The 42nd Kinder Houston Area Survey provides a glimpse into how Houstonians are thinking about the critical challenges and issues facing their communities. Houston’s collective optimism shows signs of fading, dropping to some of the lowest levels recorded since the survey began in 1982. Half of Houstonians cited either the cost of housing or the economy as the biggest problem facing the area, despite the fact that jobs have rebounded since the pandemic. Respondents remain overwhelmingly supportive of more interventions to help people experiencing poverty. The survey also measured respondents' views on quality-of-life issues such as walkability, public transportation, environmental protection and safety.
Kinder Houston Area Survey: 2023 Results
The 42nd Kinder Houston Area Survey provides a glimpse into how Houstonians are thinking about the economy, affordable housing, inequality, and other critical challenges and issues facing their communities.
With economic concerns rising, Houstonians want more done to address the gap between rich and poor
As economic aftershocks from the COVID-19 pandemic linger, Houstonians have a dimmer view of their prospects, according to the 42nd annual Kinder Houston Area Survey. With inflation and housing costs reaching record highs—and a potential recession on the horizon—optimism among survey respondents was at one of its lowest levels in nearly three decades. More than ever before, Houston residents are also in alignment that more must be done to close income gaps.
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.”
Physical activity is a magic bullet for our health. So what’s holding us back?
Regular physical activity may be the closest thing we have to a “magic bullet” to combat the obesity epidemic and alarmingly high rates of cardiovascular disease. Physical activity offers dramatic benefits for individuals but it also has the potential to knit together the social fabric of our communities, making us healthier physically and mentally. And it is free. So, what’s holding us back? As it turns out, something as easy as a safe walk around the neighborhood is out of reach for too many communities.