Governor Abbott was in attendance along with local school district leaders and organizations.
KERRVILLE, Texas — On Thursday, the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country announced a major update on its plans to help families impacted by July’s deadly floods.
Austin Dixon, CEO of the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country said $40 million has been committed toward a new housing fund as part of their long-term recovery plan. Construction is reportedly going on now.
“Rebuilding a safe stable place to call home is at the heart of recovery,” Dixon said. “This is more than bricks and lumbar. It’s about restoring stability, dignity and hope for families.
Dixon also mentioned that during the first 45 days since recovery efforts began, the foundation granted $16 million to support more than 50 nonprofit organization that worked directly with flood survivors. The grants have also helped more than 700 families, supported over 200 small business, funded 17 volunteer fire departments and two public school districts including Hunt and Ingram.
The foundation has organized their response into four main categories which encompasses housing, mental health and well-being, economic recovery and quality of life and long-term recovery needs.
Dixon also thanked multiple organizations and partners that helped with the recovery efforts including Governor Abbot, federal officials, Airbnb.org, local nonprofits and builders.
The foundation has also established a local advisory counsel who will guide funding decisions regarding the $40 million housing commitment.
“This is one of the fastest and largest philanthropic responses ever mounted by a community foundation,” Dixon said. “And it’s proof of what we already know about Texas and the Hill Country – when disaster strikes it brings out the best in all of us.”
Gov. Greg Abbott praised the fast action by the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country.
“In my experience as governor I’ve never seen a community or a foundation respond faster,” Abbott said.
The governor said every time the state has seen a disaster they focus on saving lives, removing debris and legislation – mentioning Senate Bill 1 which would create a comprehensive set of new safety requirements for youth camps.
Abbott said thanks to the generous people in the state of Texas millions of dollars are going to ensure the families impacted get back into their homes.
The governor said 75 families and residences will be housed during the rebuilding process.
Abbott also compared the recovery efforts of the July 4 floods to Hurricane Harvey’s – where funds got stuck in several processes. He then thanked the foundation and its partnering organizations for making sure the Hill Country does not have to deal with those same obstacles.
Several other officials including the Superintended of Hunt ISD Lucy Harmon, and the former Ingram ISD Superintendent Bobby Templeton gave remarks on how the quick responses have helped the districts focus on their students.
“The community foundation has been there time and time again. We’re extremely grateful,” Harmon said.
The school administrators agreed that students thrive when their homes are stable and the foundation has helped them create that steadiness.
Harmon mentioned that schools in Hunt did get hit with some flood damage but they were able to use their building to house first responders before pivoting back to an operating school.
Harmon said that school opened in Hunt on Wednesday.
“The community foundation is making a real tangible difference for our students, our schools in both Ingram and Hunt and our families,” Harmon said. “Together we’re going to ensure that children can focus on learning and healing while their families can rebuild their lives.”