The Carter Chronicles: September, 2026

Friends,

September brings a change of pace to Houston. The long days of summer begin to give way to cooler mornings, school bells, and a renewed sense of purpose.

As we turn the page on summer, the work at City Hall continues. Homelessness remains one of Houston’s most urgent challenges. We must do more than move people from one place to another. We must connect those living on our streets with shelter, services, and a pathway toward stability, while protecting the safety and quality of life of our neighborhoods.

At the 419 Emancipation facility, the work is moving forward to establish a place where people experiencing homelessness can access shelter, resources, and support. This is an important step, but it is only part of the larger effort. We must remain focused on accountability, sustainable funding, and measurable results.

Our commitment at City Hall is to keep asking the tough questions: Are we reaching the people who need help most? Are our resources being used effectively? And are we doing enough to ensure that Houston’s streets, parks, and neighborhoods remain safe and welcoming?

These are not issues solved overnight, but they are issues that deserve our attention, our persistence, and our best efforts every day.

As summer winds down, I hope you’ll take a moment to enjoy the simple gifts of the season - time with family, a walk through the neighborhood, or a quiet evening watching the sun set. These moments remind us that community is built not only in council chambers, but in the everyday connections we share.

Thank you for the privilege of serving you. I remain committed to listening, working, and delivering on the issues that matter most to our neighborhoods.

Onward and upward,

Click here for a larger view of the domestic violence statistics from above.

RESILIENCE COMMITTEE

Preparing Houston for What Comes Next

The September Resilience Committee meeting focused on two different aspects of a more resilient Houston—keeping pollution out of our waterways and making sure the City has trained employees ready to step in when disaster strikes.

University of Houston researchers presented ideas for tackling waterway pollution, including a “Bubble Barrier” that uses a curtain of air bubbles to guide floating trash toward a collection point without blocking boats or wildlife. Researchers also discussed using observation and computer vision to better understand where trash is entering Houston waterways and help target prevention efforts.

The committee also heard an update on the Houston Employee Response Team (HERT), which trains City employees to help staff warming and cooling centers, distribution sites, and other emergency operations when additional help is needed. Houston now has approximately 150 trained HERT employees, and during its pilot activation for Winter Storm Fern earlier this year, team members helped support warming centers that served nearly 2,000 residents over two winter-weather weekends.

Join us for our next meeting:

October 15 at 2:00 p.m. at City Hall

901 Bagby, 2nd Floor, Houston, TX 77002

To learn more about Resilience Committee meetings, click here.

OUT AND ABOUT

Council Member Carter’s Fall Tour Hits the Road

Council Member Carter has officially kicked off her Fall Tour, beginning two months of visits with neighborhoods and organizations across Houston. The first stop was at the Westchase Management District, where she discussed her top priorities including homelessness and domestic violence.

The tour continues throughout September and October with stops at Super Neighborhoods, Management Districts, TIRZ meetings, HPD PIP meetings and a Council Member Fred Flickinger town hall. By taking part in meetings already happening across the city, Council Member Carter is bringing the conversation directly to Houstonians and hearing firsthand about the priorities and concerns unique to different parts of town.

Happy 190th Birthday, Houston!

Houston celebrated 190 years of history on August 29 with a birthday celebration at The Heritage Society in Sam Houston Park. The family-friendly afternoon offered Houstonians a chance to explore the city’s story through historic home tours, museum exhibits, youth activities, and a look at the many cultures that helped shape Houston into the city it is today.

Council Member Carter joined Mayor John Whitmire and Council Member Willie Davis for the ceremonial cake cutting, marking a milestone that dates back to August 30, 1836, when brothers Augustus and John Allen first advertised their new city to prospective settlers. With Houston’s bicentennial now just a decade away, the celebration was both a look back at 190 years of history and a reminder that our city’s story is still being written.

Celebrating 35 Years of Houston’s East End

Houston’s East End brought a taste of the neighborhood to City Hall in August as the Houston East End Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 35th anniversary with East End Day. The celebration featured 14 local restaurants and vendors during a “Taste of the East End,” showcasing some of the flavors, businesses, and people that make this historic part of Houston so unique. The celebration continued in the Council Chamber, where Mayor John Whitmire proclaimed August 11, 2026, as Houston East End Chamber of Commerce's 35th Anniversary and East End Day in recognition of the Chamber’s work supporting businesses, workforce development, and economic growth.

For Council Member Carter, the day also brought back some childhood memories. She shared her own connection to the East End, recalling her days at Burnett Elementary and neighborhood landmarks she remembers from more than 50 years ago. From its historic roots to its longstanding connection with Port Houston and the businesses investing there today, the East End remains an important part of Houston’s story.

Standing Together Against Antisemitism

Council Member Carter joined the inaugural Houston Jewish Community Leadership Forum and Elected Official Meet & Greet at the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center where Jewish leaders briefed elected officials from across federal, state, and local government on rising antisemitism, security concerns, and the experiences of Jewish families. Leaders shared that more than 80 Jewish organizations and over 65,000 Jewish people in the Houston area rely on an extensive network of partnerships to help keep their institutions safe.

This gathering offered opportunities for both serious conversation and fellowship, reinforcing the importance of ensuring Houston remains a city where our Jewish neighbors can live, worship, and gather safely and without fear.

Real Estate Advocacy in Action

Houston’s real estate industry brought important conversations to the table in August, giving Council Member Carter an opportunity to hear directly from professionals working in both residential and commercial real estate. At Houston Association of Realtors (HAR) Advocacy in Action, she met with Realtors to discuss issues affecting the industry, private property owners, and Houston’s continued growth.

Following Houston Building Owners and Managers Association's (BOMA) Commercial Real Estate Advocacy Day, Council Member Carter joined members and fellow City leaders for a reception at Adair Downtown, where conversations from the day continued. Houston BOMA’s advocacy efforts focus on issues affecting commercial properties and businesses, including permitting, building codes, property taxes, flood mitigation, and workforce development.

Partnering with HPD Across Houston

The Positive Interaction Program (PIP) continues to give Houstonians a direct connection with the Houston Police Department and a place to learn about public safety issues affecting their neighborhoods. Council Member Carter spoke at the Clear Lake PIP meeting, sharing updates on Houston’s response to homelessness and discussing domestic violence—two issues that continue to impact families and neighborhoods across the city.

With an at-large office, there’s a lot of Houston to cover—and Council Member Carter makes sure her team is spread across the city listening and learning. This month, the At-Large 3 Team heard about the challenges of investigating animal cruelty cases at Northwest PIP, got a closer look at the Houston Forensic Science Center at Midwest PIP, and learned more about HPD’s Mental Health Division at Southwest Civic PIP. At Northeast PIP, the conversation centered on 419 Emancipation and its role in connecting people experiencing homelessness with resources and services.

Interested in attending a PIP meeting?

Contact the At-Large 3 Office at 832-393-3005, and we'll be happy to share the September meeting schedule dates, times, and locations to help you get connected in your area.

Staying Connected to Houston’s Neighborhoods

Some of the best conversations about Houston happen right in our neighborhoods. Council Member Carter visited Washington Avenue Coalition/Memorial Park Super Neighborhood #22 alongside HPD Chief J. Noe Diaz, where she spoke about the City’s response to homeless encampments and ongoing efforts to address cleanup and quality-of-life concerns around Houston.

Keeping a pulse on what’s happening neighborhood by neighborhood is an important part of Council Member Carter’s work, and throughout the month she made sure her office remained connected to communities across Houston. The At-Large 3 Team represented her at Super Neighborhood meetings in Hiram Clarke #40, Neartown/Montrose #24, Greater Fifth Ward #55, Spring Branch #85, Brays Oaks #36, Second Ward #63, Acres Home #6, Greater Eastwood/Lawndale/Wayside #64/#88, Pleasantville #57, and Memorial #16.

These neighborhood gatherings create a valuable space for residents, civic groups, and local organizations to stay informed, share concerns, and work together on the issues affecting their part of Houston.

NEWS YOU CAN USE

Council Member Carter Opposes New A/C Ordinance

Houston City Council approved a new ordinance requiring air conditioning in residential properties by a 12–2 vote, with Council Member Carter voting against the measure. During the Council meeting, she explained that while she supports the goal of protecting tenants from extreme heat, she could not support an unfunded mandate that will ultimately increase housing and utility costs for the very residents the ordinance is intended to help.

Drawing from her own childhood experiences with housing and financial instability, Council Member Carter urged City leaders to consider the real-life costs that can come with well-intended policies. The new ordinance takes effect December 17, 2026. Her full statement to Council is below.

A New Approach to Homelessness in West Houston

A West Houston partnership is showing how a different approach to homelessness can help people move toward long-term stability. Council Member Carter joined Mayor John Whitmire and local leaders at West Houston Assistance Ministries (WHAM) in August to highlight the Energy Corridor Housing Stability Program, a collaboration between the Energy Corridor District, WHAM, and Harris County Precinct 5 Constable’s Office.

Rather than simply moving individuals experiencing homelessness from one location to another, deputies can connect them directly with WHAM, where case managers help address barriers such as identification, employment, transportation, food, and temporary housing. The program has already helped 55 individuals and families move toward self-sufficiency.

Council Member Carter committed $10,000 to support the effort, joining other local leaders investing in the program and its expansion. Council Members Tiffany Thomas, Amy Peck, and Mary Nan Huffman were also among those supporting the initiative. The effort connects with Houston’s broader homeless-response network through WHAM’s partnership in The Way Home, led by the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County.

Lake Houston Dredging and Maintenance District

A new effort to keep Lake Houston flowing and better protected from flooding officially got underway in August. Council Member Carter joined Council Member Fred Flickinger and State Representative Charles Cunningham for the inaugural meeting of the Lake Houston Dredging and Maintenance District on August 17, where the new board was sworn in and began organizing its work. The board met again on August 24 to begin discussing its most immediate needs.

The new district is designed to give the Lake Houston area a more consistent, long-term approach to removing the sand and sediment that naturally builds up in the lake and surrounding waterways. That buildup can reduce water capacity and contribute to flooding concerns, making regular maintenance important for families throughout the Lake Houston area. The district will also explore ways to catch sediment before it travels farther downstream, while protecting the water quality of Lake Houston—one of our city’s major sources of drinking water.

Recognizing Those Making a Difference

Council Member Carter had the opportunity to recognize several organizations making an impact in Houston and beyond this month. She presented a City of Houston proclamation recognizing August 18 as Cheniere Public Parks Impact Day, celebrating Cheniere Energy and its employees for investing more than $600,000 in improvements across 14 Houston parks over the past five years. Their support has helped improve soccer fields and recreational spaces where Houston children and families can play, stay active, and enjoy their neighborhoods.

Council Member Carter also provided Certificates of Appreciation recognizing two special milestones. Epilepsy Foundation Texas launched the nation’s first Mobile Epilepsy Clinic, designed to bring specialized neurological care, education, and support directly to underserved communities across Texas. She also recognized Nixon Home Care on its 26th anniversary, celebrating more than a quarter-century of providing care and support for seniors and adults with disabilities while helping families and caregivers across the Houston area.

COUNCIL MATTERS

Houston City Council approved several agenda items in August focused on public safety, fire protection, homelessness, parks, and investments in essential City services. Below are a few highlights:

From Kingwood, For Kingwood! On the horizon, a new HFD Station on Kingwood Dr - approved 4.5 acre land purchase and funding for architectural services to design a new five-bay station
Supporting First Responders - $3.98M approved for much needed equipment for Houston Fire Department
Supporting HPD - $1.8M approved for HPD body-cameras, radios and communication technology
PROGRESS in Solid Waste – authorized $675K for compacting equipment needed to improve capacity at neighborhood depositories, a step in the right direction to address illegal dumping
HPD Matters – $2.5M for TASERs, accessories, and supplies for our officers AND approved $347K for high-speed printing equipment needed to improve operations and secure sensitive police data
Just said NO for you Hou to CenterPoint’s request for another rate increase - we all agreed residents are paying enough!
Homeless Matters - approved application for $12M federal grant funding for recovery, treatment, and transitional housing
Building a better HPD and HFD - we appropriated much needed funding for fleet equipment.
Another win for HFD - Station 16 on Richmond Ave is getting much needed repairs, approved $1.03M.
We're getting closer, Kingwood! Authorized contract for pre-construction services for Fire Station 104 - to be located on the north side of Kingwood Dr between Royal Forest Dr & Chestnut Ridge Dr.
First Responders 1st - approved much-needed repairs at HFD's Val Jahnke Training Facility.
Parks Matter! Collaboration is key, improvements are coming to Mason Park and Eastwood Park - $12M funded by TIRZ 23/Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority.

From supporting Houston’s first responders to investing in parks, homelessness initiatives, and neighborhood infrastructure, these actions represent continued work to strengthen City services and improve quality of life for Houstonians.

HOUSTON HAPPENINGS

Scan the QR-code or click here to join the interest list.

To get tickets, scan the QR code above or visit heritagesociety.org.

Hispanic Heritage Read-In: Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month through the power of stories at the Carnegie Neighborhood Library and Center for Learning. This special read-in will highlight the rich literature, voices, and cultural contributions of Hispanic and Latino authors while honoring stories that reflect heritage, history, and identity. The event will take place Wednesday, September 16, 2026, from 5:00–6:00 p.m. and is open to all ages. Those interested should email Alyssa.Dean@houstontx.gov or call 832-393-1720.

Jesse H. Jones Building 50th Celebration: Step back into 1976 as Houston Public Library celebrates 50 years of the Jesse H. Jones Building at Central Library. This festive, decade-themed celebration will feature a special storytime, 1970s trivia, creative crafts for adults and families, and music that brings the era to life. Guests are encouraged to come dressed in their favorite festive attire. The celebration will take place Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. at Central Library and is open to all ages.

For more Houston Public Library events in September, click here.