Lessons learned from a rapid response to the ITC Disaster
Following the breaking news of the ITC disaster, SE Texas Co-Director Zoe Middleton joined a rapid response team of advocatesContinue Reading
Category: Local issues
Texas Housers Accepts NLIHC’s 2019 Resident Organizing Award For 12 Moms Initiative
On March 28, Texas Housers was given the honor of accepting the National Low Income Housing Coalition’s Resident Organizing AwardContinue Reading
If this small fix to the Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program pushed further, it could reshape affordable housing
Building affordable housing can be a long journey with approval needed from many groups and individuals along the way. Unfortunately,Continue Reading
Black and Latino residents live in more pollution than they cause. This is clearer in Houston more than anywhere else.
Early in March, a team of professors and researchers from universities nationwide published a study in Proceedings of the NationalContinue Reading
The Stunning Difference Between These Neighborhood Storm Drains Is Inequality At Work
The equality in government resources, specifically storm drainage in Houston, is a path toward justice and a major policy priorityContinue Reading
These bills strengthening Texas tenants’ rights and disaster recovery could reshape our future
Texans face a host of housing issues: an inadequate amount of quality affordable homes and the lingering effects of HurricaneContinue Reading
Our country and communities created neighborhood segregation. Houston, one of the most diverse cities in America, is no exception.
(Pictured, Texas Housers Southeast Texas co-director Zoe Middleton and Texas Housers community planner Libby Bland pose with author and scholarContinue Reading
Texas’ first Opportunity Zone, intended to spur investment and revitalization, is…a South Side San Antonio storage facility?
If you ask many people living in neighborhoods that have been overlooked for investment in recent years what they’d likeContinue Reading
San Antonio’s revised infill policy went into effect today, but some advocates doubt its effectiveness at providing affordable housing
The typical San Antonian might feel unmoved by the phrase “Center City Housing Infill Policy (CCHIP).” With the city providingContinue Reading
Master leases provide relief to voucher holders discriminated against in search for for decent housing
Only one in four people who qualify for rental assistance in this country receive it. It’s no wonder that gettingContinue Reading
After years of resident advocacy, Hidalgo County adopts higher standards for drainage and streetlight infrastructure for new model subdivisions
Colonia residents in Hidalgo County have experienced far too much flooding and darkness, the dangerous symptoms of poorly-planned subdivisions whereContinue Reading
Texas is offering $1 billion for cities to build resilience to prepare for the next storm. But the process could leave out communities that need it most.
(Photo: A lineman checks on a downed powerlines in Port Arthur) In the last blog on Port Arthur, we predictedContinue Reading
Job opportunity: Texas Housers hiring Southeast Texas co-director to lead team of researchers, planners and organizers
Texas Housers, Texas foremost housing policy research and advocacy organization, seeks a leader dedicated to racial and economic justice, possessingContinue Reading
The 8 things I’ve learned in my 40+ years in housing and community development
I’m often asked to summarize what I have learned in my 40+ years of activism in the field of housingContinue Reading
New report details how Houston floodplain ordinance can worsen inequality in face of future floods
On April 3, 2018, the Houston City Council voted to make Chapter 19, the city’s Floodplain Management Ordinance, more stringent.Continue Reading
Texas Housers staff learns from Arbor Court moms advocating for better living conditions
(Photo from ABC-13 in Houston of Arbor Court flooded during Hurricane Harvey) The expertise of each member of the TexasContinue Reading
Disaster relief rolls out in the Rio Grande Valley; residents hope for just and fair process
(Home in Indian Hills colonia that experienced flooding after the June storms. Photo taken a week after the storms hit.)Continue Reading
Tenants at Houston’s flooded, distressed Arbor Court Apartments sue HUD for intentional racial discrimination
(Photo above is of red tag, labeling Arbor Courts as a fire hazard) HUD Secretary Ben Carson declared that conditionsContinue Reading
Notes from the field: Houston mom says her home is making her sons sick. She and many others are demanding better.
“A decent, safe place to come home to, where I can give my kids a good life.” Ask any ofContinue Reading
Surprise rain brings expected flooding to Hidalgo County. It’s time drainage and county officials commit to solutions.
(Photo shows flooded yard in La Mesa colonia) Many Rio Grande Valley residents woke up with floodwater filling their homesContinue Reading
A group of Lubbock neighborhood associations asks the City to make an equitable comprehensive plan – will Lubbock listen?
For many American cities, the biggest obstacle for creating an equitable comprehensive plan for the future is overcoming systemically racistContinue Reading
Texas Housers submits comments to City of Houston on proposed Hurricane Harvey action plan
Texas Housers submitted comments to the City of Houston last week about the city’s proposed plan for spending $1.15 billionContinue Reading
Lubbock student tells residents that Juneteenth is a call to remember the past and work toward unity
(Photo courtesy of East Lubbock Community Alliance Facebook page) Last week, Texas Housers had the distinct pleasure of hearing fromContinue Reading
Texas Housers project shines a light on concerns of Lubbock residents and provides context for community planning
Whether they’re black, Hispanic or white; whether they live on the east, north or southwest sides of town; or whetherContinue Reading
Texas Housers and advocacy partners receive support in lawsuit against HUD over failure to enforce fair housing law
Numerous cities and states, including the City of Austin, as well as housing and anti-poverty advocates, filed amicus briefs thisContinue Reading
EPA unveils plan to address decades of poison and toxic fish in Donna Lake; public input accepted through June 5
This article originally ran on Neta, a bilingual multimedia platform based in the Rio Grande Valley where I am a staff content creator,Continue Reading
Port Arthur residents told to wait for disaster recovery for too long, but hold out hope their government come through
As the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Harvey approaches, there are unanswered questions from residents and a rising level of concernContinue Reading
An equitable Houston demands continuous engagement in the wake of Harvey
Hurricane Harvey “pulled back the curtain” on inequality in Houston, revealing some “scary truths about the city we are livingContinue Reading
Who has the right to live here? Austin’s fifty year fight over fair housing
The right to fair housing stands out among civil rights laws as the one that has historically received the mostContinue Reading
Sweeping new fair and affordable housing proposed by three Austin City Council members
Austin City Council members Garza, Renteria, and Casar have announced a sweeping progressive fair and affordable housing agenda. Here isContinue Reading