On November 5, the Texas Low Income Housing Information Service will host our annual Texas Houser Awards. This year, our awards are honoring two remarkable individuals and one outstanding team that are committed to the cause of housing justice. These strong leaders and innovative advocates are working across the state to expand housing opportunity and civil rights. We are proud to recognize them as Texas Housers.
The awards luncheon is a time for individuals committed to the advancement of housing justice across Texas to convene. We invite you to join us in recognizing these honorees and celebrating the accomplishments of the community.
This year, we are excited to transition the Houser Awards from our traditional space at the Zilker Clubhouse to the Austin Central Library’s Special Events Center. Not only is the Central Library an amazing example of sustainable public resources, but it was recognized by Time magazine as one of the world’s greatest places to visit.
You can become a sponsor of this year’s Texas Houser Awards, or register to attend, on our event page.
Let’s meet the 2019 Housers:
Laura Beshara
Attorney at Daniel & Beshara, P.C.
Civil rights attorney Laura Beshara has committed her career to undoing the legacy of residential segregation and promoting inclusive, integrated communities through her fierce legal advocacy. She specializes in cases that seek to end exclusionary practices affecting minority residents in predominantly White neighborhoods, and to put an end to the unequal conditions that are systematically maintained in many minority communities.
Greg Casar
Austin City Council
Austin City Council member Greg Casar is currently serving his second term representing District 4. Since taking office, Casar has advocated for affordable housing, social equity, and shared prosperity. This year, he has worked in direct organizing with residents of a manufactured home park to help them avert eviction. In his time, he has sponsored and passed housing initiatives that have dedicated unprecedented amounts of Austin’s city budget to affordable housing creation. These initiatives have changed Austin’s city planning in the hope of fighting economic segregation.
Equitable Development Initiative
Lone Star Legal Aid
The Lone Star Legal Aid Equitable Development Initiative’s goal is to provide the legal assistance necessary to fight systemic discrimination and foster safe, decent, and equitable communities. Through their pro bono work, community outreach, and advocacy, the team has revitalized communities and fought inequities in low-income neighborhoods. The team has assisted a neighborhood hold both the State of Texas and the largest railroad system in the country accountable for decades of contamination and has helped residents of subsidized housing demand better living conditions from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
