Research
Harris County Winter Storm Uri Resilience Assessment
This report provides a geographic analysis of damage caused by Winter Storm Uri and highlights the unmet needs it uncovered. This assessment also analyzed damages from COVID-19 and Hurricane Harvey to better understand how these crises compound on different communities and to identify where recovery efforts might make the biggest impact.
COVID-19 Pandemic in the Houston Region (Parts 1-3)
This three-report series focuses on the impact of the pandemic on families's well-being, employment, education and more.
A Bottom-Up Infrastructure Strategy for American Renewal
This report identifies infrastructure priorities identified by local and regional leaders around the nation. Conclusions provide an important set of guideposts about priorities the new administration should take into account in crafting a national infrastructure strategy.
This report examines the revenue structure and service levels for Texas' three largest cities: Houston, San Antonio and Dallas.
Urban Edge
Houstonians have put aside concerns about public health as pandemic recedes from view
On May 11, 2021, Rice University’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research released the results of the 40th annual Houston Area Survey. Among the findings: 22% of respondents – a far higher share than in any previous survey – rated “public health” as the “biggest problem facing people in the Houston area today.”
In Houston, since the pandemic recovery began, office workers have been quick to return to their desks and cubicles, commuting back to their physical offices, even if for just part of the week.
Houston’s restaurants, not oil and gas, offer a strong signal of the city’s economic recovery
Following a tumultuous span of more than two years since the pandemic’s onset in Houston, employment has shown strong signs of recovery, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. In fact, it was on track to grow jobs back to pre-pandemic projections by the end of 2022.
Houston and Harris County's rent relief partnership made a difference. It just didn't last.
When officials at Harris County got word that the Treasury Department was appropriating a historic amount of funding for states and local governments to help struggling renters during the pandemic, Leah Barton picked up the phone and called her counterpart at the city of Houston.
The United States of America leads all high-income nations in COVID-19 deaths, even though as a nation it had the greatest access to antiviral vaccines and therapeutics. To understand this disconnect, we can look to the COVID-19 deaths and disability in the state of Texas. Because of COVID-19, Texas is enduring one of the greatest human tragedies in its 186-year history. It did not have to be this way.
Events
Webinar: 2022 State of Housing in Harris County and Houston
The Kinder Institute for Urban Research shares findings from the third State of Housing in Harris County and Houston report.
Kinder Institute Forum: Richard Florida
Leading urbanist Richard Florida discusses the effect COVID-19 and its related economic, fiscal, social and political fallout have had on cities. He also outlines how post-pandemic, cities can rebuild to be more resilient and equitable.
Physical Address
Rice University
Kraft Hall
6100 Main Street, Suite 305
Houston, TX 77005-1892