Primary Department: Housing and Community Development
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Thao Costis, Executive Director
Secondary Department: N/A
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official: N/A
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Memorandum of Understanding
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A - Not a grant item
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request for approval of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the City of Houston Housing and Community Development Department (City) to coordinate environmental review responsibilities for the Tejano Center Healthy Homes Repair Program, including acceptance of a City-prepared Environmental Review Record (ERR) and clarification of roles related to broad and site-specific environmental reviews in compliance with 24 CFR Part 58.
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Background and Discussion:
The Tejano Center for Community Concerns has been awarded a $2 million U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Healthy Homes Production Grant to implement the Healthy Homes Repair Program within designated census tracts in Harris County. The program will serve households at or below 80 percent of Area Median Income (AMI) and will fund rehabilitation activities in both the City of Houston and unincorporated areas on the east side of Harris County.
HUD regulations require that all activities funded under this grant be environmentally reviewed in accordance with 24 CFR Part 58. Because the majority of the homes anticipated to be served through this program are located within the City of Houston limits, the City has agreed to act as the Responsible Entity (RE) for the environmental review process.
To formalize coordination and ensure regulatory compliance, the City and County propose entering into an MOU that allows for a coordinated environmental review approach. Under the MOU, the City would prepare the Environmental Review Record (ERR), including the broad review and, as applicable, site-specific reviews. The County would have the option to adopt the City’s ERR for homes served outside the City limits, consistent with HUD regulations that allow cooperating agencies to rely on a single environmental review when documented through a written agreement.
The MOU outlines roles and responsibilities for both parties, establishes procedures for communication and documentation, and provides a framework for compliance with environmental requirements while minimizing duplication of effort and administrative burden.
Expected Impact:
Approval of this MOU will allow Harris County HCD to efficiently support the implementation of the Tejano Center Healthy Homes Repair Program by leveraging the City of Houston’s role as Responsible Entity for environmental review. This coordinated approach is expected to:
• Ensure compliance with HUD environmental regulations under 24 CFR Part 58.
• Reduce duplicative environmental review efforts between the City and County.
• Expedite the delivery of healthy home rehabilitation services to low- and moderate-income households.
• Provide regulatory clarity for projects occurring both within and outside City limits.
• Strengthen intergovernmental coordination and streamline program implementation.
The MOU supports timely program delivery while maintaining full environmental compliance.
Alternative Options:
County conducts separate environmental reviews: Harris County HCD could independently complete environmental reviews for homes located outside the City of Houston. This option would increase administrative workload and cost, potentially delay project implementation, and duplicate efforts already being undertaken by the City.
County Strategic Plan Goal: N/A
County Strategic Plan Objective: N/A
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): N/A
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): N/A
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): N/A
Health Initiative (Goal 4): N/A
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): N/A
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): N/A
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:
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Anticipated Court Date: 1/8/2026
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): N/A
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or COVID-19 related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Tory Gunsolley, Chef Program Officer & Walter Peacock, Assistant Director of Planning, Housing and Community Development
Attachments (if applicable): MOU COH County Tejano