Urban Edge

Sharp insights. Smart solutions. Better cities.

Congress’ debate over ‘Obamacare’ subsidies stands to impact 1 million Houstonians

For more than 1 million Houstonians, the argument in Washington over Affordable Care Act subsidies hits close to home.

Federal data shows a large and rapidly rising number of Houston residents are enrolled in an Affordable Care Act marketplace health insurance plan — commonly known as “Obamacare” — with “enhanced” tax credits, which have lowered annual out-of-pocket premiums by hundreds of dollars on average. The credits, combined with much larger federal subsidies, drop their premiums from about $600 to $40 per month on average.

Hurricane Beryl remains a disruptive force for some Harris County residents, survey shows

Time hasn’t healed all wounds from Hurricane Beryl for some Harris County residents.

How do young adults feel about living in Houston? These 4 charts tell the story.

Careers attract and keep many young adults in the Houston area, but the region’s people and culture are big reasons why they set down roots.

In Houston’s Settegast neighborhood, residents take charge on solving health, housing issues

When Texas A&M doctoral candidate Jacquita Johnson visited 80 women from northeast Houston’s Settegast neighborhood, she repeatedly heard horror stories about water.

YMCA CEO: We’re working to tackle loneliness — and want more Houston leaders to join us

By Stephen Ives
Ives is president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Houston, which serves nearly 400,000 members and program participants annually across the region.

‘Just stuck out here’: Bus riders simmer under sun in Houston’s hottest neighborhoods

On a recent Friday, James Snyder baked under the morning sun in Gulfton while waiting for a Metro bus to his dogwalking job.

Texas community college bachelor's degree programs are booming. Why aren’t more students enrolling?

Texas community colleges are rapidly adding bachelor’s degree programs, aiming to help workers and businesses fill high-demand, high-paying jobs.

Texas’ urban counties invest billions in medical safety nets. Their suburban neighbors don’t.

In Harris County, residents with modest or no health insurance have a strong medical safety net. The county’s hospital district, Harris Health System, operates two trauma centers, 16 community health centers and several specialty care locations — all of which provide services at little to no cost.

How Houstonians still fall short in preparing for natural disasters

Harris County residents have weathered their share of natural disasters, but some still could improve their storm-prep game.

Do Houston residents support mass deportation? Here’s what 9,800 of them said

On immigration, a strong majority of Houstonians agree: Increase pathways to citizenship, stop mass deportation, let “Dreamers” stay, and finally fix a broken system.