Urban Edge

Sharp insights. Smart solutions. Better cities.

With 1 million trees planted, Houston nonprofit charts expansion to combat canopy loss

Trees For Houston celebrated its 1 millionth tree planted last week, a milestone for the four-decade old nonprofit. Now, it’s charting a path to the next million — and in much less time.

‘Set up for failure’: Houston residents take expensive payday loans at sky-high rates, survey finds

Houstonians rely on payday loans at significantly higher rates than most Americans — and paying an exceptionally high price for them.

Texas school vouchers promise choice. Geography may influence who has options in Houston.

While some Houston families live near private schools accepting vouchers, others reside miles from the nearest campus.

Left in the cold: These Houston residents report lack of safe, reliable heating in winter

Early results from a Kinder Institute survey show 12% of Harris County residents don’t have safe, reliable heat at home.

Building coalitions, bridging parties, hitting local issues: How 3 Asian elected officials rose to power in Houston

In the three decades since Martha Wong’s trailblazing ascent to a Houston City Council seat, Houston-area Asian leaders have steadily gained representation in the local political arena.

Are corporate buyers hogging single-family homes in Harris County? Here’s what the data shows.

A Kinder Institute analysis shows nine large companies own about 1% of single-family homes in Harris County.

Uncertified teacher hiring soared in Texas schools after the pandemic. Now, it’s slowing down.

A rapid rise in Texas public schools hiring uncertified teachers slowed in 2024-25, though it remains triple pre-pandemic rates, state data shows.

Houston’s Asian population has blossomed for decades. These maps and charts document its rise.

Asian residents now account for nearly 10% of the local population, driven by a multiethnic embrace of the region.

How new Houston Parks Board CEO Justin Schultz envisions transforming the region’s green spaces

Executing major ongoing projects and improving funding for green spaces are top priorities for the nonprofit's new leader.

School vouchers, slowing growth and food insecurity: What Kinder Institute researchers are watching in Houston in 2026

The new year will bring big changes to key education, health and housing policies that shape the city.