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HoustonandHarrisCountyHousingConversationEventReportFebruary20,2017
Preparedby:HoustonLISC&RiceUniversity’sKinderInstituteforUrbanResearch
HoustonandHarrisCountyHousingConversation:EventReport 1
LocalSteeringCommitteePaulCharlesExecutiveDirectorNeighborhoodRecoveryCDCToryGunsolleyCEOHoustonHousingAuthorityAllisonHayExecutiveDirectorHoustonHabitatforHumanityElizabethLoveProgramOfficerHoustonEndowmentTomMcCaslandDirectorHousingandCommunityDevelopmentCityofHoustonRayMillerCapitalOfficerCapitalOneBankMaryLawlerExecutiveDirectorAvenueCDC
WandaLeBlancPublicHousingPolicyAdvisorOfficeofHarrisCountyJudgeEdEmmettDaphneLemelleCommunityDevelopmentDirectorHarrisCountyCommunityServicesDepartmentAssataRichardsExecutiveDirectorSankofaResearchInstituteAmandaTimmExecutiveDirectorLocalInitativesSupportCorporationHoustonKathrynTurnerLoanOfficerCorporationforSupportiveHousingKyleSheltonDirectorofStrategicPartnershipsKinderInstituteforUrbanResearchRiceUniversity
HoustonandHarrisCountyHousingConversation:EventReport 2
EventSponsorsWethankthesponsorsoftheevent.Thefollowingpolicysuggestionscomedirectlyfromparticipantsintheconversation.
HoustonandHarrisCountyHousingConversation:EventReport 3
ParticipatingExpertsLouBernardySeniorVicePresidentandDirectorofDevelopment,TexasMcCormackBaronSalazarAmandaEdwardsAt‐largeCityCouncilMemberHoustonCityCouncilToryGunsolleyCEOHoustonHousingAuthorityRickJacobusPrincipalStreetLevelAdvisorsDaphneLemelleCommunityDevelopmentDirectorHarrisCountyCommunityServicesDepartment
AndreaneciaM.MorrisExecutiveDirectorHousingNOLAElizabethMuellerAssociateProfessorofCommunityandRegionalPlanningUniversityofTexasatAustinChuckPerryManagingPartnerPerryRoseLLCSusanJ.PopkinSeniorFellowUrbanInstituteHeatherK.WayClinicalProfessorUniversityofTexasSchoolofLaw
HoustonandHarrisCountyHousingConversation:EventReport 4
IntroductionTheKinderInstituteforUrbanResearchatRiceUniversity,theLocalInitiativesSupportCorporation(LISC),andCSHarepleasedtopresentthisreportsynthesizingmajorthemesfromtheHoustonandHarrisCountyHousingConversation.Theconveningwasmadepossiblebythecoordinatedeffortsoftheco‐sponsoringorganizations,withsupportfromtheHoustonEndowmentandJPMorganChaseCo.Wealsowanttothankthemembersoftheeventsteeringcommittee,aswellastheexpertcommentatorsfromHoustonandbeyond.Finally,wewanttothankthemorethan200publicstakeholderswhoattendedtheevent.Formoreinformationabouttheeventitself,includingtheopeningdatapresentation,agenda,andkeytermglossary,pleasevisitkinder.rice.edu/houstonhousing.Weapplaudtheentiregroup’sefforttoengagethecomplicatedsubjectofhousinginconcreteways.Theworkofaddressinghousingneedsacrosstheentireregionrequiresacollaborativeeffortbetweengovernment,theprivatesector,serviceproviders,advocates,andresidents.Eachofthesegroupshaveimportantanduniquerolesincreatingandmanaginganeffectivesystem.Thisincludeslaudingpastwork,acknowledgingtheshortcomingsofthecurrentsituation,andjointlypursuingtheimplementationofahousingapproachthatworksforall.ThehousingconversationwasfacilitatedbyCSHandfollowedtheirfishbowlcharrettemodel.Thisapproachbringsinnationalexpertsandsurroundsthemwithlocalstakeholdersandcommunitymembers.Theprocessencouragesequalparticipationamongthesegroupswitheverystakeholderhavingaspacetovoiceopinions,thoughts,andconcerns.Theconversationwasnotintendedtoreachconsensus.Rather,itwasanattempttoidentifymajorissuesaroundhousing,tobringforwardproductiveideasforaddressingthem,andtohighlighttopicsthatstakeholdersmustgrapplewithfurther.Inthisway,itrepresentsanimportantefforttocreatesharedknowledgearoundhousingissuesinHoustonandHarrisCounty.Thepiecespulledfromtheconversationandtiedtogetherinthisreportpinpointplacesofenergyandcontentionwithinthisongoingconversation.Theyrepresenttouchstonesdrawnfromawiderangeofperspectivesthatcanbeusedtoinformfutureplansandprocesses.TheefforttoadequatelyhouseallresidentsofHoustonandHarrisCountyinsafeandaffordablehousingisanurgentregionalmatter.Everyone,regardlessofincome,wantshousingthatisaffordabletothem.Addressinghousingneedsforpeoplewithlowerincomes,however,remainschallenging.Hundredsofthousandsofresidentsliveeitherinhomesthataresubstandardorwheremortgageandrentalcostsconsumetoomuchoftheiroverallhouseholdincome.Heavyhousingcostsleavefamiliesfinanciallystretchedandvulnerabletoaslewofotherproblems.
HoustonandHarrisCountyHousingConversation:EventReport 5
KeyData
‐ Acrossallincomes,305,905householdsinHarrisCountyfaceseverehousingproblems(lackingkitchenorbathfacilities,overcrowding,orhighcosts).1
‐ 214,665householdsinHarrisCountymakelessthan80%ofthemedianincomeandspendmorethan50%oftheirtotalincomeonhousing.2
‐ TheHouston‐Woodlands‐SugarLandMetropolitanareaprovidesonly18affordableunitsforevery100householdsthatareextremelylowincome(belowthepovertyorlessthan30%ofmedianincome.)ThethirdworstratioofallU.S.metroareas.3
ResidentsineverymunicipalityfromHoustontoHumbleareseekingbetter,moreaffordablehousingoptions.Whilesomepopulationgroups—especiallynon‐whiteresidents,low‐incomehouseholds,andimmigrants—confrontapreponderanceoftheproblemsstemmingfrominadequatehousing,theissueextendsbeyondthosegroups.Insufficient,unaffordablehousingcrossesracialandethniclinesandtouchesfamiliesfrommanyincomelevels.Itisnotanurbanorsuburbanissue,butaregionalone.Housingisakeystonesystem,connectedtomanyotherelementsofanindividual’sdailylife—fromeducationtotransportationtohealthcare.Becauseofitspervasiveness,attemptstoaddressthecounty’shousingneedsoffertheopportunitytoimprovethelivesofresidentsandimprovetheefficacyofgovernmentsthroughoutHoustonandHarrisCounty.Thefishbowlconversationillustratedthatwhileanumberoforganizationsandindividualshaveworkedtirelesslytoaddressthehousingneedsoftheregion,muchworkremains.Theenergyintheconversationshowedthatthisisacriticaltimefortheregiontograpplewithhousing.Findingwaystobringcitizenengagementintoconcertwiththeactionsofthepublicandprivatesectorisessentialiftheregionistoreachsolutions.Noonegroupcansolvethisissuealone.Withthescaleandscopeoftheproblemandtheimportanceofthesolutioninmind,thegoalsofthisreportarethreefold.First,itsaimstoreflectkeypiecesoftheconversationaroundhousinginHoustonandHarrisCountythatemergedduringtheevent.Thisdescriptionhelpsestablishsharedknowledgeoftheissuesandopportunitiesconnectedtohousing.Italsoprovidesarichdocumenttowhichmanystakeholderscontributed.Becauseofthisitstandsasaguidepostthatallstakeholderscanreturntoinordertoinformfutureefforts.Second,itprovidesofficialsandagenciesinHouston,HarrisCounty,andothercountymunicipalitieswithatoolboxofideasabouthowtheymightapproachtheissueofhousinginamoreproductive,cooperative,andpubliclyengagedmanner.Withnumerousarea1UnitedStatesCensusBureau,ComprehensiveHousingAffordabilityStrategy2009‐2013,HarrisCounty.2Ibid.3NationalLowIncomeHousingCoalition,“TheGap:AShortageofAffordableHomes,”March2017.
HoustonandHarrisCountyHousingConversation:EventReport 6
jurisdictionsconsideringstrategichousingplansandundertakinginitiativestiedtohousing,thesuggestionscontainedhereprovidepotentialactionstepsandidentifyissuesthatmayneedadditionalattentioninfutureplans.Third,thereportidentifieswaystoencouragesolutions‐orientedcommunityengagementthatistiedtotheexperiencesandneedsofresidents.Itoffersresidents,housingadvocates,andserviceproviderswithanopportunitytogiveinputintothehousingconversationonanequalfootingwithelectedofficialsandpolicymakers.Italsotaskscitizenswithremainingproductivelyengagedintheconversationandworkingwiththepublicandprivatesectorstohelpcreateahousingsystemthatworksforall.Throughoutthisreport,thetermhousingsystemisusedasacatchalltodescribetheoverarchingcollectionofactorsandstructuresinvolvedinthefunding,building,managing,anduseofalltypesofhousinginHoustonandHarrisCounty.Thistermisusedprimarilyinareaswhereideasrequiretheengagementofallstakeholders.Specificactorswillbetaggedinthereportwhereappropriate.HighlightingInterconnectedThemesGiventhebreadthoftheissuessurroundingthetopicofhousing,theeventitselfwasorganizedintothreebroaddiscussiontopics:
1. HousingforPeople2. HousingforPlaceandCommunity3. HoustonandHarrisCountyHousingPriorities
Thesetopicsallowedforawide‐rangingconversation.Theinsightsandcommentaryofferedideasforhowgovernment,developers,advocates,serviceproviders,andresidentscouldworktogetherandseparatelytoadvanceeffortstoprovidesafeandaffordablehousingacrossthehousingcontinuum.Ratherthananalyzethekeypointsofeachofthesediscussionsindividually,thisreportdrawsoutthemajorthemesthatemergedinandacrossthediscussions.Thethemesarebasedontheinputofthepanelistsandcommunitystakeholderswhoparticipatedinthedaylonghousingconversation.Thesevencross‐cuttingthemesidentifiedinclude:
1. SharedUnderstanding2. SharedVision/GoalSetting3. ToolsandPolicies4. PublicAccountabilityaroundHousing5. AuthenticCommunityEngagement6. PoliticalWillandLeadership7. InterwovenIssues
HoustonandHarrisCountyHousingConversation:EventReport 7
Eachsectionwillbeginwithabriefintroductionofthetheme.Thiswillbefollowedbyalistofkeyobservationsdrawnfromtheconversation.Somepointsnoteareasofcontentiondrawnoutduringtheeventthatwillrequireadditionalattentionanddiscussion.Othersstandasconcretepolicystepspulledfromtheexperiencesofexpertsandmembersofthepublic.Bothtypesofobservationsshouldinformthesubsequenteffortsundertakenbyofficials,residents,publicandprivatesectorhousingproviders,andadvocates.SharedUnderstandingStakeholdersintheconversationreachedaconsensusthatagreatneedexistsforsharedunderstandingofissuesaroundhowthehousingsystemoperatesandhowresidentsnavigateit.Thismutualunderstandingshouldincludebasicdefinitionsoftermsandprograms,allowforthecreationanddisplayofaccessiblehousingdata,offerin‐depthacknowledgementofwhataffordablehousingmeans,andhelpdispelcommonmisconceptionsabouttheplaceofsubsidizedaffordablehousingandthosewhouseit.Inordertobeeffective,thisknowledgesharingmustworktoovercomelanguagebarriersandthechallengesinherenttogettingpeopleofdifferentraces,incomelevels,andeducationallevelsinvolvedinthesamedialogue.Forexample,thehousingconversationsurfacedtensionbetweenhomeownershipandrentalhousing,aswellasbiasesandmisperceptionsaboutownersandrenters.Educationaroundsuchissuesoffersanopportunitytoeasetensionandhighlightthecomplexityofthehousingsystem.Attemptingtocreatethistypeofmutualknowledgealsoopensthedoorforallstakeholderstograpplewiththewayspastpublicactionshaveshapedcurrentcircumstances.Historicalunderinvestmentinlow‐incomecommunities,whetherinhousingorbasicinfrastructure,createsconsequencesfortheresidentsofthosecommunitiesthataredifferentfromthosefacedbycitizensinbetterservedcommunities.Historicallyrootedandongoingissuesaroundrace,segregation,andunequalaccesstoopportunityfornon‐whiteresidentslikewisemustinformthisdiscussion.Acknowledgingthesedifferencesiskeytoensuringthatallinvolvedinthehousingconversationseehowimprovementsacrossthehousingcontinuumcouldbenefitthewholeregion.Outlinedbelowarekeyideasandstrategiesdrawnfromstakeholdersintheconversationabouthowtodevelopsharedunderstandingaboutthehousingsystem:
1. Establishsharedtermsandknowledgeofthehousingsystem.Thepublicdocumentsandengagementprocessesofpublicagenciesandhousingprovidersshouldincludelessjargon,cleardefinitionsofkeyterms,anddirectinformationaboutaccessingexistingprogramsinmultiplelanguages.Peopleneedtoknowwhatexistswithinthesystemandwhattheyqualifytouse.
2. Providepubliclyaccessibledata.Publicagenciesshouldcontinuetocollectdataabouthousingneedsandexistingsupplyandworktoimproveitsaccessibility.Thisdatashouldcutacrosstheregionandtouchonthefullhousingspectrum.
HoustonandHarrisCountyHousingConversation:EventReport 8
a. Acoordinateddataapproachshouldbedevelopedbetweenpublicagencies,universities,serviceproviders,advocates,residents,andprivatedevelopers.
b. Publicentitiesshouldconsiderpresentingdatainvisualwaystohighlightthespatialaspectofthisissue.SeetheexampleofPolicyLink’sNationalEquityAtlasortheeffortsundertakenbycitieslikeDenverandPortland.
3. Dispelmisconceptionsaboutpubliclysubsidizedhousingandclients.Advocatesandserviceprovidersshouldworkwithresidentsandelectedofficialstoshowthebreadthofsubsidizedhousingclients,typesofunits,andrangeofpublicsubsidy.FHAloans(subsidizedmortgagesforhomeowners)andHousingChoiceVouchers(subsidizedrentfortenants)arebothformsofpublicsectorhousingsupport,butareviewedverydifferently.Thiseffortcouldhelpreduceoppositiontonewprojectsifdoneproactively.
a. Createacountywideeducationcampaigntosupporthousingaffordableforall.Increasesharedunderstandingthathousingisforeveryone.Peopleofdifferentincomelevelsneeddifferentsolutions,buteveryoneneedsaplacetolive.
4. Createinformationabouthousingneedsbygeography.Documentingthe
affordablehousingsupplyanddemandbyproximitytoemploymentcenters,servicesorpoliticaljurisdiction,similartotheapproachtakenbyHousingWorksAustinforeachcitycouncildistrict,canshowhowneedexistsacrossthecityandcounty.
5. Continuepublicconversationsonhousingandinterconnectedsubjects.ThefishbowleventdidnotstarttheconversationabouthousinginHarrisCountyanditshouldnotbeseenasaculmination.Ratheritshouldencouragecontinuedconversationsthatgrapplewithtopicsthefirstfishbowlwasunabletocoversuchashealth,safetyoreducation.
6. Allparticipantsinthehousingsystemmustacknowledgethatexistingpubliclysubsidizedhousingdoesnotmatchtheneed.TosupportinnovativeandtransformativeeffortstocreatemorehousingoptionsinHoustonandHarrisCountyresidentsandofficialsmustrecognizetheurgencyofthehousingproblemandthelimitationsofthecurrentsupply.
7. Allparticipantsinthehousingsystemmustrecognizehousingasanequityandjusticeissue.Residentsofdifferentracialgroups,incomelevels,andphysicalabilitiesfaceuniquechallengesintheireffortstoaccesssafeandaffordablehousing.Creatingasystemthatworksforallrequiresrecognizingthewaysthathistoricandcurrentpoliciesandsocialpracticeslimittheoptionsofnon‐white,poor,andimmigrantgroups.Publicengagementeffortsandhousingpolicydocumentsshouldmarkthisrealityandacttorectifydisparateimpacts.
8. Allparticipantsinthehousingconversationmustacknowledgethatdifferentresidentsseehousingandcommunityindifferentways.Thefishbowldiscussion
HoustonandHarrisCountyHousingConversation:EventReport 9
madeitclearthatthereisnosingleideaofwhatahomeorcommunityshouldlooklike.Creatingaspacewherevariousconceptionsofhomeandcommunitycanbeheard,especiallyfromresidentswiththeleastpoliticalinfluence,canensuretheformulationofplansthatincludemanypeople’sexperiences.
SharedVisionEffectivelytacklingthecounty’shousingchallengesrequiresacollectivevisionofaction.Actorsinvolvedwithhousingmustdiscussandagreeuponasetofboldgoalsthatmatchtheurgencyofthecounty’shousingneedsandthatresultinprogramswithmeasurableoutcomes.Thecraftingofthisvisionshouldincludeparticipationfromstakeholdersacrossthehousingsystem.Housingplansandtheprocessofdevelopingthemprovideanessentialspacewithinwhichtocreatesuchasharedvision.Asetofgoalsshouldbedevelopedintheearlystagesofanyplanandshouldstemfromsharedunderstanding.Thevisionshouldinformthetoolsandpoliciespursuedbystakeholdersandshouldestablishbenchmarksforevaluatingthoseprograms.Outlinedbelowarekeyideasandstrategiesdrawnfromstakeholdersintheconversationaboutwhatasharedvisionforachievingregionalhousinggoalsshouldinclude:
1. Establishclear,boldgoals.Theurgencyofthehousingsituationisclear.HoustonandHarrisCountyshouldmatchthaturgencywithasetofgoalsthatcansignificantlyaddresstheneed.
2. Recognizethathousingeffortsbenefitall.Thesuccessorfailureofahousingeffortisnotisolated.Itisnotjustresidentswhobenefitfromaneffectivesystemofaffordable,safehousing.Theadequateprovisionofhousingwouldbenefitthewholecounty.Ifthecostofprovidingsupportservicestoresidentsisreduced,jurisdictionscanprovideotherservicesmoreefficiently.Businessesandemployerscanbenefitfromhavingemployeesclosertoworkandwithmoremoneytospend.Propertyowners,renters,andhomeownersallbenefitfromstrongercommunities.
3. Acknowledgeequityasaprimaryaimofallhousingefforts.HoustonandHarrisCountycelebratesthediversityofourpeople,buttoorarelydoweacknowledgethatwithinthatdiversitynotallresidentsarepresentedwithequalopportunities.Equityshouldbeofparamountimportance.Housingpoliciesandgoalsshouldaimtocreateupwardmobilityacrossallgroups.
a. Thesamecaveatappliestoresidentsindifferenthousingsituations.Rentersandhomeownersshouldbetreatedasequalsandtheirneedsshouldbeaddressedwithequalcommitment.
4. Worktosecureinvestmentforcommunitiesacrossavarietyofsectorsand
needs,notjusthousing.
HoustonandHarrisCountyHousingConversation:EventReport 10
5. Developstrategiesthatrecognizedifferenthousingneedsbygeography,population,income,andotherfactors.Customized,neighborhood‐levelapproachesshouldbecreatedinconjunctionwithcommunityinput.
Tools&PoliciesThroughoutthehousingconversation,stakeholdershighlightedtoolsandpoliciesthatalignwiththecommunityengagementandaccountabilityideasdiscussedbelowandthatcouldhelpadvancehousingpolicyinHoustonandHarrisCounty.However,itwasalsonotedthatthereisnosilverbullet.Stakeholdersrecognizedthatanarrayoftoolsmustbeusedtoeffectivelyaddressthemanyissuesweface.Itislikewisecriticalthatanytoolsandpoliciespursuedmeshwiththesharedvisionandhousinggoalsdevelopedbystakeholdersintheregion.Theexpertsinvolvedintheconversationmadeitclearthatcentraltotheimplementationofeffectivetoolsandpoliciesisanattachedefforttoidentifytheresourceslocalgovernmentscontrolorcanraisethatcanbededicatedtohousing.Theyalsosuggestedthatduplicationofeffortsshouldbeavoided.Finally,allparticipantsintheconversationsuggestedthatlocalleadersdrawlessonsfromothercitiesabouthowtoeffectivelydeploynewpolicies.EffortssuchasHouston’scurrentendeavortodevelopahousingplanarecritical.Comprehensiveplanningensuresthathousingtoolsandpoliciesareinplacefromthebeginningandthatallstakeholdershaveauniformandclearunderstandingabouthowandwhencertaintoolsandpolicieswillbeused.Inaddition,betterandmoretransparentdataiscriticaltoensuringtherightpoliciesarebeingimplemented.Outlinedbelowarekeyideasandstrategiesdrawnfromstakeholdersintheconversationaboutwhattoolsandpoliciesmaycontributetoachievingtheregion’ssharedvisionaroundhousing:
1. Developabalanced,multi‐prongedapproachtobringinghousingtobothhighopportunityareasandunderservedcommunities.
a. EncouragemorepartnershipsbetweenHoustonandHarrisCounty,includingajointfairhousingassessment.
2. Expandcurrentlocalfundingstreamsforaffordablehousing.a. Houstoncouldexpandamountsdedicatedtoaffordablehousinginfuture
generalobligationbondreferendums.b. HoustoncouldextendthepolicyfordedicatingaportionofTIRZfinancing
foraffordablehousingfrompetition‐TIRZ’stoallTIRZ’s.Thecitycouldthendedicatethosefundstoanaffordablehousingtrustfundsubjecttoanannualplanningprocesswithpublicinputandoversight.
c. Expandfundinginthecityandcountybudgetsforaffordablehousingtobringfundingforhousingonparwithotherpublicinfrastructureprogramssuchasparksandlibraries.
HoustonandHarrisCountyHousingConversation:EventReport 11
d. Expanddown‐paymentassistanceandrehabassistanceprogramsinthecityandcounty.
e. Manyhomeownersarefacingdisplacementbecausetheirpropertytaxeshavebecometoohigh.Investigatethepossibilityoftaxabatementstohelpmitigatedisplacementconcernsoflong‐term,low‐orfixed‐incomeresidents.
3. Adoptnewandinnovativefundingstreamsandfinancingtools.Publicfundingwillneverbeenoughtoaddressthehousingneedsorourregionandisatriskofdecreasingdramatically.Thus,stakeholdersshouldengagecorporatepartnersandphilanthropytoinvest.
a. Public‐privatepartnershipssuchastheinvestmentsmadeunderMayorDaleytosupportthePlanforTransformationfortherevitalizationofCabriniGreenandotherpublichousinginChicagoofferoneinnovativeexample.
b. Ensurethatsomeinvestmentsflowthroughthecommunitybysupportingtheworkofcommunitydevelopmentcorporationsandothernon‐profits.
c. Createataxabatementprogramtoincentivizeprivatedevelopmenttoincludeaffordablehousing.See,forexample,thetaxabatementprogramsinChicagoandNewYorkCity.
d. ConsidercreatingaHousingTrustFundsimilartoAustin,whichplacesaportionofallpubliclandsalesintothetrust.
e. ResearchTransitOrientedDevelopment(TOD)approachessuchasDenver’s,wherea$24millionfundwithmultiplefundingstreamsallowsthecityandsurroundingcountiestorapidlyrespondtoopportunitiestoacquireandlandbankexistingmultifamilyhousinginhighopportunityandgentrifyingneighborhoods
4. Leveragepubliclandassetsthatthecityandcountycontrol.Conductan
inventoryofunderutilizedorsurpluspublicly‐ownedlandandidentifyopportunitiesforutilizingthelandforaffordableormixed‐incomehousing.
5. Adopttoolstopreserveaffordablehousingandprotectagainstdisplacementinareaswithrisingpropertyvaluesandredevelopmentpressures.
a. Anumberofresidentstakeholdersraisedtheissueofdisplacementandexpressedadesiretohavetheoptiontoremainintheircurrentcommunities.
b. HoustonandHarrisCountycansupporttheestablishmentofneighborhoodcommunitylandtrusts(CLT).StakeholdersintheThirdWardaswellasNearNorthsidearealreadyconsideringthis.GuadalupeNeighborhoodDevelopmentCorporation’sCLTinAustinisasuccessfulcasestudy.
c. HoustonandHarrisCountycouldputlong‐termresalerestrictions(viacommunitylandtrustsordeedrestrictions)inplaceinallhousingreceivinggovernmentsubsidies.
d. LocalofficialscouldasktheTexasLegislaturetoextendHomesteadPreservationDistrictstoHoustonandcreatedistrictsinlow‐incomeneighborhoodsofHoustonfacingredevelopmentanddisplacementpressures.
HoustonandHarrisCountyHousingConversation:EventReport 12
6. BroadenopportunitiesfortenantswithHousingChoiceVouchers(arentalsupportprogram)andvouchersthroughotherprogramstoliveinhigheropportunityanddesegregatedcommunities.Thisisacontentiousissuethatwasbroughtuprepeatedlyintheconversation.Thereareanumberofwaystoaddresspiecesofit,butavarietyofideasexistaroundhowbesttodoso.
a. LocalgovernmentscansupporteffortstomakeitillegalforlandlordstodiscriminateagainstHousingChoiceVoucherholders.
b. Houstoncouldpassanordinancerequiringanyprojectthatreceivespublicfundsinanyformtonotdiscriminatebasedonsourceofincome.
c. LocalgovernmentscouldprovidefundingforatenantmobilityprogramsimilartotheInclusiveCommunitiesprogramintheDallas‐FortWorthmetroplex.Citiesandcountycanfacilitatepartnershipswithprivatelandlordstoaccepttenantswithrentalassistanceandprovideotherservicestotenants.
d. HoustonandHarrisCountycouldworkwiththeU.S.HousingandUrbanDevelopmentDepartment(HUD)andhousingauthoritiesintheregiontoofferhigherfairmarketrentsinhigheropportunityneighborhoodsforHousingChoiceVoucherholders.
e. AllagenciescouldexpandfairhousingtestingandenforcementofsourceofincomediscriminationprotectionsinfederalLowIncomeHousingTaxCredit(LIHTC)4properties.
f. RequirelandlordsinanyhousingdevelopmentsreceivingcityorcountysubsidytoacceptapercentageoftenantswithHousingChoiceVouchervouchers.
7. ExploretheEstablishmentofa9%LIHTCset‐asideforHouston.Thiswould
helptoimprovestabilityandgreatercertaintyfordevelopersandfocusedleverageforcityfinancing,thusprovidingadditionalflexibilityforcommunityengagementopportunities.
a. LosAngelessuccessfullypursuedthisoption.b. Thisispotentiallycontentiousgiventheimportanceofthefundingandthe
competitivenessoftheprogramtotheentireregion.
8. Establishanewdevelopmentinitiativethatencouragesinclusionaryhousingandmixed‐incomeprinciplesinmarket‐ratedevelopments.TheinitiativecouldbesimilartotheDowntownLivingInitiative,butshouldincludeaffordablehousingset‐asidesandadiversityofhousingoptionsfordifferentincomebrackets.Theprogramshouldconsiderarangeofland‐useincentives,suchasrelaxedparkingrequirements,increaseddensityandotherlanduseincentives.
9. Increasesupportofcommunitydevelopmentcorporations(CDCs).Beyond
directfinancialsupport,localgovernmentandphilanthropycansupportprograms,traininganddevelopmentopportunitiesthathelpcapacitybuildingeffortsoflocal
4LowIncomeHousingTaxCreditsareoneofthelargestfundingstreamsforaffordablehousingintheUnitedStates.Thecreditsaregiventodevelopersandthensoldtohelpfinanceaffordablehousingprojects.
HoustonandHarrisCountyHousingConversation:EventReport 13
CDCs.Thiswillprovidemuchneededsupportforgrowingcriticalhousingprogramssuchasrealestatedevelopmentanddown‐paymentassistance.
10. EncourageneighborhoodlevelplanningthatistiedtocommunityrevitalizationeffortsandfundingthroughtheTexasDepartmentofHousingandCommunityAffairs(TDHCA).
11. ReformandexpandcodeenforcementandlivabilitystandardsinHoustonand
HarrisCounty.a. Houstonshouldconsolidatecodeenforcementprogramsforsingle‐family
andmulti‐familyrentalhomesintoonecitydepartment.b. HoustonandHarrisCountycouldadoptamonthlyfeestructuretoprovide
anadditionalfundingstreamforcodeenforcement(forexample,Austinchargesafeeoncityutilitybills,LosAngeleschargesaperunitfeeformultifamilyowners)tomaketheinspectionprogramrevenueneutral.
c. HoustonandHarrisCountyshouldheightenmultifamilyhabitabilitystandardstobetteralignwiththestandardsintheInternationalPropertyMaintenanceCode.
d. Considertenantsupportservicessuchasaneducationeffortaroundtenantrights(similartoAustin’sBASTAprogram)oratenantrelocationordinancefortenantsdisplacedfromunitsshutdownforcodeviolations.
PublicAccountabilityaroundHousingCommunitysentimentinthehousingconversationhighlightedadesiretoseepublicagenciesandofficialsremainopenabouteffortsaroundhousingandrelatedservices.Residentsarticulatedasetofconcernsaboutalackofaccessibleinformationaboutthefinancialresourcesdevotedtohousing.Whilepublicofficialsdocumentthisinformationthroughexistingcompliancemechanisms,theobservationsofpublicstakeholderssuggestthatpublicagenciescouldcontinuetoworktoimproveaccessibilityandresponsiveness.Thisongoingworkiscentraltobuildingtrustwithresidents.Enhancingaccountabilityeffortsandsystemshelpsensurethehousingsystemismonitored,evaluated,andimprovedinwaysthatbenefitclientswhilestillachievingcompliancetargets.Atensionpointthatsurfacedduringthedaywasrelatedtothedesireforasystemthatisbasedondignityandrespectforthepeoplewhoneedmoresupporttoachievesafe,affordablehousing.Itisimportanttoacknowledge,however,thataccountabilityeffortsarenotone‐sided.Communitystakeholdersmustcontinuetoengageinandsupporttheeffortsofpublicagencies.Thisincludestalkingwithelectedofficialsabouttheimportanceofaccountabilityandcallingfortheresourcestomakeitpossible.Thepublicmustalsobeheldaccountableinitseffortstoparticipateintheregionalconversationaroundhousinginproductiveways.StakeholdersinthehousingconversationtiedtheconversationaboutaccountabilitytotheongoingdiscussioninHoustontocreateacomprehensivehousingplan.Theplanningeffort
HoustonandHarrisCountyHousingConversation:EventReport 14
offersavenuethroughwhichpublicagenciesandofficialscouldestablishclearaccountabilityandprogressmeasures.Outlinedbelowarekeyideasandstrategiesdrawnfromstakeholdersintheconversationabouthowaccountabilitycanbebuiltintothehousingsystem:
1. Publiclydocumentallexistinghousingprogramsandfundingstreams.Eachpublicentityshouldworktoimprovethewaystheyshareinformationabouthousingfunds.WhileofficialdocumentssuchastheHUD’srequiredConsolidatedPlansprovidethisinformationforfederalfundingsources,additional,moredetailedanddirectlyaccessibledocumentationcouldbebeneficial,especiallyaroundtheuseoflocalfunds.
a. Anyfuturecomprehensivehousingplansshouldincludeadetaileddiscussionofhowajurisdictionplanstouseitshousingfundingstreamsfromlocal,state,andfederalsources.
2. Createhousingadvisoryboardsinanyjurisdictionswherepublicfundsareusedindiscretionaryways.Forexample,Houston’staxincrementreinvestmentfundsforaffordablehousingareoverseensolelybytheTIRZboardsandthecity.Addingacitizenadvisoryboardcouldaddtransparencyandpublicinputtothewaysthatfundingisallocated.
a. Thecreationoftheseentitiesmustbedoneinawaythatensuresthecitizensservingarecommittedtoproactivelypursuingsolutionsacrosstheregion,ratherthanactingtoblockhousingopportunitiesinparticularareas.
b. Houston’sCommunityDevelopmentAdvisoryCommitteealreadyprovidespublicfeedbacktothecityonitsConsolidatedPlanandFairHousingpractices.TheroleofthiscommitteecouldbeexpandedashasbeendoneinAustintoincludeinputonfundingsourcessuchashousingbondsorotherprograms.
3. Establishahousingreportcardoranotheraccountabilitytoolineachmajorjurisdiction.Numerousstakeholdersintheconversationhighlightedadesiretohaveaconsistentandaccessibleprogresstracker.Suchareportcouldmeasurehousingoutcomes,trackchangesinresidentneeds,andprovideinformationaboutpendingprojectsandtheuseoffinancialresources.
a. NortheasternUniversity’sGreaterBostonReportCardisanexampleofareportcardtool.
b. Inconjunctionwiththeefforttoprovidedataonthehousingsystem,considerusingHouston’sGISOpenDataportaltohousedatafortrackingandanalysis.
4. Ensurethatpublicagenciesworkinginthehousingsystemareflexibleand
adaptabletoneedsofresidents.Housingisnotisolatedfromothercommunity‐levelserviceneedssuchascodeenforcement,publicsafety,orrefusecollection.Publicdepartmentsthatworkinneighborhoodsandwithinthehousingsystemmustrecognizetheirinterconnection,helpfacilitatetheserviceneedsofresidents
HoustonandHarrisCountyHousingConversation:EventReport 15
acrossdepartments,andworkwithotherdepartmentstomatchservicesrenderedtoservicesrequired.
a. Withinhousing,publicandprivatehousingprovidersmustcontinuetoconsiderprogramsthatserveavarietyofhousingneeds,notjustthecreationofnewhousing.Maintenanceandrepairprogramscanhaveasimilarlysignificantimpact.Theseprogramscanoftenmoreeffectivelyhelprespondtohistoricallackofinvestmentincertainareas.
5. Requirepublicreportingonhousingeffortsandevaluationofattendant
servicesofferedbyagencies.Anumberoffishbowlparticipantsreflectedonthefactthatdistrustordoubtexistsamongresidentsabouttheeffectivenessofvariouspublicagenciesandserviceproviders.Consistentreevaluationoftheservicesbeingrenderedandopencommunicationwithresidentsabouttheefficacyofthoseserviceswouldhelpbuildtrustwithclients.
a. Requirethatpublicagenciesgiveperiodicevaluationofprogressonhousingeffortstocitycouncil,communityboards/commissions,andparticularstakeholdersinvolvedininitiatives.
b. Inconjunctionwithresidentfeedback,periodicallyevaluateprogramsservingthepublic.
AuthenticCommunityEngagementThemosteffectiveengagementispurposeful.Itshouldcomeearlyintheprocessandhelptoshapepoliciesorplans.Ifengagementeffortscanbetiedintootherelementscapturedbythehousingconversationsuchasthecraftingofsharedvisionsorprogramaccountabilityandeffectiveness,thenresidentsandparticipantsarefarmorelikelytobeengaged.Akeyaspectofthisworkistomaketheprocessaccessibletothosewhodonotoftenparticipatebymakingitsimpler,ongoingandtiedtoconcretesteps.Theprocessshouldconsiderhelpingpeopleunderstandwhat’shappeningbymeetingresidentswheretheyareintheirknowledgelevelandcontext.Communityengagementalsoprovidesbuy‐inforcommunitiesthemselves–ithelpsthemclaimtheirspaceandimpactthepoliticalprocess.Thisworkisdifficultandtakestime.Itcannotbecontainedtoasinglestep,buthastobeongoing.Thework‐in‐progressnatureofthispracticewasevidentevenintheconversationitself.TheoverwhelmingmajorityofparticipantsofferingcommentsduringtheeventwereWhiteorAfricanAmerican.InacityandregionwheretheHispanicpopulationisapproachingthemajority,increasingthediversityoftheconversationandmakingitaccessibletoallisessential.Aswiththecreationofeffectiveprogramsandaccountability,publicofficialsandagenciescannotpursuethiseffortalone.Residentstakeholdersneedtopushforadequatefundingfortheseeffortsandcometothepublicsectorreadytoworktowardsolutionsthatleadtoimprovedhousingforallacrossthewholeregion.
HoustonandHarrisCountyHousingConversation:EventReport 16
Thechallengeofusingcitizenengagementeffectivelyistoovercomethelimitationsofa“not‐in‐my‐backyard”(NIMBY)mentality.Ratherthancomingtopublicengagementeffortslookingtolimitopportunitiesortosay“no”toalloptions,citizensneedtowillinglyengageinaprocessaimedatfindingsolutionsthatworkforeveryneighborhoodandeveryresident.Inclusiveengagementatthebeginningofanyprocessminimizesduplicationofeffortandensuresthatwhatisdevelopedgenuinelyreflectstheneedsofthecommunity.Inaddition,housingisnotsiloedwithinacommunity,butratheraffectsandisaffectedbyothercriticalissuessuchastransportation,economicdevelopment,andhealthcare.Communityengagementmustalsoincludeallvoices–renters,homeowners,landlords,businesses,policymakers,practitioners,anddevelopers–andbridgegapsbetweenthesegroups.Individualsoftenfillmultipleroles‐aresidentspeakingforthecommunitymayalsobeapractitioner.Thereisnosingle“voice.”Outlinedbelowarekeyideasandstrategiesdrawnfromstakeholdersintheconversationabouthowtobestpursuecitizenengagement:
1. Provideinformationandspaceforindividualstoengageeffectively.Residentsmustbeabletocomfortablyacknowledgetheissuestheyfaceanddiscussstrategiestoaddresstheseissues.Itisdifficulttoreacheveryonebuteffortsshouldalwaysbemadetodoso.
a. Fitcommunityengagementintothecommunity’sschedule.Examplesincludeeveningmeetingsforworkingresidents,innovativemeetingstructures,andattendingcommunityevents.
b. Connectwithstakeholderswhoareneglectedbytheseengagementprocesses.Severalstakeholderswhowererentersvoicedconcernsthattheywereviewedaslessimportantparticipants.Thisissuecameuprepeatedly.Makingsureallresidentsareincludedandvaluedisessential.
c. Offercommunitylevelsurveysinmultipleformats(i.e.online,paper)andlanguages.
d. Engagetrustedpartners,suchascommunitydevelopmentcorporationsandthefaith‐basedcommunity,toreachcommunitiesthatareoftenlessrepresented,suchasHispanics.
e. Developinnovativestrategiesthatbridgethegapbetweendifferentstakeholders.Employpeoplefromacommunitytocollectinformationorencourageparticipationwithinthatcommunity.
2. Reviewbestpracticesfromothercitiesthathavedevelopedauthentic
communityengagementstrategiesandengagewithcommunityorganizersworkinginthosecities.
a. North&NortheastPortland,inOregonb. HousingNOLA,ahousingplanandimplementationprocessinNewOrleans
3. DevelopcommunityengagementguidelinesandencourageHoustonandHarris
Countytoimplementthem.
HoustonandHarrisCountyHousingConversation:EventReport 17
a. Guidelinesandotherengagementprocessesshouldbebuiltinawaythatallowformeaningfulengagement,butthatalsosupportpolicyinitiativesthataimtoprovideadequatehousingforall.Participationshouldstartfromaplaceofgettingtosolutions,ratherthanlimitingprojects.
b. Theguidelinescouldhelpencouragesupportforcommunitydevelopmentcorporationsandotheradvocatesworkingtoengagecommunities.
PoliticalWill&LeadershipAddressingthechallengesofhousinginHoustonandHarrisCountywillrequireleadershipfromofficialsateverylevelofgovernmentandactiveparticipationfromresidents,developers,advocates,andserviceproviderstosupportsharedgoals.Theurgencyoftheissue,expressedbystakeholdersandasevidentinthedata,requiresthatresidentspushofficialstofullyaccountforhousingneedsandprovidethepoliticalbackingneededtotakeaction.Officialsmustbewillingtousealltoolsattheirdisposalandtoconsiderthecreationofnewinnovationstosolvetheproblem.PoliticalwillisacriticalcomponenttotacklinghousingchallengesinHoustonandHarrisCounty.Throughoutthehousingconversationspeakersrepeatedlyreturnedtotheideathatwithoutpolicy‐makerssteppinguptoadvocateforadditionalfundingandpushingbackagainstlimiting“notinmybackyard”(NIMBY)attitudes,littlewouldchange.Thisresponsibilityappliestoresidentsandpublicstakeholdersaswellwhohavetocometotheprocesspreparedtofindsolutions.Politicalleadershipmustbefoundatthelocal,stateandfederallevels,butanumberofspeakershighlightedtheimportanceoflocalleadersidentifyingandembracinginnovativesolutions.Otherserviceareas,suchasschooldistricts,thatareimpactedbyhousingshouldalsogetinvolved,acknowledgechallengesandpushforsolutions.Advocatesmustmakeitpossibleforpublicofficialstostepuptotheissueandthenholdthepublicleadersaccountable.Engagingadiversearrayoforganizationsandindividualswhosupportaffordablehousingbothspotlightstheimportanceoftheissueforpolicy‐makerswhilealsoprovidesappropriatesupportforthemtoengage.Theongoingpoliticalefforttoaddresshousingisnotaneasytaskandrequireson‐goingeducation,engagementandtrust.Outlinedbelowarekeyideasandstrategiesdrawnfromstakeholdersintheconversationabouthowbesttoencouragepoliticalwillandleadershiparoundtheissueofhousing:
1. Createmeaningfulopportunitiestoengagekeyvoicesthatvocalizeneedstopolicy‐makers,includingthefaith‐basedcommunity,residents,corporations,communitydevelopmentcorporations,communitynonprofitsandcivicclubs.
a. Developadiversecoalitionthatcanadvocateforaffordablehousingintheregionandholdpolicy‐makersaccountable.
2. Connecthousingchallengeswithothercriticallocalissues.Housingisnota
stand‐aloneissueandmanyotherareas(i.e.schools,healthandcrime)require
HoustonandHarrisCountyHousingConversation:EventReport 18
innovativewaystoaddressinter‐connectedchallenges.Theseopportunitiescanattractnewpoliticalchampionsandresources.
3. Advocatesandresidentsshouldbuildlong‐termrelationshipswithpolicy‐
makers,sothatwhencrisesarise,theconnectionhasbeenestablishedalready.
4. Encourageinter‐governmentalentitiessothatjurisdictioncanworkmorecloselywitheachother(i.e.HoustonandHarrisCounty)todiscusschallengesandstrategizeaboutsolutions.
5. EncourageHoustontodevelopacomprehensivehousingplan
a. Establishesaclearsetofstrategiesandgoalsbasedondataandcommunityinputtoaddresshousinganddetermineprioritiesforallpublicsectorinvestment
b. Particularlynotedintheconversation,encourageHoustontotakeavestedinterestinTIRZfundsforaffordablehousingtoensureitisbeingusedstrategically.
6. Undertakeaninnovativehousingprojectthatmodelseffectivepolicies,fundingsourcesandcommunityengagement.Thiscanhelpsetthestageforsubsequentopportunities.
a. LookforsiteswhereHoustonorHarrisCountypossessleverage,e.g.identifysiteswherepubliclandcanbeusedfortheprojectorasanincentive.
7. Ensurethathousinggoalsarelinkedtoeffortsinotherdepartmentsand
jurisdictions.a. BothHoustonandHarrisCountyshouldholdregularmeetingswithleaders
overseeinghousing,economicdevelopment,transportationandplanningtofacilitatecollaborationandidentifyopportunitiesforincorporatingaffordablehousingpoliciesintoothercityprograms.Documentfindingspublicly.
b. HoldregularmeetingsbetweenHouston,HarrisCounty,andleadersfromothermunicipalitiestoidentifysimilaroverlaps.Documentfindingspublicly.
InterwovenissuesHousingisanintegralpartofpeople’slives,butitcannotbeviewedinisolationfromotherimportantelements.Education,healthcare,transportation,employmentandwages,andthehistoryofvariouscommunitiesareallconnectedwithhousing.Thehousingdiscussion,therefore,canprovideaspacethroughwhichtotietheseinterwoventopicstogetherineffective,reinforcingways.Partnershipsneedtobebuiltandreinforcedacrosspublicandprivateentitiesinordertoensurethecreationofcohesiveandcompletecommunitiesthatworkforallresidents.Publicofficials,advocates,andserviceprovidersinvolvedwiththehousingsystemmustworkwithcolleaguesacrosssectorstotieservicestogether.Thiseffortshouldrespondtotheneedsvoicedbydifferentcommunities.
HoustonandHarrisCountyHousingConversation:EventReport 19
Individualhousingplanscannotaddressalltheissuesthatstemfromtheseinterwovenissues.Carefulefforts,however,thatestablishcleartiesbetweenhousingprogramsandotherlinkedservicescouldbeeffectivelaunchingpointsforusingthehousingdiscussiontoaddressawidevarietyofissues.Outlinedbelowarekeyideasandstrategiesdrawnfromstakeholdersintheconversationabouthowtobestconnectinterwovenissueswiththehousingsystem:
1. Cultivatepartnershipswithkeyinstitutionsoperatingininterconnectedareas.Publicandprivatehousingprovidersshouldconnectwithschooldistricts,healthcareproviders,transportationagencies,privatebusinesses,andotherentitiestoidentifycommonresourcesandareasofneed.Housingplandocumentsshouldidentifyareasofcommondialogueandaction.
a. Aschooldistrict,forexample,couldofferlanditownsforhousingprojectsorworkwithahousingagencytocreateprogrammingthataimstoeducateschoolfamiliesabouthousingprograms.
2. Supporttheimplementationoffamily‐sustainingwagesthroughmajor
employersandpartners.Withhigherincomes,housingoptionsbecomemoreaffordable.Housingissuesshouldbetiedintodiscussionsaboutthegrowthofthecity’seconomyandworkforce.Schooldistricts,cities,andmajorprivatecompaniescouldinstitutefamily‐sustainingwageswithintheirorganizationstohelpimprovetheeconomicsituationofmanyHoustonandHarrisCountyhouseholds.
a. Anumberofconversationparticipantsnotedtheimportanceofpursuinghigherwagesasatoolforhouseholdstoimprovetheirhousingsituation.
3. Viewcommunitydevelopmentasaholisticendeavor.Publicagenciesand
partnerscanworktostrengthenexistingcommunitiesusinghousingaseitherananchororasupport.Thestrengtheningofacommunitydoesnothavetostartwithhousing,andagencieswithinthehousingsystemcanbringadditionalservicesintohousingprojects.
a. Majorinvestmentsintohousingmustbecoupledwithinvestmentsinotherinfrastructureandcapitalimprovements.
b. HoustoniscurrentlydevelopingaCompleteCommunitiesinitiativethatseeshousingasonecomponentofalargerefforttostrengthencommunities.
c. Housingandtransportationcostsandsolutionsshouldbeconsideredjointly.Thetwomakeupalargeshareofeveryhousehold’sspending.TheCenterforNeighborhoodTechnologyusesahousing+transportationmechanismtocalculateaffordability.
d. Intheconversationtherewasclearfocusanddebateontheimportanceofeducationandschooldistrictinvolvementincommunities.Ideasthatcameouttotieeducationandhousingtogetherincludedensuringequitablecapitalinvestmentinallcommunitiesandworkingtomakeschoolsinallneighborhoodssuccessful.
HoustonandHarrisCountyHousingConversation:EventReport 20
4. Housingagenciesandpartnersmustsupporttheeffortsofoneanother.Forschoolstosucceedfamiliesneedstablehomes.Itiseasierforaworkertoretainemploymentiftheyhavestablehousing.Thesamelogicappliesforhousingdevelopmentsandcommunitiesaswhole.Leadersinthehousingsystemshouldsupporteffortsofinterconnectedsystemstostrengthentheirservicesandefficacy.Ineachdirection,leadershipwillneedtogobeyondtheircomfortzonestoachievebetter,moreholisticresults.
ConclusionWewouldliketoagainthanktheparticipantswhojoinedtheconversation,theexpertpanelists,thesteeringcommitteemembers,andthesponsorswhomadetheHoustonandHarrisCountyHousingConversationasuccess.Participationincludedmorethan200personsfromadiversearrayofconstituencies:non‐profits,governmentagencies,financialinstitutions,developers,communitydevelopmentcorporations,serviceproviders,foundations,universities,communityleadersandresidents.Eachparticipantexpressedtheirknowledgeandpassionabouttheissue,whilemaintainingrespectforeachotherandaddressingcomplexchallenges.ItisthroughthismutualengagementthatHoustonandHarrisCountywillbeabletoeffectivelyaddressitshousingchallenges.ThesynthesizedthemesandideasoutlinedinthisreportprovideasetofbroadlysourcedandpassionatelyheldthoughtsonwhataregionalhousingsolutionmightlooklikeforHoustonandHarrisCounty.Thisisadocumentthatallstakeholdersshouldbeabletorefertoforguidanceandideas.WithHouston’sCompleteCommunitiesinitiativetakingshape,plansforanewcomprehensivehousingplanintheworks,andongoingplanningworkoccurringatthecountyandinothermunicipalities,theinformationofferedhereisvital.Theconversationcapturedamomentofgreatenergyaroundthisissue.Committedpublicservants,advocates,developers,andresidentshavealreadyputyearsofworkandeffortintoimprovingourhousingsystem.Themomentumsoevidentinthecharrettemakesitclearthatnowisamomentwhereadditionaleffortcanbuilduponthatpreviouswork.Theconversationcreatestheopportunitytohelpmovetheregiontowardbecomingaplacewithadiverserangeofaffordablehousingavailableforalltypesofpeopleinallpartsofthecounty.Weencourageeveryonetofindopportunities,bothinourcommunitiesaswellascitywide,toengagearoundtheseideas.WefirmlybelievetheHoustonandHarrisCountycommunityhastheopportunitytousethisreporttocontinuethisimportantconversation.Wehopetheongoingconversationaroundaffordablehousingoffersanopportunitytostayengagedandtocontinueexpandingthedialogueinordertomeaningfullyshapethecity,county,andregion.
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