A feature in the Houston Chronicle explores the economic segregation of Houston along the axis of Main Street—with low income neighborhoods like Independence Heights to the north and affluent neighborhoods like Old Braeswood to the south.
"Houston is a place of stark contrasts," writes Monica Rohr to frame a feature coverage in the Houston Chronicle. "It is home to pockets of poverty, including Independence Heights, the northside neighborhood where Streets has lived since she was a teenager, and also to multibillion-dollar corporations and multimillion-dollar mansions."
As an example that informs lessons well beyond its municipal boundaries, "[Houston] epitomizes America in 2015, where the gap between rich and poor keeps growing wider and [people live] on just enough to get by, but never enough to get ahead."
The article includes several profiles on citizens trying to overcome the disadvantages of their zip code in neighborhoods that rank among some of the worst in the country on measures like income, college education, and more. The examples of how low income Houstonians struggle illustrate the many manifestations of poverty in urban environments—often found just a few blocks away from affluence and excess.
FULL STORY: The Divide: Income inequality in America's most economically segregated big city

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

Paris Voters Approve More Car-Free Streets
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo says the city will develop a plan to close 500 streets to car traffic and add new bike and pedestrian infrastructure after a referendum on the proposal passed with 66 percent of the vote.

Making Mobility More Inclusive
A new study highlights the challenges people with disabilities continue to face in navigating urban spaces.

Texas Bills Could Push More People Into Homelessness
A proposal to speed up the eviction process and a bill that would accelerate enforcement of an existing camping ban could make the state’s homelessness crisis worse, advocates say.
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