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Judge Lina Hidalgo of Harris County has asked President Joe Biden's Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to investigate the formula used to assess federal funding allocations after Houston and Harris County's applications were denied, according to a press report.
Hidalgo made the appeal following reports that approximately $1 billion in federal funds intended to assist areas affected by Hurricane Harvey would not be coming to Houston.
"I’m asking for President Biden’s HUD to audit the formula and ensure funds are earmarked for Harris County from the 'Harvey Mitigation' funding," Hidalgo stated in a tweet.
Hidalgo stated the magnitude of the damage caused by Hurricane Harvey more than qualified Houston for the funds while underscoring the city's vulnerability to climate change.
"It is unconscionable that the very community hit with the most flooded structures by far during Hurricane Harvey received nothing as part of this 'Harvey Mitigation' allocation," Hidalgo told KHOU. "Harris County is ground zero for catastrophic flooding and the most consequential impacts of climate change."
Adrian Garcia of Harris County Precinct 2 stated the City of Houston and the majority of Harris County were removed from the list after the Texas General Land Office determined that neither jurisdiction received a sufficient score on their funding applications.
“All of Harris County has been left out of the equation, including the City of Houston, and with the scientists, the engineers that we have, I can’t understand that our application would have any challenges,” Garcia said.
Nearly four years ago, Hurricane Harvey devastated the Greater Houston area with widespread flooding. The funds from the rejected application were to be used to assist in rebuilding and upgrading the area's flood prevention systems.
According to Garcia, the county had sought up to $900 million to upgrade floodways and finance drainage projects.
Additionally, Hidalgo told KHOU that the county received a verbal commitment for $1 billion in federal funds to be given by the state prior to her taking office. However, the county never received this commitment in writing.