GROUPS NEEDED TO HELP ELDERLY AND PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED RESIDENTS WITH STORM DEBRIS: HEAVY TRASH SCHEDULES RESUME DECEMBER 1ST
November 6, 2008
The City of Houston’s Mayor Bill White announced on Thursday, November 6, 2008 that the City of Houston is launching a program called ”Neighbors Helping Neighbors” to assist elderly and physically challenged residents remove Hurricane Ike debris from their backyards to the curb. The “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” Program is seeking volunteers from faith-based and other social organizations to assist with this effort which will be kicked-off on Saturday, November 15, 2008. The program also encourages neighbors to reach out beyond their property lines to those in their community who are in dire need of storm debris cleanup.
City of Houston Solid Waste Management Director Harry Hayes announced that heavy trash schedules will resume on December 1st and that he strongly encourages residents to get their storm debris to the curb by Wednesday, November 19th to allow the Solid Waste Management Department adequate time to get the material collected prior to the holidays and for maximum FEMA reimbursement.
“Although, the City of Houston has collected over 125,010 truckloads (4,774,685 cubic yards) of storm debris, there are still Houstonians who are in need of assistance,” reported Mayor Bill White. “We encourage Houstonians to roll up their sleeves and help their neighbors. If you can help get the material to the curb, the City of Houston will ensure that it is collected. If removal of debris presents a hazard, residents are not asked to put themselves at risk, call 311 for assistance.”
Rogene Calvert, Director of the Mayor’s Volunteer Initiatives Program, “If you or someone you know is 60 and over or physically-challenged and needs assistance with storm debris removal, please call 3-1-1, the City’s Customer Service Hotline. We will then assign a group to assist. Harry Hayes added, “We realize that a number of homeowners still have the blue roofs and are waiting for their insurance adjusters and/or checks needed for home repairs. We will continue to work with those individuals who need to get their storm debris cleared from the curb. We are requesting that they also call 3-1-1.
For new developments in the department’s response to Hurricane Ike, please log on to www.houstonsolidwaste.org or call 3-1-1, the City’s Customer Service Hotline.
The Solid Waste Management Department provides solid waste service to the citizens of Houston through the collection, disposal and recycling of discarded material in a manner that is safe, efficient, environmentally sound and cost-effective.
