28 organizations that got money from Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund

First round of distributions totals $7.55 million

HOUSTON – A total of 28 organizations in Houston and Harris County will receive the first round of grants being distributed from the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund, officials announced Tuesday.

The first round of distributions, totaling $7.55 million, represents about 10 percent of the $79 million donated to the fund, which was established by city and county leaders to help those affected by the floods that occurred because of Hurricane Harvey.

"It was clear that the one thing that we had to do was make sure the money went to the people who needed it," Judge Ed Emmett said.

Flood victims can call 211 to ask for services provided by the agencies that received funds Tuesday.

VIDEO: Officials announce first distributions from Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said that it was important that a board representing the community, not politicians, make the decisions on where the money from the fund will go.

"We are complementing the money that are being given by FEMA (the Federal Emergency Managment Agency) and other entities. OK. So we are talking about people who are seniors especially, special needs, people who are in low-income communities. People who may not have flood insurance," Turner said.

Organizers said the board used several factors to determine which groups get the money, including a track record of providing service, the size of the group’s operating budget and the ability to disperse the funds within 90 days.

The foundations board Co-chair Tony Chase said the money will go to affected areas in each and every zip code in Harris County to help with housing, food and other financial needs. 

"It's absolutely critical that we focus our efforts on meeting critical unmet needs of our communities with high concentrations of low-income senior citizens or disabled," Chase said.

He said the board also placed emphasis on groups that are already working with vulnerable populations to help storm victims find temporary housing.

The organizations that received money and the amount each organization received are as follows: 

  • Aldine Education Foundation - $200,000
  • Alliance for Multicultural Community Services - $147,500
  • Avenue Community Development Corporation - $300,000
  • BakerRipley - $1 million
  • Boat People SOS – Houston, Inc. - $94,000
  • Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston - $360,000
  • Chinese Community Center, Inc. - $100,000
  • Coalition for the Homeless/New Hope Housing - $1.75 million
  • Communities In Schools of Houston - $25,000
  • Family Service Center at Houston and Harris County - $40,000
  • Fifth Ward Community Redevelopment Corporation - $140,000
  • Houston Habitat for Humanity, Inc. - $400,000
  • Houston Food Bank - $350,000
  • Humble Area Assistance Ministries - $275,000
  • Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston - $150,000
  • Jewish Family Service – Houston - $343,750
  • Katy Christian Ministries - $110,000
  • Main Street Ministries Houston - $250,000
  • Memorial Assistance Ministries - $350,000
  • Montrose Counseling Center, Inc. - $130,000
  • New Hope Houston - $25,000
  • North Channel Assistance Ministries - $400,000
  • Northwest Assistance Ministries - $250,000
  • Salvation Army - $100,000
  • SEARCH Homeless Services - $55,575
  • Tahirih Justice Center - $40,000
  • Volunteers of America, Inc. - $100,000
  • West Houston Assistance Ministries, Inc.- $66,000

Officials said they hope to make the next round of distributions within a month.

Flood victims can call 211 to ask for services provided by the agencies that received funds Tuesday.

More than 100,000 donors contributed to the fund with an average donation of $80, officials said.

Download the Click2Houston news app in your app store to stay up-to-date with the latest news while you're on the go.

Sign up for KPRC 2 newsletters to get breaking news, sports, entertainment, contests and more delivered straight to your email inbox.