Summer is here, and with it comes beautiful weather. However, hurricanes, flooding and dangerous weather conditions pose an enduring concern for the Greater Houston area. Due to rapid urbanization and converging geographical factors, our area is susceptible to severe weather events. The Houston Association of REALTORS® (HAR) is dedicated to tackling these challenges head-on, and one key priority since Hurricane Harvey has been making flood risk management a cornerstone of its mission to serve the community and protect property interests.

In June, at the beginning of hurricane season, HAR collaborated with Clear Channel Outdoor on a countywide billboard campaign urging the public to consider purchasing flood insurance as a precautionary measure against potential major storms. This initiative was underscored by a press conference at Houston City Hall, where key figures such as Mayor John Whitmire and Houston City Council, Jeffrey Evans from the National Weather Service and HAR Chair Thomas Mouton emphasized the profound impact of flooding in Houston. With more than 80 significant storms in recent decades, Houston residents must remain prepared for the possibility of another major storm, particularly as more than 70% of homes flooded during Hurricane Harvey were uninsured.

After Harvey in 2018, Harris County voters were tasked with deciding on the region’s largest bond proposal ever: $2.5 billion for flood-control projects and mitigation efforts. The measure received overwhelming support, passing with an 85% approval rate, thanks in part to the efforts of Houston REALTORS® in mobilizing voter turnout. The bond aided in funding a vast flood-related home buyout program, the completion of several long-ongoing bayou-widening projects, an improved early flood warning system, new floodplain maps, and dredging behind two massive World War II-era dams that were built to protect central Houston from catastrophic flooding but became a flashpoint after Harvey when thousands of homes on both sides of the dams were inundated.

HAR collaborates closely with Texas REALTORS®, the National Association of REALTORS® and local business stakeholders and organizations like Houston Stronger to advance flood risk management initiatives. HAR is a founding member of Houston Stronger, and over the past five years, Houston Stronger has been instrumental in securing substantial local, state and federal funding.

A few big wins include:

  • Successfully advocated alongside our congressional delegation, resulting in $17.4 billion directed to the Houston/Galveston U.S. Army Corps of Engineers through the Bipartisan Budget Act (2018).
  • Advocated for $1.7 billion from the Texas Legislature to establish the Texas Flood Infrastructure Fund (FIF) and support the creation of statewide Regional Flood Planning Groups in 2019.
  • Contributed to the passage of legislation that formed the Gulf Coast Protection District and enhanced bonding capacity for Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs) for parks and recreation projects in 2021.
  • Played a pivotal role in securing an additional $1.3 billion from the State, including $625 million allocated to the Flood Infrastructure Fund, $500 million to the Gulf Coast Protection District, and $50 million earmarked for the Lake Houston Dam Improvement Project in 2023.

As we deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, HAR remains steadfast in its commitment to leading critical policy discussions that impact all Greater Houston area citizens. If you have any questions or issues concerning disaster recovery efforts, please feel free to contact the HAR Governmental Affairs and Advocacy team at govtaffairs@har.com.