KERRVILLE, Texas (KABB/WOAI) — Governor Greg Abbott was in Kerrville on Thursday to announce a multi-million-dollar pledge addressing housing needs in the wake of the deadly Fourth of July floods that devastated Kerr County.
Abbott highlighted community leaders and nonprofit organizations at an afternoon press conference at the Dallas Dautry Memorial Pavilion, underscoring the importance of coordinated efforts in recovery and rebuilding.
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He was joined by the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, which has played a central role in distributing recovery funds to residents and organizations. While lives can’t be replaced the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country announced a $40 million Housing Recovery Fund to help those across Kerr County replace what they lost.
Over the past month, the foundation has raised more than $100 million to aid flood-affected communities. To date, it has allocated $10.8 million to frontline organizations and awarded grants to 17 volunteer fire departments, including those in Center Point, Ingram, and Hunt. The new initiative will expand the foundation’s focus to include housing projects, aiming to ensure that relief reaches those most in need efficiently and equitably.
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The announcement comes in the wake of emotionally charged testimony before state lawmakers from parents who lost daughters in the Camp Mystic flood tragedy. Speaking publicly for the first time, they implored legislators to enact safety reforms to prevent future tragedies.
“Our precious, hilarious, kind, caring, silly, loving little girl who always wanted to help others died because there was no plan, because there was no backup system or sirens, because the sweet 18- and 19-year-old counselors did not have the training they needed,” said the mother of Hadley Hannah, one of the victims.
The foundation and the governor’s office say the new funding will target recovery in a way that is direct, timely, and responsive to community needs, building on lessons learned from the July floods and previous disaster relief efforts.
James Trolinter and Brenda Espinoza lost their home in the Fourth of July flooding.
“Within 10 minutes, we watched the whole house go underwater,” Trolinter said.
So they welcomed the work of Katy Culver, the co-owner of Kerrville Design and Build.
“And she went out and she got donations and worked with the foundation and that’s how we’re here today because she was knocking on doors to get things done,” Trolinter said.
Now Culver and other community leaders sit with Governor Greg Abbott and Austin Dickson, CEO of the Community Foundation.
“I see no reason whatsoever why all of the residents who lost a permanent residence in this region are not only going to be able to have that permanent residence fully rebuilt, but rebuilt at record speed,” Abbott said.
Dickson said they had already given out five million dollars after the first seven days of flooding and within three weeks granted 10.5 million. Today’s money will provide a more structured housing fund.
“Whether it’s a rebuilt house, a repaired RV or a safe, temporary apartment. This bond will help families get home,” Dickson said.
Governor Abbott noted what the state has spent and what it might still do.
“So the state has already spent well over $200 million and that is for the initial emergency response, initial recovery operations, things like that. the legislature is voting, maybe today, on adding another $200 million to assist with this process,” Gov. Abbott said.
The foundation looks next to tackle mental health issues.
