Insights

Abandoned properties are making Houston hotter. Could these changes turn down the heat?

Texas’ fastest-growing path to ‘college readiness’ leaves many high schoolers unprepared

College prep courses are booming in high schools, but mounting evidence shows they’re not equipping students for success.

How can Houston help more locals climb the income ladder? 3 economic mobility experts offer their take.

The region's first Economic Mobility Summit spurred conversation and ideas for helping more Houstonians improve their long-term earnings outlook.

Houston reports fewest available beds in 20-plus years as unsheltered homelessness rises

What’s Texas State Technical College? A look at the school behind Proposition 1 on voters’ ballots.

Harris County flood resilience plan aims to ready residents, businesses for next big storm

A key federal report on food insecurity is ending. How local data can fill the gap.

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

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

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

Local volunteers in Settegast, home to roughly 4,400 people, are taking it upon themselves to carry out a detailed community action plan.

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

Harris County residents routinely wait for buses under the scorching sun with no shelter, a burden that impacts health and habits, according to Kinder Institute research.

In Harris County’s most food-insecure area, a nonprofit leader offers a recipe for tackling hunger

When northern Harris County residents ask Northwest Assistance Ministries for help with their basic needs, one request emerges the most: food.

Federal disaster aid is coming to Houston. Why most property owners will get left out.

Help could soon arrive for Houstonians with property damaged in last year’s two major storms — though not enough to cover even half of the still-needed repairs.

‘Clear need to ramp up’: How Houston can better prepare for the AI boom

To become an AI machine, Houston still has some learning to do.

Houston draws talent, but how can it grow more of its own?

Greater Houston’s ever-expanding economic opportunities continue to draw thousands of out-of-towners into the area — with big investments by Apple, Nvidia and Tesla still in the pipeline.

Bureaucracy, stigma keep public assistance out of reach for thousands of Houstonians

Harris County residents miss out on nearly $1 billion in unclaimed government assistance every year, according to an estimate by Connective, a Houston-based nonprofit that is trying to address the problem even as federal efforts could erode these resources.