4 Takeaways from our first Nonprofit Disaster Data Dive + Workshop

On March 4, 2021, Understanding Houston held its first Data Dive + Workshop with United Way of Greater Houston. These are interactive and engaging sessions with nonprofit organizations in which we talk about data! This event was the first in a three-part series of Data Dives + Workshops focused on natural disasters in Greater Houston.  …

Key insights from our webinar on housing inequities

Housing in Houston has become less affordable, and low-income households bear the greatest burden In partnership with Rice University’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, Greater Houston Community Foundation hosted a Housing Inequities program on October 20 to educate and engage donors and community partners on inequities in housing affordability, supply, and vulnerability in Greater Houston.  …

Five key insights from our webinar on Criminal Justice

While progress is being made in the criminal justice system, much work remains to be done in removing racial disparities and the life-long consequences of incarceration. In partnership with Arnold Ventures, the Greater Houston Community Foundation held a Criminal Justice Reform program on September 24 to educate and engage donors on various aspects of the …

After six federal disasters in five years, why do we not fully prepare?

Fellow Houstonians, we are one month into the 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season. Experts predict another above-average hurricane season this year — meaning we could see more storms active in the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf Coast. Indeed, the beginning of the season has already been very active. Houstonians have experienced the devastation and loss from six …

Seven Neighborhood-Level Data Tools to Know and Use

Neighborhoods matter. Where we live has a profound impact on our lives in ways we don’t always understand. Maps and dashboards that provide quality-of-life data at the neighborhood-level are a key piece to the puzzle of understanding communities. Understanding Houston focuses on county-level data to measure how the region performs overall and across time, but …

COVID-19’s potential impact in Greater Houston, by the numbers

COVID-19 has upended lives around the globe, and Houston is no exception. We continue to hear the worst is yet to come, but it’s difficult to fully comprehend what that means or take proper action without context. To mitigate the effects of this global public health crisis in our region, we must understand the scope …