Houston-Harris County Emergency Rental Assistance Program
 
On February 10, 2021, I joined my city council colleagues in supporting our portion of the $159M EMERGENCY rent relief for Houstonians. Next week the council will have an opportunity to support a grace period ordinance through March 2021 to allow time for these funds to be disseminated to families in need. I immediately sent over the attached Q and A about this rent relief program to Judge Wanda Adams who in turn has already shared the information with residents who were in her courtroom facing eviction. It will take all of us working together with a sense of urgency to prevent Houstonians from being evicted while funds are available to assist them. Landlords may enroll beginning February 18, with the application portal opening for renters on February 25 at www.HoustonHarrisHelp.org
Stay encouraged and take care of each other!
 
 

Calling all Artists!
UP Art Studio is excited to announce the 2021 Mini Murals Progam Artist Registry is officially open!
 
“Together with our clients, we are so happy we can provide income to artists through our Mini Murals Program.” — Elia Quiles, UP Art Studio
 
This award-winning program, curated and managed by UP Art Studio, commissions artists to paint small-scale murals on traffic signal control cabinets and other utility cabinets in the right of way in diverse neighborhoods of Texas cities. Over the past 5 years, UP Art Studio has commissioned artists to paint more than 300 Mini Murals. Major funders have included the City of Houston, City of Austin, management districts, and others. The program has many upcoming opportunities for commissions in 2021.
 
How to Apply
 
To apply to join the Artist Registry, artists should visit the Artist Info page at MiniMurals.org and review the following materials:
 
 
The application form, with supporting documents, must be electronically submitted by March 15, 2021. Selected artists will be informed by March 30, 2021.
 
Artists accepted for the Registry receive ongoing notifications of Calls for Renderings. These opportunities to submit ideas for specific, funded Mini Murals commissions are open only to artists in the Mini Murals Artist Registry. Responding to the Call for Artists is therefore an essential foundational step towards receiving a commission. UP Art Studio and its clients particularly seek diverse artists, with lived experience of project areas – which include many underserved areas that historically have been home to people of color. 
 
Applications received after the March 15 deadline will be held for consideration by the review panel until the next Call occurs.
 
 

Panel Replacements Happening on W Bellfort near S Post Oak
 
If you have driven down the east and west bound lanes in the 4800 block of W. Bellfort near South Post Oak, you are going to love this announcement. Construction will begin February 22, 2021 to replace the severely damaged concrete pavement panels. The construction is scheduled to take about 20 days and should be complete by March 14, 2021. We will continue to identify these problems in the district and get them repaired. If you have any questions about the construction please don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected]
 
 

More Covid-19 Vaccines are on the Way!
More vaccines are on the way! So excited to see one of three federally run mass vaccination sites will be at NRG Stadium in District K. The site will be run by FEMA in an effort to speed up the vaccine distribution effort, starting February 24th. Combined, the 3 sites are expected to administer more than 10,000 shots per day. This site is part of President Biden’s goal of administering 1.5 million shots per day and making the vaccine widely available by spring. Continue to wear your masks and stay safe!
 
Click here to see the article in the Texas Tribune discussing the three FEMA-run vaccination sites aimed at underserved Texans.