Port Arthur city leaders worked nimbly in their constituents’ best interests in an off-schedule, special meeting of the Port Arthur City Council this week.

Mayor Derrick Freeman and four councilmembers quickly assembled and amended the Fiscal Year 2019 budget to allocate $127,000 to start operations of a “one-stop shop” where flood-affected Port Arthur residents can apply for federal housing aid.

That’s what many Port Arthur people have been awaiting for 14 months: help. Some 80 percent of this city was flooded by Hurricane and Tropical Storm Harvey in late August 2017. Many residents were driven from their homes and have struggled since to either return or restore their homes to their pre-flood conditions.

This unprecedented storm — 60 inches of rain fell on Greater Port Arthur — wreaked havoc on residents all along the Texas coastline. Response by the federal government has come by the spoonful, but Port Arthur’s leadership expects that will change soon.

Last week, a representative of the city’s planning department told the City Council in its regular meeting that the assistance process may accelerate on or around Dec. 1. Freeman said that from conversations the city has had with the Texas General Land Office, the agency designated to disburse federal housing assistance, he’s learned the process may kick in closer to Thanksgiving.

That’s what Tuesday’s special meeting was about — funding the start up of a “one-stop shop” where flood-affected, aid-eligible residents can visit, consult with knowledgeable city employees, staff or volunteers, select the most appropriate federal housing relief program and make application quickly and efficiently.

Here’s why that’s important: Some of the available funds — they are substantial — will be allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Pamela Langford of the planning staff told City Council members last week that there were at least three possible avenues residents could take for federal help, including one $4.1 million pool of cash intended for buyouts in specific neighborhoods and a larger pot of federal money, $205 million, designated for Jefferson, Hardin and Orange counties. Of those, Jefferson County in general, Port Arthur in specific, were hardest hit.

The city’s aim is to establish the aid center, formally the Disaster Recovery Housing Center, by mid-November at the 501 Building on Procter Street in an office area designated by the Port Arthur Economic Development Corp. Although applications for aid may not be accepted until Dec. 1, council leaders said, Port Arthur residents would be well served by having their prepared application forms completed and by standing at the front of the residential assistance line.

Harvey’s effects have been brutal on this city and its people. Assistance is needed and — finally — may be near. Council action should position city residents well for the aid they need.