In 2024, Houston’s political landscape reflected significant community initiatives and challenges. Recent initiatives reflect the city’s inclination toward addressing pressing challenges, especially in underserved communities.
From investments like a permanent generator for Kashmere Gardens’ multi-service center, funding for affordable housing projects, and new tools to help domestic violence victims, Houston had a busy year.
Community-driven programs to prevent crime, foster youth development, and strengthen public safety were also noted.
Fifth Ward’s residents in “cancer cluster” resist relocation
Fifth Ward is known as a cancer cluster today. In 2019, the state health department declared the area a “cancer cluster” because operations at the Union Pacific Railroad site at 4910 Liberty Road contaminated soil and groundwater. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Texas Department of State Health Services, and a Texas A&M study have revealed that the area is affected by high levels of cancer-causing chemicals.
Property owners in Houston’s Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens had a Nov. 30 deadline for their soil to be tested for contamination.
Earlier this year, the City of Houston voted unanimously to send $2 million to Houston Land Bank and implement a voluntary relocation plan for several families living in the area, away from the contaminated rail yard site. The funding was part of a $5 million Voluntary Relocation Fund, which was approved last year under the administration of former Mayor Sylvester Turner. Current Mayor John Whitmire discussed a pressing concern several residents have—a fear that the relocation plan will be an attempt to take their land and gentrify the area.
For years, residents have vocally expressed their concerns and asked for the site to be cleaned. However, according to Houston City Council Member Tiffany Thomas, mistrust of the government within the Black community regarding land ownership persists.
Harris County launched a new program to uplift economically disadvantaged families
Harris County launched a new program that provides financial assistance to families impacted by financial insecurities with $500 per month for 18 months. However, the state struck down the program, and a new version of the program, Uplift Harris 2.0, was launched for the same amount to be preloaded in debit cards for nearly 2,000 families who were already selected in the program’s first version.
This iteration, set to begin on Jan. 1, 2025, will have more restrictions on spending categories.
County Judge Lina Hidalgo said the new program will still benefit the families, despite losing the “spirit” of the older one.
Kashmere Gardens’ resiliency hub gets a generator
Kashmere Garden, a historically African-American neighborhood, received a permanent generator, priced at $899,000, for its multi-service center. It will be installed and functional within a year, said Mayor John Whitmire’s administration. The generator results from a proposal from Councilwoman Letitia Plummer, who brought up the neighborhood’s lack of preparedness in the face of extreme weather conditions during an FY2025 budget meeting.
Whitmire said this will be the new model implemented in other underserved parts of Houston.
The resiliency hub is the only such center in the city. It aims to provide residents with access to food assistance, community education, and Wi-Fi and serve as a resource connector during climate emergencies. However, the center also lost power during Hurricane Beryl earlier this year.
Plummer said the community’s struggle during extreme warm and cold weather was “unacceptable.” Residents welcomed the news of the generator, reiterating its need during emergencies.
However, the community still needs to endure another winter and hurricane season. Whitmire said he plans to provide services for a reprieve during harsh conditions.
Kashmere Gardens also got funds for solar farms when the Houston City Council voted to accept a $20 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to create 15 acres of solar farms over the next three years.
New QR code launched for Harris County’s domestic violence victims
According to the Texas Council on Family Violence, 205 people, comprising 179 women and 26 men, were killed by their partners in Texas. Such cases were reported in 64 counties, out of which Harris County led the charts with 38 victims.
Houston’s City Council, in collaboration with Council Member Twila Carter, county leaders, police, and organizations, launched a new QR code this year, a digital tool aimed at helping domestic violence victims. The page contains resources needed to plan, prepare, identify risk areas, and protect children.
The QR code, available in English and Spanish, would take the user to a link that says, “I’m ok. Are you ok?” City leaders plan to put up the codes across Harris County and in more languages like Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean.
City Council passes two affordable housing projects
In October, the Houston City Council approved two affordable housing projects, Ariza Park Row (300 units) and Orem Circle (270 units). The decision followed intense debate on whether the city should give developers $800,000 or more in tax breaks in exchange for affordable rental units for low-income tenants.
The projects passed with support from all council members except Julian Ramirez, who argued the city did not have adequate information on the partnership with the Houston Housing Authority (HHA). He also said the Orem Circle Project will not be “affordable enough” for the residents of Sunnyside.
Houston will not see a property tax increase this year
The state approved $50 million in funds for debris removal in 122 counties impacted by Hurricane Beryl and the derecho storm in May this year. Following the state funding announcement, Mayor John Whitmire announced the city will not see a property tax increase this year, keeping it at its current 51.9 cents per $100 of assessed value.
The announcement came after Council members Sallie Alcorn, Joaquin Martinez, Letitia Plummer, and Mario Castillo proposed a tax rate increase to 55 cents on each $100 of taxable value, to address the need for disaster relief after the storms caused massive destruction in Houston.
More than 291K voter registrations were “In Suspense” in Harris County
A month before the Nov. 5 elections, 291,376 voter registrations were “in suspense” in Harris County, the Defender reported through a public records request.
In Texas, more than one million voters who had moved or died were purged from the voter rolls, and more than 2.1 million voter registrations were placed “in suspense.”
The “in suspense” voters could still cast their ballots but had to fill out a notice of confirmation or vote from their old precinct. Many argued this was a voter suppression tactic.
Houston Housing Authority (HHA) President and CEO resigned
David A. Northern, Sr., the president and CEO of the Houston Housing Authority (HHA), resigned. The Whitmire-appointment new board of commissioners placed him on paid administrative leave following a federal investigation into the organization’s contracting practices and Northern’s leadership.
Northern said the HHA secured over $60 million in federal funding this year and called the investigation “warrantless.”
“The Board has taken this step to try and fabricate a reason to remove me because they do not have one,” he shared then. “I am deeply concerned about the weaponization of our housing authority and the negative impact that this has had on the morale of HHA staff and our ability to serve our constituents. Nevertheless, I will keep fighting to protect both our mission and the truth. At the heart of this issue, it is Houston’s most vulnerable residents who stand to lose the most.”
Jennine Hovell-Cox will remain interim president and CEO until the position is filled with a permanent replacement.
Erica Lee, daughter of late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, completes her mother’s term
Erica Lee, the daughter of former Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, was sworn in to represent an “Unexpired Term” of the historical 18th Congressional District of Texas.
Houston’s former mayor, Sylvester Turner, won the “Full Term,” which will run from Jan. 3, 2025 to Jan. 3, 2027.
Houston City Council Approved Community-based Crime Prevention Program
A pilot crime-prevention program called “Credible Messenger, led by the nonprofit Collective Action for Youth received $2 million from the Houston City Council. The program pairs mentors previously involved with the justice system with youth facing challenges.
The program model, which began in 1979 with Black Panther Eddie Allis and incarcerated people, aims to reduce re-arrests and anti-social behavior.
Council Member Tarsha Jackson supported the city’s investment and acknowledged the impact of these efforts.
