the mcnairs step up

Texans co-owner Janice McNair pledges $1 million for Houston rental relief fund

Janice McNair (pictured with husband, Bob) has just made a generous donation to local renters in need.

Photo by David Shutts

As Houston is gripped by the global coronavirus pandemic, thousands of residents are in a desperate need to pay their rent. As CultureMap new partner ABC13 reports, a $20 million rental relief package that intends to help Houstonians most at risk of eviction unanimously passed a city council vote with city council August 5.

Meanwhile, a beloved member of the local sports community has stepped up to help those Houstonians in need. Houston Texans co-founder and Senior Chair Janice S. McNair and the McNair family have donated $1 million to the second rent relief package for the city of Houston.

The funds will be distributed to the most vulnerable families first who cannot pay rent due to economic challenges caused by COVID-19, according to a press release.

Funding for the city's second rental relief package includes $15 million from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act — also known as the CARES Act — and $5 million from private donors.

This recent $1 million contribution is just the latest in grants from the McNairs. The family and the Houston Texans Foundation has donated $1 million to COVID-19 recovery efforts, which include the Houston Food Bank, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston, the YMCA of Greater Houston, the Greater Houston COVID-19 Recovery Fund, Southern Smoke, and more.

“So many are struggling to provide for their families during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Janice McNair, in a statement. “It was extremely important to me and my family to step up and make sure the most vulnerable in our community don't lose their homes at this critical time. It’s one thing we can do to keep families together and provide some hope to people who need it. I’m thankful to Mayor Turner for providing programs focused on assisting our neighbors.”

Those looking for more information about the Houston Rent Relief Package can visit HoustonRentAssistance.org.

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granting a reprieve

Harris County forgives hundreds of small business loans for struggling locals

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Dr. Randy Mitchmore (center, pictured with his staff) is one of the hundred of recipients of the new gift.

The global pandemic has wreaked havoc on local small businesses; many have struggled without savings, credit, and capital to continue on during the downturn. For some immediate relief, Harris County and the Houston-Galveston Area Council (HGAC) offered some 444 area small businesses interest-free loans of up to $25,000 earlier this year.

The loans would be forgiven in five years, per the initial Harris County COVID-19 Forgivable Loan Program agreement.

Now, in some feel-good, holiday news, the loans have been converted into grants, thanks to federal CARES Act funding received by the county, according to a statement by Harris County and Houston-Galveston Area Council.

“Many of the owners have already made use of the funds they received. Knowing that they don’t have to pay it back, that it’s all theirs, gives them one less thing to worry about at a time when so many have been impacted,” said Omar Fortune, manager of the Houston-Galveston Area Local Development Corporation (H-GALDC), in a statement. (The organization handled the underwriting process and distribution of loans to small businesses.) “We’re pleased to be able to provide this gift to these small businesses that are so important to our region. That it’s happening during the holiday season makes it even more special.”

Originally launched on April 9, the Harris County COVID-19 Forgivable Loan program distributed $10 million to the 444 small businesses by the summer. On October 6, Harris County approved the loan conversion to grants, according to a press release. Small businesses that had already begun paying back their loans have had their payments reimbursed by the county, according to HGAC.

Local business owners are “ecstatic” upon hearing the news, according to H-GAC. “ This whole experience has been an emotional roller coaster, but I’m extremely positive about the future,” said Museum District-area dentist, Dr. Randy Mitchmore, in a statement. “I’m proud to own a small business, and we have a direct impact on the local community. I’m also grateful for this program and that it was able to help small businesses as intended.”

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