anniversary with a  "State of Black Houston" Symposium

WHAT: Houston Public Library (HPL) invites the community to join us as we celebrate 10 years of preserving Houston's African history and culture at the African American Library at the Gregory School.  The Library's 10th Anniversary celebration brings together a symposium focusing on the "State of Black Houston."  There will be panels of outstanding scholars, activist, practitioners and artists bringing to light the various aspects of life in the City of Houston through the lens of the Black Community in a two day presentation.   This event is free and open to the public. For more details visit: www.houstonlibrary.org.

WHEN: Friday, November 15 | 10 AM - 7 PM Opening Exhibit - We Shall Not Be Moved:  Recent Acquisitions from the Gregory Collection Opening | 10 AM This exhibition highlights the collection’s depth and development, while it brings together a selection of recent acquisitions that have rarely been shown.   Art and the City | 12 PM Dr. Alvia Wardlaw, Michelle barnes, Jamal Cyrus, Eileen Morris Moderator: Lanecia Tinsley Health and the City | 5 PM Dr. Devin Miles, Dr. Valerie Jackson, Sherod Coleman, Dr. Tamisha Jones Moderator: Noah Rattler Food and the City | 7 PM Chris Williams, Keisha Griggs, Michelle Wallace, Don Bowie Moderator: Marcus Davis Saturday, November 16 | 11 AM - 8 PM Education and the City | 11 AM Reagan Flowers, Dipen Bhakta, Isaac Daniels, Marvin Pierre, Ashley Hill, Dr. Malachi Crawford Moderator: Jarvis Taylor Business and the City | 2 PM Carol Guess, Dennis Hatchett, Jackie Adams, Kase Lawal Moderator: Tracey Hawthorne Wash Activism and the City | 5 PM Brandi Holmes, Sam Collins, Shekira Dennis, Deric Muhammad Moderator: Jeffrey Boney Ben Desoto: For Art's Sake | 8 PM Documentary screening, Q&A with Ben Desoto

WHERE: The African American Library at the Gregory School | 1300 Victor St., 77019 | 832-393-1440

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: About the Houston Public Library The Houston Public Library (HPL) operates 35 neighborhood libraries, four HPL Express Libraries, a Central Library, the Houston Metropolitan Research Center, the Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research, The African American Library at the Gregory School, and the Parent Resource Library located in the Children’s Museum of Houston. With more than eight million visits per year in person and online, HPL is committed to excellent customer service and equitable access to information and programs by providing library customers with free use of a diverse collection of printed materials and electronic resources, Internet, laptop and computer use, and a variety of database and reference resources with live assistance online 24/7.   For further information, visit the Houston Public Library at www.houstonlibrary.org, on Twitter @houstonlibrary, on Facebook – houstonlibrary or call 832-393-1313.