Houston Council to Weigh $20.4M Code-Review Contract and Housing Actions

Houston City Council is scheduled to consider a proposed five-year contract worth up to $20.4 million for on-demand plan review and code-enforcement services, along with two affordable-housing actions, during its session beginning Tuesday, September 15, 2026.

The council’s official agenda lists a 2 p.m. public session on September 15, a 5 p.m. recess and a 9 a.m. reconvening on Wednesday, September 16. The items remain proposals until council members take action.

SafeBuilt contract would cover plan review and code enforcement

Agenda item 9 asks the council to approve spending authority of up to $20.4 million for on-demand plan review and code-enforcement services through the OMNIA Partners cooperative purchasing agreement. SafeBuilt Texas LLC is identified as the vendor, and the proposed term is five years.

The agenda identifies the Building Inspection Fund as the funding source. The $20.4 million figure is a maximum spending authority listed for the proposed arrangement, not a statement that the full amount would be spent immediately.

For residents, property owners and businesses, plan review and code enforcement are connected to the city’s review of construction and development work and to compliance with municipal requirements. The agenda does not establish that the arrangement would replace city employees, accelerate permit reviews or change enforcement outcomes. Specific implementation details and future service effects remain unresolved.

Housing agenda includes tax-credit applications and Canal Street rehabilitation

Agenda item 10 is a resolution confirming no objection to proposed affordable-rental-housing developments in Houston and supporting the submission of applications for noncompetitive 4% Housing Tax Credits. Supporting the applications would not guarantee tax-credit awards, construction, preservation or changes in occupancy.

Agenda item 11 is a proposed ordinance approving and authorizing a loan agreement between the city and Houston Area Community Development Corporation, joined by NHH-Canal Street Apartments Inc. The proposed $6 million loan of Community Development Block Grant funds would partially finance rehabilitation of New Hope Housing Canal, a 134-unit affordable rental community at 2821 Canal Street in Houston’s District H.

The agenda classifies the item under the Grant Fund and describes the money as a loan for rehabilitation, not a grant or completed renovation. Final loan terms, conditions and implementation details would depend on council action and subsequent steps.

What remains unresolved

Council members could approve, amend, delay or reject the proposed contract, resolution and loan ordinance. The agenda does not establish when any approved services or rehabilitation work would begin, how much of the $20.4 million authority would ultimately be used, or whether the housing-tax-credit applications would receive awards.

The city’s meeting-information page says residents may reserve time to speak by phone, email, online registration or in person through the City Secretary’s Office by 3 p.m. on the Monday before the scheduled public session. Speakers must provide contact information and a brief description of the subject they intend to address. The city says public-session speakers may receive one, two or three minutes under Council rules.

The official agenda is available through the city’s council agenda system, and the Office of the City Secretary maintains council proceedings and records. Residents and businesses following permitting, code enforcement or affordable housing should distinguish between items scheduled for consideration and final council authorization.

Sources

• City of Houston City Council Agenda — September 15, 2026
• Houston City Council Meetings Information