Issues

The End of Parking; Houston's Oil Slump; And the Dirt on Tiny Homes: Urban Insights From Around The Web

Highlighting the week’s interesting, important and downright weird news about cities.

Cities are Finding Creative Ways to Boost Residents’ Financial Wherewithal

Dozens of cities across the country are taking a more active in role in figuring out how to support the financial stability of their residents.

In Houston, A Life of Contradiction Faces Migrants

In Harris County, Texas, immigrants confront the contradictions of living at the epicenter of debate.

It Can Be Almost Impossible to Find Housing When You're Poor

New maps show that in Houston and other cities, affordable homes are concentrated in "low opportunity" areas.

To Capitalize On Astrodome, Houston Should Consider Embracing "Ruin Porn"

Houston lacks a single iconic attraction. The Astrodome — warts and all — could be it.

Chart of the Week: What You Need to Earn to Buy a Home in These Sun Belt Cities

The eye-popping expense of housing in older, compact cities like New York and Washington, D.C. has been a popular topic of discussion. But for buyers, things aren’t so great in sprawling Sun Belt cities either.

Chart of the Week: The Most and Least Affordable Sun Belt Cities

In its latest annual report on the state of the nation’s housing, Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies (JCHS) found a record number of Americans are facing strained budgets due to the cost of housing.

This is America: What the Debate Over Syrian Refugees Means for Those in Houston

Rejection of refugees and threats about funding confound an already desperate situation.

The Texas Medical Center has ambitious plans for a new Houston campus

Historically, the nonprofit Texas Medical Center has existed to coordinate infrastructure issues among its members. A proposed project shows just how ambitious the TMC has become.

What Happens To Kids As They Start To Lose Access To Food

Interpersonal skills and self-control suffer when students face food insecurity.

How Immigrant Activist Groups in Houston Fight for a More Equal City

Research notes the ways both documented and undocumented immigrants work together on healthcare, labor and criminal justice issues.

I Was a Teacher. I’m Worried My Daughter Will Follow in My Footsteps.

I fear she – like many other teachers – will be scapegoated as the reason public education is failing.

What We Mean When We Talk About Immigrant “Integration”

Even when communities embrace foreigners, integration can be fraught with hurdles.

When Faced With Poor Neighborhoods, Planners Often Struggle With Solutions

Investments in development and transportation don’t solve the fundamental problem of how to put more money in residents’ wallets.

Jim Sallis Explains the Importance of Healthy Communities (And How We Can Get Them)

Active living expert James Sallis weighs in on the call to action.