The City of Houston continues to neglect the health and well being of People in NE Houston by not investing in our drainage system, by providing no way for us to meaningfully participate in drainage investment decisions and by continuing to ignore the risks that this neglect causes. This lack of investment and democratic process is part of a long pattern of Houston failing to provide equal services to Black and Brown communities.

Northeast Houston has a majority open ditch drainage system. The same district has over 50% of subsidized housing for families, the largest creosote deposit in Texas, a concentration of truck and train yards and the city’s biggest landfill.  It is also home to many of the city’s sewage leaks. While closed drainage is maintained by the city, we are required to maintain open ditches ourselves — that is not equal treatment. The lack of upkeep, frequent rains and prevalence of environmental hazards in our communities mean that poor drainage is a serious threat to our health. 

For the past two years the NAC tried to participate in the budget process, and other processes to improve flood protection in our communities. In each case we have been told we were too late, we didn’t follow the right process or went to the wrong meeting. But when we did go to meetings related to drainage spending, we heard that our voices were inappropriate, or that drainage decisions were made elsewhere. We keep hearing this message because it is true: there is no way for marginalized residents to improve conditions in their neighborhoods through official channels.