The places we share

Learn About Federal Housing & Money Policies - Free Online Event June 25

LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation) is hosting a free webinar on Wednesday, June 25th at 2 PM Eastern Time about federal policies that affect housing and economic development. Congress is currently working on a huge tax package worth several trillion dollars and planning the 2026 federal budget with over $1.5 trillion in additional spending. At the same time, housing has become much harder to afford across the country, with fewer places where families can afford to rent or buy decent homes. This webinar will bring together lawmakers from Congress and community practitioners to discuss what opportunities exist for action and what happens if we don't act. The speakers haven't been announced yet, but this event goes along with LISC's 2025-2026 Policy Priorities that were recently released. People can register for free to join the conversation about how federal policies impact housing affordability and community economic development. LISC works to strengthen communities by helping with housing, economic development, and other community needs. This is a chance for people to learn from both policymakers and people working directly in communities.

Houston Survey Shows What Residents Love and Worry About in 2025

The 2025 Kinder Houston Area Survey asked nearly 10,000 people in Harris, Fort Bend, and Montgomery counties about life in Houston. The results show Houston's strengths and challenges. People love Houston's diverse culture, job opportunities, and welcoming community. Four out of five residents think Houston is better than other big cities. Over half have lived here for 20 years or more, showing strong community roots. However, residents worry about serious problems. Crime, high costs of living, and expensive housing are top concerns. Many people rate the area's roads, bridges, and public services as poor. Nearly 40% of residents are thinking about moving away, mainly because of money stress. The survey found big differences in quality of life - people with less money have much harder experiences. But there's hope: over 80% of residents want the government to work on reducing inequality and helping everyone have basic needs met. Most residents also see immigrants as helping Houston's economy grow. The survey shows Houston has great potential as a diverse, opportunity-rich region, but leaders need to urgently address problems with infrastructure, safety, and making sure everyone can succeed economically. This research calls on community leaders and residents to work together building a stronger, more inclusive Houston for everyone.

Housing Report Webinar: Harris County & Houston Costs Rising

The Kinder Institute at Rice University is hosting a webinar on June 17, 2025, to share findings from their annual State of Housing report for Harris County and Houston. This important report tracks how expensive housing has become in our area. The webinar will focus on how disasters, climate change, and rising insurance costs make housing even harder to afford. Three expert panelists will discuss the data: James Elliott from Rice University who studies coastal resilience, Elaine Morales-Díaz from Connective who works on housing partnerships, and Jeremy Porter from First Street who studies climate impacts. The 2024 report showed some concerning trends: home prices reached $315,000 in Harris County and $335,000 in Houston, making it much harder for families to buy homes. The affordability gap has grown 275% in Harris County since 2018. Most neighborhoods aren't affordable for families making $100,000 per year. However, the report also shows positive changes, with more Hispanic and Black families becoming homeowners in suburban areas. Nearly 1 in 10 Harris County neighborhoods show signs of gentrification. This free webinar is funded by Wells Fargo and provides crucial data for understanding Houston's housing challenges.

Left in the Cold: Houston Residents Report Lack of Safe, Reliable Heating in Winter

12% of Harris County residents don't have safe, reliable heat at home. The housing quality study reveals critical gaps in winter preparedness across Houston.

Are Corporate Buyers Hogging Single-Family Homes in Harris County?

A Kinder Institute analysis shows nine large companies own about 1% of single-family homes in Harris County. Examines impact on housing affordability.

Ways to Give Money to Habitat for Humanity Montgomery County

Protest Planning and Safety Guide

Community Groups Win Big Changes for Better Jobs, Housing, and Schools

IAF Community Organizing Wins on Housing, Policy, and Power Building

Church Group Helps 6,500 Families Buy Their First Homes

Free Community Leadership Training and Resources for Houston