Harris County, TX

Harris County, TX approves AI platform to speed permit and plat reviews

Harris County Commissioners Court approved a contract with Australia-based Archistar to use AI to pre-check plat applications and run technical code-compliance reviews for new construction. The program aims to cut permit processing time by 50% and includes a chatbot for applicants, while county staff keep final review and approval. Commissioners earmarked over $750,000 for it in the FY2027 budget.

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Harris County, TX

United States

Harris County, TX EarlyREACH pilot addresses pandemic-related childcare closures with free care

Harris County, United Way of Greater Houston, and BakerRipley recruit area providers for a pilot lasting up to four years. EarlyREACH offers up to 1,000 childcare spaces for kids up to four years old thanks to $26 million in ARPA funds. Participating providers are paid upfront based on available spaces and offer above-market wages to their educators. The pilot focuses on areas of Harris County considered childcare deserts exacerbated by COVID-19 closures.

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Harris County, TX

United States

Harris County, TX ACCESS2Health kiosks diagnose health problems among socially vulnerable residents

Harris County, Amerigroup, and the American Heart Association installed six kiosks in public locations across Precinct 2. Residents use the kiosks for measuring weight, blood pressure, pulse rate, and other vital signs. ACCESS2Health kiosks provide bilingual recommendations for improved health and indicate when hospital visits may be necessary. The kiosks generate data for targeted public health interventions and provide no-cost services to low-income households.

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Harris County, TX

United States

Harris County, TX Employ2Empower works with homeless residents on paths to permanent housing

Employ2Empower connects homeless residents to services from Career and Recovery Resources, Inc. and jobs with an hourly rate of $15. Participants receive mentoring from sheriff's deputies while completing tasks like graffiti removal and building repairs. The program identifies the necessary resources for adult education, long-term employment, and stable housing. A six-month pilot of Employ2Empower in Precinct 2 expanded to the entire county with $2.1 million in federal ARPA funding.

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Harris County, TX

United States

Harris County, TX opened its first all-inclusive 29-acre greenspace and playground

Harris County opened its first all-inclusive greenspace and playground that accommodates children and adults with disabilities. The county spent a year and $7.6 million building the 29-acre playground which levels the playing field for anyone with visual impairments or mobility issues. The park also includes a sensory garden with an extra-wide ramp for wheelchairs and a serpentine path designed for older adults or anyone in physical rehabilitation.

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Harris County, TX

United States

Harris County, TX partners with Motorola to deploy Citizens Broadband Radio Service

Harris County is partnering with Motorola to deploy Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) private broadband technology to help close the digital divide in disadvantaged communities. The CBRS transmits a signal to homes using a band of radio frequency spectrum made available by the Federal Communications Commission. The county is deploying the CBRS across 31 sites to bring internet connectivity to approximately 6,000 homes.

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Harris County, TX

United States

Harris County, TX entered into a partnership with Project LifeSaver

Project LifeSaver developed a personal locator bracelet so people with cognitive diseases could be found by emergency personnel. The Harris County Sheriff's Office is training deputies on the technology and estimates the project could protect 300 county residents with dementia.

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Harris County, TX

United States