Air and Water Quality Air and water quality has improved over the last couple decades but remain at levels that can harm public health, particularly the most vulnerable. Despite improvement in water and air pollution levels in Houston’s three-county region over the last two decades, People of Color and low-income communities continue to bear a …
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Renewable Energy & Climate Change
Renewable Energy & Climate Change in Houston As our region continues to experience the effects of climate change, the role of renewable energy sources grows more important. While current greenhouse gas emission levels in Greater Houston have remained flat in the last decade, our region has become hotter and wetter. Climate change risks are projected …
Housing Vulnerabilities
Housing Vulnerabilities in Houston Unsafe or unstable housing continues to threaten the health, well-being, and economic security of Houston-area residents. Many low-income households lack the necessary resources to afford soaring rents and bounce back from disasters, leaving them more vulnerable to unsafe housing conditions, eviction or even homelessness. Why housing vulnerabilities matter to Houston Hundreds …
Housing Affordability & Ownership
Housing Affordability & Ownership Housing is the single largest expense for most households and has become less affordable for renters. Homeownership rates in Houston’s three-county region have not budged from what they were about a decade ago, and they remain disproportionately low among low-income and non-white households. More households are more likely to rent, reflecting …
Health Risks & Outcomes
Health Risks & Health Outcomes in Houston Despite reductions in cancer mortality and lower rates of premature death than the state and nation, a sizable percentage of Houstonians continue to experience poor physical health and well-being More Houstonians have become sedentary, food insecure, unwell, obese and diabetic in recent years, with people of color disproportionately …
Mental Health
Mental Health Mental health conditions are common in the region, yet residents struggle to access mental health services in Houston Our region has seen a recent increase in mental distress frequency, drug use and suicides, exacerbating the existing mental health challenges across the Houston region. While the number of mental health care workers per resident …
Health Care Access
Health Care Access Too few Houston-area residents are able to access affordable, high-quality health care consistently, contributing to poor health outcomes for a significant portion of our neighbors Uninsured rates in the three-county Houston region have steadily increased since 2016, while physician availability and preventable hospital stays have improved. Why access to health care matters …
Funding, Enrollment & Teachers
Funding, Enrollment & Teachers A thriving public school system requires sufficient funding, robust student enrollment and effective teachers The COVID-19 pandemic upended student enrollment and had a significant effect on teachers just as HB3 increased funding to public schools. Why school funding, enrollment, and teachers matter to Houston Public schools need students, teachers and money. …
Post-secondary Education
Post-secondary Education The continued shift to a knowledge-based economy means the best opportunities for job prospects and upward mobility will require education and training beyond high school Rates of college readiness and enrollment in the region are stagnant or in decline, and not enough Houston-area students earn post-secondary credentials after high school. The effects of …
Academic Outcomes
Academic Outcomes How well students perform throughout elementary, middle and high school has profound effects on other important areas of their lives Academic outcomes for students in Houston’s three-county region have suffered since the pandemic, and they weren’t that great to begin with. Students of color and from low-income households have experienced the greatest disparities …