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What's keeping Harris County housing unaffordable? These 4 charts and maps offer clues.

Harris County housing costs keep outpacing wages, with over a third of residents cost-burdened and renters hit hardest, per the Kinder Institute.

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Harris County multifamily housing construction tops single-family development by largest margin in recent history

Harris County added 30,700 multifamily units in 2024, outpacing single-family construction by the largest margin in recent history.

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Urban Edge’s most-read stories in 2025: Public housing, population growth articles top the list

A look back at Urban Edge's seven most-read Houston-focused stories from 2025, covering housing, population, transit, and more.

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New FEMA map would add 200 square miles, 115K housing units to Harris County floodplains

A Kinder Institute analysis examines a proposed FEMA map that would add nearly 200 square miles and 175,000 housing units to Harris County floodplains.

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Half of Houston Renters Are One Crisis Away from Homelessness. One Nonprofit Offers Hope

New Hope Housing helps Houston renters on the edge of homelessness with affordable apartments and on-site support services.

Story Studio - Chron.com

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GO Neighborhoods: Discover the Power of Community | LISC Houston

GO Neighborhoods supports Houston communities in Fifth Ward, OST/South Union, and Northline through housing, economic, education, health, and safety programs.

Local Initiatives Support Corporation

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Houston’s build-to-rent market keeps growing. Will federal legislation bring it down?

Federal legislation could force build-to-rent developers in Houston to sell properties within seven years, threatening a fast-growing housing segment.

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Despite glut of existing homes for sale, Houston leads nation in new-home permitting

Houston tops the nation in new-home permits per capita, even as a near 15-year housing inventory high keeps homeownership out of reach for many.

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Houston's 222-Bed Homeless Services Hub at 419 Emancipation Ave.

A new 222-bed low-barrier hub at 419 Emancipation Ave. links unhoused Houstonians to mental health care, shelter, and housing pathways.

Houston Public Media

Article

School vouchers, slowing growth and food insecurity: What Kinder Institute researchers are watching in Houston in 2026

Kinder Institute researchers highlight Houston's biggest issues to watch in 2026: school vouchers, population shifts, and food insecurity.

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Five things happening in Houston right now

A roundup of five current Houston news stories, including National Night Out, a bayou body recovery, a new homeless hub, and a redistricting trial.

DefenderNetwork.com

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These 21 community initiatives are making Houston more resilient | Kinder Institute for Urban Research

A Kinder Institute report examines 21 Houston community initiatives working to build resilience across five pilot Complete Communities neighborhoods.

Kinder Institute for Urban Research, Rice University

Article

Fewer babies, migrating families: The demographic trends reshaping Houston’s public schools

Kinder Institute research examines how falling birth rates and family moves are shrinking Houston-area public school enrollment.

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Welcoming Houston Initiative Launched

Houston launched a Welcoming City initiative in 2016 to plan better integration and opportunities for immigrants and refugees.

Houstonimmigration

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Block by Block: How Civic Leadership and Flexible Capital Are Strengthening Houston Neighborhoods | LISC Houston

LISC Houston's T4T Graduation showcased how civic leadership and small grants are strengthening Houston neighborhoods block by block.

Local Initiatives Support Corporation

Article

Abandoned properties are making Houston hotter. Could these changes turn down the heat?

Abandoned buildings and vacant lots are raising Houston surface temps by up to 20°F — researchers say green reuse beats demolition.

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Houston’s Haven for LGBTQ+ Youth

Tony's Place in Houston's Montrose area supports homeless LGBTQ+ youth ages 14–25 with meals, supplies, mental health care, and more.

San Jacinto Times

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Houston's Age Gap: Young City, Older Leaders

Houston is a young city with older political leaders - here's why that matters and how you can help bridge the gap.

Houstonia Magazine

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Houston Landing: Independent News Source Closes After Two Years

Houston Landing provided independent local journalism for our city from 2023-2025, covering civic issues that matter to residents before closing due to financia

Houston Landing

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Houston’s committee for enforcing apartment standards sits dormant. Will City Council revive it?

Houston City Council may revive a dormant committee to enforce apartment standards and hold negligent landlords accountable.

Article

Beyond the streets: Estimated 140,000-plus Houston-area adults were temporarily homeless in prior year

A Kinder Institute survey estimates 141,400 Houston-area adults were temporarily homeless in the prior year — about 5% of all residents.

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Left in the cold: These Houston residents report lack of safe, reliable heating in winter

About 1 in 8 Harris County residents report having no safe, reliable heat at home, per early Kinder Institute survey results.

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Latest Hobby Report Highlights Main Concerns for Houstonians

A UH survey found Houstonians' top concerns are poor streets, crime, and traffic, though most rate the city's quality of life as good.

City of Houston

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Court Rules Against Deputies Who Searched Wrong Houston Home

Federal court ruled against Harris County deputies who searched the wrong Houston home and held innocent couple at gunpoint, rejecting their immunity claims.

Houston Public Media

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1 in 5 Texas students are still missing lots of school — and attendance isn’t getting much better

About 1 in 5 Texas students were chronically absent in 2023-24, still well above pre-pandemic levels despite a slight drop.

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Old Funeral Home Becomes Homes for Seniors in Los Angeles

A former mortuary in Los Angeles was turned into 122 apartments for seniors who need affordable housing.

Good Good Good

Article

Supreme Court Voting Rights Ruling Could Change Texas Elections

A Supreme Court ruling makes it harder to challenge unfair voting maps, which could reshape Texas elections and affect Houston's diverse communities.

The Texas Tribune

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Free Green Home Visits Help Families Save Energy

Free visits where trained youth install energy-saving items in your home to cut utility bills while learning valuable green job skills.

Good Good Good

Article

The Women of Tony’s Place: Leading LGBTQ Youth to Safety and Empowerment.

Tony's Place is a Houston drop-in center offering LGBTQ youth hot meals, showers, case management, and a safe space to belong.

OutSmart Magazine

Article

Harris County records biggest shift toward renting, away from homeownership in a decade

Harris County saw its biggest drop in homeownership in a decade in 2024, with 19,000 fewer owner households and 30,000 more renters.

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Menefee's First Bill: Ending Long Congressional Vacancies

Houston's Congressman Menefee introduces bill requiring special elections within 180 days to prevent long congressional vacancies like his own district faced.

Houston Public Media

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Comedian Caleb Hearon Donates $15K for Trans Day of Visibility

Comedian Caleb Hearon donates $15K to support transgender-led organizations nationwide, including groups that serve Houston's LGBTQ+ community.

Good Good Good

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An average life expectancy of 80? This Rice researcher says a ‘universal basic neighborhood’ can make it happen.

Researcher Michael Emerson proposes minimum neighborhood health standards to help all communities reach an average life expectancy of 80.

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Texas Health Care Workforce Has Grown 123% in 30 Years — But Still Falls Short

Texas health care jobs grew 123% in 30 years, but shortages persist — some regions meet as little as 25% of employer needs.

Houston Public Media

Article

Sunnyside survey shows neighborhood's social fabric is strong | Kinder Institute for Urban Research

Survey finds Sunnyside and South Park residents show strong social bonds, civic engagement, and neighborhood satisfaction despite economic challenges.

Kinder Institute for Urban Research, Rice University

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Montgomery County Abortion Law Criminal Case Shows Texas Legal Changes

Montgomery County filed the first criminal charges under Texas abortion laws, testing how courts handle these cases in our region.

Houston Public Media