Watch our Tenants’ rights 2021 Texas Legislature wrap-up
The 87th Texas Legislature was conducted under the most unique and difficult time for tenants in recent memory. With thisContinue Reading
Category: State issues
Texas Housers evaluates how cities and counties disburse COVID rent relief in latest report
Update 7/13: At time of publishing, Texas Housers did not have complete figures from Houston and Harris County that fitContinue Reading
Nearing the Eviction Cliff: What We’re Observing in Harris County Courtrooms
Contributed by Erin Hahn and Ally Harris The CDC’s federal eviction moratorium, which was set to expire June 30, 2021,Continue Reading
Bedbugs, security deposits, and the vision to ensure Texas tenant protections
The unfortunate reality for tenants in Texas is that they are afforded very few protections. In fact, more bills haveContinue Reading
The Hillcrest neighborhood fought racist highway development to preserve its history. Now its residents are telling their story.
In Corpus Christi, the Hillcrest neighborhood has hosted generations of families who have built community and created history for moreContinue Reading
The Texas Rent Relief Program will not reach its target before eviction without these changes
The Texas Rent Relief program, which began rolling out in March has had nearly 72,000 applicants according to recent reporting.Continue Reading
Texas Supreme Court’s inaction could put thousands of renters at risk of eviction
Thousands of Texas tenants who can’t pay rent amid the COVID-19 crisis are at risk of eviction as the TexasContinue Reading
Read Texas Housers’ report on Sandpiper Cove’s failed storm evacuation in Galveston
In August 2020, the threat of Hurricane Laura was approaching a HUD-contracted Galveston property known as Sandpiper Cove. Having experiencedContinue Reading
Housers advocacy agenda focuses on basic protections for renters
Texas renters need rights. With a dwindling supply of affordable housing, add a global pandemic that has sparked a financialContinue Reading
Texas ranks at the bottom for affordable and available housing for Extremely Low Income renters. This is what Congress must do to help.
The National Low Income Housing Coalition publishes the Gap Report every March to assess the shortage of affordable and availableContinue Reading
Fear of Foreclosure: How homeowners of color are struggling with the financial fallout of COVID-19 in Houston
People of color have historically faced systemic obstacles in access to homeownership, yet so many have still persevered to secureContinue Reading
Houston’s grace period eviction ordinance was too late for too many. Here is how to fix that.
Since the start of the COVID-19 crisis in March 2020, Texas Housers has advocated for a grace period ordinance inContinue Reading
Texas renters have few eviction protections under COVID-19. Justices of the Peace are rarely enforcing them.
Written by Julia Orduña and Ally Harris There have been over 23,000 eviction cases opened against tenants in Harris CountyContinue Reading
Here’s how you can apply for help from the Texas Rent Relief Program
The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs has announced that they intend to make available $1.3 billion to eligibleContinue Reading
February 21 Update: Governor Abbott and the Texas Legislature continue to fail to act to help Texas freeze survivors
Less than 48 hours after Texas Housers posted a blog entry challenging Texas government officials to take 5 critical actionsContinue Reading
Governor Abbott and Texas Legislators: you got us in this mess, here is what you must do to fix it
A monumental failure of Texas state government is responsible for a statewide power outage causing devastation of our economy andContinue Reading
Texas Housers has created a simple checklist of principles for equitable rent relief
After nine months of working with cities and counties in Texas and observing partners across the country do the same,Continue Reading
The CDC Eviction Moratorium Needs Amendments, Not Just Extensions
Contributed by Julia Orduña and Ally Harris As we enter the new year, many Texans are coming to terms withContinue Reading
Texas Housers outlines goals to ensure 2021 is a year to advance housing justice
With the turn to a new year, people often look forward to the dawn of better days, great possibility andContinue Reading
Get Involved: Texas Housers uses CourtWatch to track improper COVID related evictions
Texas Housers staff and volunteers have been tracking the experiences of Texas tenants brought before Texas Justice of the PeaceContinue Reading
Texas COVID relief and eviction diversion programs could fall short if these major issues aren’t fixed
Texas’s first statewide COVID-19 rental assistance program will kick off this January after months of government planning and public callsContinue Reading
Texas struggles to streamline CARES funds as local governments scrape for resources
In May 2020, Gov. Greg Abbott and state leaders penned a letter to city and county officials about plans forContinue Reading
Watch Texas Housers’ December COVID Response Call on link between Housing & Health
As our nation looks to turn over the calendar to 2021, we also approach a dangerous deadline. The CDC’s moratoriumContinue Reading
Texas Housers and interfaith community groups call on state leaders for eviction moratorium
As our nation marches toward a new year, we also edge toward a cliff with mass evictions on a scaleContinue Reading
Introducing the Residents’ and Advocates’ Equitable Relocation Checklist
Contributed by Caleb Roberts, Sophie Dulberg, and Ericka Bowman When we talk about displacement, we often speak generally about theContinue Reading
In vote to weaken incentives, TDHCA hurts chances for affordable housing in desirable areas
Earlier this month, the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs voted to change the rules for where low-income housingContinue Reading
Texas Housers November COVID Response Call focused on delivering rent relief to the public
As we grow closer to the end of the year, with a possibly expiring eviction moratorium from the CDC, itContinue Reading
Podcast Episode 31: Housing Segregation, George Floyd, and Honoring True Housers
For Texas Housers’ latest podcast episode, John and I are experimenting with a new format. We’re discussing what we’re reading,Continue Reading
Podcast Episode 30: Who is this housing for and where does it go?
Every year, Texas receives millions of dollars in tax credits to help developers build affordable housing. It’s big money andContinue Reading
Texas Housers COVID Response Call and Keep Texans Housed website track where housing and the pandemic meet
Since news of the COVID-19 pandemic first broke in spring 2020, Texas Housers has made tracking the disease’s effects onContinue Reading