The city builds more new housing than almost any other and has dramatically reduced homelessness, yet low-income families struggle to find affordable housing.
Despite the large numbers of new homes being built in the region and the city’s famous affordability, Houston struggles to provide enough housing for the lowest-income families, writes Caroline Cheung in an analysis in Kinder Institute’s Urban Edge.
The crisis is spreading to a wider range of households, Cheong notes. “In 2024, the Kinder Institute’s State of Housing report found that a household earning $100,000 a year cannot afford a median-priced home purchase in a majority of Harris County neighborhoods.” And over half of renters spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing.
However, the city also benefits from a strong construction sector, consistently in the top cities for new housing builds, in part due to its lax (sometimes nonexistent) land use and zoning regulations.
Clearly, Houston is not immune to the market pressures, policy shifts and demographic changes that impact affordability across the country. But if there was ever a city that had a clear “advantage” to confronting its housing challenges, it’s ours.
The piece is the first in a series of blogs explaining housing issues in Houston and Harris County, as well as the city’s unique advantages that could allow it to more effectively stem the housing crisis.
FULL STORY: To build a better housing system in Houston, let’s start here
Survey: Most Mayors Fail to Link Zoning and Homelessness
Despite the powerful impact of local land use and zoning policies on housing costs and supply, many U.S. mayors believe they have little control over homelessness in their cities.
Texas Legislature’s Surprising Pro-Housing Swing
Smaller homes on smaller lots, office to apartment conversions, and 40% less say for NIMBYs, vote state lawmakers.
Local Governments Sue HUD Over Funding Cuts
A new lawsuit alleges that the Trump administration’s revised guidelines for housing and homelessness assistance funds will decimate key programs.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.
Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.
Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie