Hurricane Harvey

Housing vouchers work but more funding is needed to help more families

Research shows housing vouchers lead to improvements for families — children, in particular. Unfortunately, for many in Houston, limits on the program are blocking their access to those opportunities.

Greens Bayou resiliency plans tie engagement and technical expertise together

Public engagement and sharing information with members of a community help as critical steps of any planning effort or public project. Too often, though, that engagement asks residents to communicate with professionals or experts about subjects they are not adept in. When discussing a technical topic such as flood control or transportation planning, residents can get lost in a sea of acronyms or complicated renderings. Finding ways to offer residents meaningful information that they can digest and use to shape their opinions is essential to making engagement meaningful.

Greens Bayou Watershed analysis reveals strategies to increase resiliency from flooding

More than two years ago, Hurricane Harvey made landfall and slowly circled around the greater Houston area for five days. The storm resulted in the largest amount of rainfall ever recorded in the United States. While for many it took only a short time to return to normal, for others the tragedy continues to unfold behind the closed doors of flooded homes. Harvey, followed by Imelda, is evidence of a new climate normal.

Galveston Bay Park Plan is only one way to protect Houston from flooding

A Q&A with Jim Blackburn, the co-director and primary spokesperson for Rice's SSPEED Center, reveals the importance of various flood protection systems.

Long overlooked, Pleasantville hopes big grant, partnership means big change

In the Ship Channel's shadow, the small community was selected to be part of a Gulf Coast collaboration fighting health inequities.