In 2015, the Flood Control District notified the cities of Southside Place and West University Place that funding had been identified for design and that the Flood Control District would actively pursue design and construction. In 2016, further study by the Flood Control District narrowed the design to one option based on the constructability of a replacement ditch within very tight right-of-way constraints. The Flood Control District initiated meetings with Southside Place and West University Place with the goal of entering into agreements that would allow for construction to begin.
In 2017, before plans were finalized by all parties, Hurricane Harvey brought devastating rains to many areas of Houston. As a result, funding for construction of Poor Farm Ditch was reassigned to more immediate repair needs.
In September 2018, Harris County Commissioners Court authorized an application to the Texas Division of Emergency Management for a grant in support of this project.
In October 2019, the Flood Control District notified the cities of Southside Place and West University Place of its decision to put the project on hold.
In August 2021, Harris County Commissioners Court approved the initiation of efforts to complete project design and construction stages. The substantially complete design is a technical solution that can be constructed within the extremely limited Poor Farm Ditch area. The project timeline will be contingent on funding support.
As of Summer 2023, funding for the Poor Farm Ditch project consists of a combination of local, state, and federal dollars, with the Flood Control District investing $5,700,000; the City of Southside Place investing $150,000; the City of West University Place investing $150,000; Representative Ann Johnson (HD-134), Senator John Whitmire (SD-15), and Senator Joan Huffman (SD-17) securing $16,900,000 in Texas Legislative Allocations; and Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher securing $9,886,000 in Federal Community Directed Funding.