Mayor Whitmire, City Council Approve Stormwater Funding to Remove Dangerous Abandoned Structures

January 7, 2026 -- On Wednesday, January 7, 2026, Mayor John Whitmire and Houston City Council voted 9-7 to allocate $30 million from the City's Stormwater Fund to demolish abandoned and dangerous buildings that threaten drainage infrastructure and increase flood risk across Houston.

The funding will be used exclusively for structures that pose a direct risk to the City's stormwater network. More than 2,000 properties are currently under review, with approximately 343 structures already approved for demolition through the required hearing process. Approved sites are located across most City Council districts.

"This is a public safety and flooding issue. People are pleading with us to demolish dangerous buildings," Mayor Whitmire said. "City Attorney Arturo Michel believes this is a legal use of the funds, and we intend to respond to the community and move forward."

In addition to demolitions, Stormwater Fund dollars will support debris removal, impervious surface reduction, site regrading, and related cleanup efforts to improve drainage, reduce runoff and erosion, and lower flood risk citywide.