Reliant City – the largest refugee camp in American history – is becoming a city unto itself, with nearly 30,000 residents:
They are planning to set up typical neighborhood amenities such as a Welcome Center, Banking Center, Reliant Town Square Park, Reliant City Medical Center, a Transit Center with Metro Transit Authority and HISD school bus stops.
The Reliant Town Square will include a playground, sports field and laundry facilities. The Salvation Army will construct several refreshment centers east of Dome City.
4,000 Reliant City schoolchildren will enroll in school this week and begin classes on September 12th.
I am so freakin’ proud of my city and my fellow Houstonians. I wasn’t born in Texas, but I got here as fast as I could.
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Aziz – The people of Houston, and the government of Houston, have been acting the part of heroes. I have been amazed at their generosity of spirit. Would that my own hometown followed in their footsteps on this.
Aziz –
I’m from Houston (Alief) and am exceptionally proud what the city has done for the people victimized by Katrina.
Go Houston! Go Rockets!
I dont think I’m a hero – but collectively, our city can be, the sum of more than its parts. Its just the American spirit writ large across the state as well as writ small across our hearts. Texas isnt the only state and Houston isnt the only city helping our citizens in need, but we do things Texas size arouund here :)
Reliant City is a terrible, terrible idea. Using the Astordome and Reliant Center as a temporary shelter and a staging area while making more permanent plans for the evacuees is great. Setting up a semi-permanent Refugee camp a la Gaza or the West Bank is a non-starter.
Here is Arlington, Texas, the mayor is giving out housing vouchers for the 7000 unoccupied apartments in town. In my opinion, that is a much better solution. When people help themselves as much as possible, there is hope. When people are cared for like children, crime, anger and depression inevitably follow.
I am proud of Houston for stepping up to the plate as the nearest major city to help. It deserves acclaim. But please, please, please don’t turn shelters into refugee camps. Get these people out into individual housing as soon as possible.
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