Where we Live
Where We
Live
This report is presented as a resource document for the Imagine Houston process. Its contents are the result of almost a year of public discussion and represent the consensus of the focus group volunteers. While the Planning & Development Department provided support to the process, it did not screen, edit or modify anything contained herein.
March, 1995
Dear Fellow Houstonian:
The Where We Live Focus Group assumed the charge of envisioning Houston’s housing stock and neighborhoods in the best of all possible worlds 30 years from now. Our Action Plans propose processes and mechanisms which would empower Houstonians to produce and preserve such a city. We ask you to join us in making this happen.
Our first task was to enunciate a vision for the housing and neighborhoods of Houston in the year 2025. In this picture, houses overlook narrow sidewalks on tree-lined streets. Neighborhood businesses can respond to most daily needs, so we both shop and work near our homes. This results in a great “peopling” of the streets, making them not only safe but interesting arenas for all sorts of activity and entertainment, such as those provided by the traditional plazas of older cities. In fact, the theme of our vision, starting with the creation and preservation of safe, desirable, self-governed neighborhoods within the economic reach of all our citizens, is our strong belief that it is time for Houston to physically assume the proper urban sophistication of its age and place, people and history, as one of the great cities of the world.
The Where We Live Focus Group imagines a city able to provide housing for all its citizens--from minimum wage earners to directors of multi-national corporations. We see housing stock being provided by two sources: a non-profit sector of civic organizations, Community Development Corporations (CDC’s), and neighborhood groups on the one hand and, on the other, private developers and architects. We envision small community-based developers joining with CDCs, local governmental agencies, and grassroots residents’ and civic groups to rebuild and restore the neighborhoods of Houston.
We learned that a focus on providing housing augments that of protecting our neighborhoods’ authentic heritages. The coupling of these two efforts formed the central dialogue which pushed our ideas from vision to action. Indeed, the balancing of development and redevelopment with neighborhood protection and preservation has become the guiding principle of the Where We Live Focus Group. We understand that cities change as they grow. It is in how this change is woven into the fabric of neighborhoods without ripping them apart which will command all the energy and good will of everyone involved. As the first lengthy phase of the Imagine Houston process, the visioning part, successfully concludes, we who have taken the lead so far now look to our public representatives to join with us in producing and preserving the city that we envision.
We are suggesting that it might be constructive to see the issues presented by the Where We Live Focus Group as the basis for the entire process of building the city of our dreams. We hope we have given you a base to continue the process. What we have described here requires commitment and a great deal of cooperation on all our parts. But none of what we imagined falls out of the realm of possibility. Because we have imagined it, we can achieve it.
Very truly yours,
The Where We Live Focus Group
Table of Contents
iii Preface
1 Section 1: Introduction
7 Section 2: Goals and Actions
17 Appendix A:
Index of Actions
19 Appendix B:
Bibliography
23 Appendix C:
Housing Assistance Needs of Low and Moderate Income Households
25 Appendix D:
Selected Ordinances Relevant to Where We Live
27 Appendix E:
Acknowledgements
In March of 1994, Houstonians seized an opportunity created by Mayor Bob Lanier to help determine the future of our community. Over one thousand people participated in a three-day Imagine Houston forum, during which they identified the issues facing Houston and set the agenda for future discussions.
Imagine Houston is a community-wide visioning process designed to bring people together to share information, learn about each other’s viewpoints and to develop a consensus on the issues, goals and opportunities that will shape Houston’s future. It will result in a plan that public, private and not-for-profit organizations can use as guidance on how to structure programs, services and financing to the betterment of our community.
After the March forum, working groups called focus groups, were formed to deal with specific topics:
♦ Community Safety
♦ Fostering Our Cultural Resources
♦ In Service to the Public
♦ Learning For Life
♦ Minding Our Natural Resources
♦ Taking Care of Ourselves
♦ Where We Live
♦ Where We Meet
♦ Where We Work
An additional group, the Youth Focus Group, was subsequently created to obtain ideas from Houston’s young people on the issues facing them.
Membership in the focus groups was open at all times to anyone; nearly one thousand Houstonians participated in discussions from March to December. The work completed by the focus groups is the result of those public discussions. Each group developed a vision statement and a list of goals and actions that can be taken to achieve the goals.
While each focus group concentrated on its respective topic, certain themes emerged as constants throughout the reports. They include:
♦ economic competitiveness... with other cities throughout the world, internationalism, job growth and training, economic opportunity for all residents;
♦ education... youth, education, preparing the leaders to lead, ensuring our future by ensuring theirs;
♦ community building... self-defined “urban villages”, the idea of belonging to a community, personal responsibility;
♦ urban and natural resources... space and place, physical elements blending with the natural environment, a livable community;
♦ celebrating diversity... through public art, cultural and educational training, and through equal access for all.
Imagine Houston does not stop here. These ten reports form the foundation for the work of the Imagine Houston Steering Committee in creating a vision plan for Houston. The Steering Committee consists of members appointed by Mayor Lanier, a representative of each Council Member and a representative from each focus group. The Committee recognizes the importance of continued public dialogue. When complete in Spring 1995, this Plan should serve for the next 20 to 30 years as the basis for actions by every segment of our community including individuals and public and private-sector organizations.
Imagine Houston is an extraordinary exercise in grass roots democracy. The committed citizens who participated have given our community insightful ideas to lead Houston into the next century. We are grateful for their efforts. We are hopeful about our future.
Vision Statement
Houston is a city of self-determined and self-governed neighborhoods where all stakeholders live, work, and play in community.
Executive Summary
The Where We Live Focus Group dealt with three major issues: Neighborhood Protection, Affordable Housing, and Neighborhood Revitalization. The themes below struck a chord among all members of the focus group, whether they participated as concerned residents of Houston, representatives of organizations, or professionals.
Themes
Establishing and enforcing standards in deed and non-deed restricted neighborhoods
Adherence to standards - accepted minimum levels of adequacy for infrastructure, housing stock, safety, and cleanliness - preserves the integrity of neighborhoods. The process of enforcing standards empowers the community to actualize its own collective concept of neighborhood, which in turn fosters community ownership.
Neighborhood Districts
Individual neighborhoods could extend their area of impact by forming a grassroots organization with those communities sharing common interests to create a “neighborhood district.” This urban village concept would connect neighborhoods, providing a sense of balance in the use of land as well as a sense of unity and community among the many diverse neighborhoods which make up a common area of interest.
Education (“How to” Manual)
Often, citizens individually or communities collectively want to take proactive measures for positive change in their community but lack the information to proceed. An obstacle course of bureaucratic red tape frequently stands in the way of community action. User-friendly, comprehensive resources, such as a “How-to Manual,” would provide a catalogue of services that are available, how to take advantage of them (contacts, application forms, innovative programs), and standards that steer neighborhood action.
Regional One-Stop Center
A localized center should be established to obtain information on issues dealing with development and redevelopment; Federal funding for housing activities and how to apply; help with writing proposals, pro formas, etc.; information regarding existing infrastructure; etc. Information on the City of Houston, Harris County, other municipalities, METRO, utility companies, etc. would be available. Information would be available on a geographic information system (GIS) also. In the future, citizens could access this information through computers at local libraries and other government offices.
Universal Housing Policy
The City of Houston needs a universal housing policy adopted by the City Council to direct the allocation of funding. All projects would be considered in light of the policy to determine consistency. City departments would have a clear statement to adhere to when developing programs and projects.
Interagency Coordination
There is a need for all government and quasi-government agencies to communicate on housing, neighborhood development, and redevelopment issues. This communication would provide a forum for agencies to talk to each other and work together to ensure an effective and efficient process for the above issues. The communication needs to be regular and ongoing. The applicable agencies need to commit to changing if necessary.
Integrate land uses in neighborhoods
Neighborhoods need to be encouraged to allow for integrated land uses. This includes all types of housing for all economic levels. We call this a “continuum of housing.” Services that support the neighborhood should be readily accessible.
Topics of Debate
As the common themes bound the Where We Live discussion, four salient points of contention arose when discussing the above themes: 1) the role of government; 2) how to define “neighborhood;” 3) how to define and quantify “affordable housing;” and 4) the homeless issue.
Lively debate arose on the role of government and determining what constitutes a “neighborhood.” focus group members agreed that a community’s concept of what it is should be self-defined and that such discussions of forming neighborhood communities of interest, boundaries and actions need to occur on the local level. The City acts as facilitator and educator. Yet, some participants believed that poor, politically disenfranchised communities would benefit from City leadership in forming coalitions than merely educating residents on programs or reacting to resident desires.
A third point of debate concerned “affordable housing.” The focus group felt no community consensus on what is “affordable housing” has yet been reached either through the Imagine Houston process or otherwise. Although advocate groups or the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) have an income definition of “affordable housing,” some neighborhood stakeholders frame such discussions as “single family homeowners versus. apartment renters.” A community-wide discussion on how to define “affordable housing” and quantifying its shortage along a commonly understood definition would help build bridges among many neighborhood stakeholders.
Fourth, the homeless issue and how Where We Live could address the problems of the homeless became a major concern after the Electronic Townhall Meeting (ETM). Community feedback from the ETM clearly stated that Where We Live was not giving just attention to the homeless issue. Although the focus group adopted language to address some aspects of such a daunting, multifaceted problem, the Group realized that the issue of homelessness was too complex and multidisciplinary to be addressed by one focus group.
Recommendations
From these topics of debate, the focus froup makes the following recommendations:
1. The Steering Committee should address the problems of the homeless in a fashion appropriate to the interdisciplinary and complex nature of the problem and work closely with organizations already addressing the homeless crisis.
2. To facilitate the dialogue that must occur among all stakeholders to revitalize, develop and preserve the integrity of the neighborhood fabric (however defined), the City should help its citizens develop a common vocabulary and structure so that discussion on the above themes can begin.
3. All agencies, especially those specifically identified in the Action Plan, should begin implementing the Action Plan as thoroughly, thoughtfully, and efficiently as possible.
Background
The development of the Where We Live strategic plan spanned ten months (see Figure 1: Meeting Schedule).
Methodology: Vision & Goals (March - August)
“Where We Live” brings to mind an array of images: neighborhoods, housing of all types, safety, a sense of belonging and community, institutions that anchor our sense of place in that community, businesses that support the community, etc. The subjectivity of the term “Where We Live” compelled the group to view the topic from three specific perspectives: Affordable Housing, Neighborhood Protection, and Neighborhood Revitalization. During the March and April meetings, the focus group developed a work plan and focus by: 1) brainstorming goals for the group; 2) grouping the goals into common themes; and 3) ranking the themes according to importance.
Each Subcommittee developed its own Vision Statement and Goals and, during the July 26 focus group meeting, agreed on a joint Vision statement: Houston is a city of self-determined and self-governed neighborhoods where all stakeholders live, work and play in community. To better understand the work and intent of the Subcommittees, the group presented all of this and a neighborhood definition to the Steering Committee and the public in forums held in August and September (see Figure 2: Where We Live: March - August).
Commonality: Action Planning (September - December)
All three subcommittees spoke common themes integrating the work into a comprehensive strategic plan. The common themes - civic empowerment, sense of community, and preservation - presented in the Vision and Neighborhood Definition acted as common threads running through the Subcommittees’ later work to be woven into a unified Action Plan.
The Action Items independently developed by each of the three Subcommittees give testimony and credence to the common themes. For example, the Neighborhood Revitalization Subcommittee recommended a new goal - creating a one-stop center for development (an action item discussed by the Affordable Housing Subcommittee). The Revitalization group also identified the need for neighborhoods to define themselves and form action groups, the identical themes discussed throughout the Neighborhood Protection Subcommittee as seen in the goal, “The City shall create a neighborhood-based process....”
Through the efforts of the Steering Committee and feedback from the community, the work of the focus group was validated and fine-tuned. The Subcommittees addressed the omissions identified during the Electronic Town Hall Meeting (September 13, 1994). From September through October, the Subcommittees met to hammer out the Action Plans. The Action Plans were discussed at length, revised and prioritized during the focus group meetings held on October 25 and November 15. The next section gives the results of those meetings - the Action Plan of the Where We Live Focus Group. The outcome of group discussion between September and December is illustrated in Figure 3: Where We Live: September - December.
Figure 1: Meeting Schedule
| |Affordable |Neighborhood Protection |Neighborhood Revitalization |
| |Housing | | |
|March | | | |
| Focus Group -3/28 |X |X |X |
|GRB Convention Ctr. | | | |
|Interim |None |None |None |
|April | | | |
| Focus Group -4/26 |X |X |X |
|First United Methodist | | | |
|Interim |None |None |None |
|May | | | |
| Focus Group -5/24 |X |X |X |
|H.S. for Law Enforcement & Criminal | | | |
|Justice | | | |
|Interim |5/12 -West End MSC |5/10 -1801 Main St. |None |
| |6:30 - 8:00pm |6:00 - 8:00 pm | |
|June | | | |
| Focus Group -6/28 |X |X |X |
|H.S. for Law Enforcement | | | |
|Interim |6/9 West End MSC |6/16 1801 Main St. |None |
| |6:30 - 8:00pm |6:30 - 8:30pm | |
|July | | | |
| Focus Group -7/26 |X |X |X |
|Mount Carmel H.S. | | | |
|Interim |7/21 West End MSC |7/18 1801 Main St. |None |
| |6:30 - 8:00pm |6:00 - 8:00pm | |
|August | | | |
| Focus Group -8/23 |Joint Meeting with Steering |Joint Meeting with Steering |Joint Meeting with Steering |
|Barbara Jordan H.S. for Careers |Committee |Committee |Committee |
|Interim |None |None |None |
|September | | | |
| Focus Group -9/27 |X |X |X |
|Memorial H.S. | | | |
|Interim |None |None |None |
|October | | | |
| Focus Group 10/25 |X |X |X |
|Austin H.S. | | | |
|Interim |10/13 West End MSC |10/11 HGAC |None |
| |6:00 - 8:00pm |6:00 - 8:00pm | |
|November | | | |
| Focus Group -11/15 H.S. For Law|X |X |X |
|Enforcement & Criminal Justice | | | |
|Interim |11/3 West End MSC |None |None |
| |6:00 - 8:00pm | | |
Note: An “X” denotes that the Subcommittee met during the monthly Focus Group Meeting.
Figure 2: March - August
Vision Statement: Houston is a city of self-determined and self-governed neighborhoods where all stakeholders live, work, and play in community.
Neighborhood Definition: Houston is a city of safe, pleasant,and diverse neighborhoods with these aspects: a postive sense of place that nurtures family, civic, and economic life with access to cultural resources and the natural environment.
Neighborhood Protection
Vision Statement:
A city of neighborhoods that are empowered and enabled to protect and improve their quality of life.
Goals:
Create a neighborhood-based process to establish, update and enforce neighborhood standards
People assume the responsibility for the future of their neighborhood
Issues:
land use regulation without zoning
enhance/enforce codes
community safety
empowering neighborhoods
Affordable Housing
Vision Statement:
Promote a continuum of diversified, safe, and sanitary housing choices so all Houstonians can access appropriate housing.
Goals:
Occupants/owners maintain and manage housing stock
Develop reinvestment and new construction incentives
Develop a one-stop center for city and agency programs
Issues:
education (upkeep and benefits of ownership)
absentee landlords
providing adequate housing for low/moderate income & homeless
Neighborhood Revitalization
Vision Statement:
Create a framework for all stakeholders in neighborhoods to govern its development, or growth.
Goals:
Establish tools to improve opportunities for stakeholders to organize
Visually define neighborhoods with signage
Neighborhoods should define itself in relation to the city
Issues:
maintaining & rehabilitating housing stock
historic preservation
promoting reinvestment in neighborhoods
empowerment
This illustration was presented to the Steering Committee and focus groups on August 23, 1994.
Figure 3: September - December
Vision Statement: Houston is a city of self-determined and self-governed neighborhoods where all stakeholders live, work, and play in community.
Neighborhood Protection
Goal:
The City shall create a neighborhood-based process to establish, update and enforce neighborhood standards.
Actions:
♦ Establish standards
♦ Update standards
♦ Enforce standards
Affordable Housing
Goal:
Develop a one-stop center for redevelopment that the city and other agencies administer to encourage the redevelopment of neighborhoods and housing stock.
Actions:
Interagency coordination
One-stop redevelopment center
Goal:
Responsible and appropriate maintenance and management by occupants and owners of the housing stock of Houston.
Actions:
Tax abatement
Educational aspect
Definitions of maintenance
Goal:
Develop incentives for new housing to be built of long-lasting quality materials that are appropriate for Houston’s climate.
Actions:
Manufactured housing
♦ Guidelines
Goal:
Allow neighborhoods to determine a diversified integration of land uses.
Action:
Notification process
Goal:
Encourage housing that is affordable to all, safe and sanitary and that addresses the needs of families and individuals, the young and the old, the able and the differently abled, and the empowered and the disenfranchised.
Actions:
Universal housing policy
Direct resources
Creative coalitions
Neighborhood Revitalization
Goal:
Establish tools to improve opportunities for stakeholders to organize (into action groups).
Actions:
Self-help manual (see Neighborhood Protection Goal “Create a neighborhood-based process...”)
Incentives to organize (see Neighborhood Protection Goal “Create a neighborhood-based process...”)
Goal:
Create a one stop center for redevelopment.
Action:
see Affordable Housing Action “One-Stop redevelopment center.”
Goal:
Neighborhoods should define themselves.
Actions:
see Neighborhood Protection Goal “Create a neighborhood-based process....”
Goal:
The City shall create a neighborhood-based process to establish, update and enforce neighborhood standards.
Action 1: Establish Standards
The City shall create a process to assist neighborhoods in establishing standards as defined by neighborhood consensus.
Phasing: Step 1: The City shall compile and complete a user-friendly “how to’ resource manual that informs neighborhood residents of the comprehensive explanation of the standards for neighborhoods as well as other information pertinent to the organization of neighborhoods for establishing, updating and enforcing standards. The information shall make clear and understandable the existing standards that all city neighborhoods must obtain in order to be in compliance with codes, regulations and standards. Standards include but are not limited to the following:
♦ Comprehensive Urban Rehabilitation and Building Minimum Standards (CURB) Ordinance
♦ Signage Control
♦ Other protection or development ordinances
♦ Criteria for deed restriction enforcement
Step 2: This manual will detail standards (or mechanisms) available to neighborhoods who wish to set standards set by Federal, State or City code or standard practice. This would include explaining opportunities such as tax increment financing, public improvement districts, forming local government corporations, etc. and how to take advantage of those tools.
Step 3: Where possible, the City shall make standards measurable and make surveys that identify neighborhood needs and concerns.
Priority: 1
Who: City of Houston Planning & Development Department, City Council Members, Neighborhood Stakeholders.
Funding: Existing
Remarks: In order to create a “neighborhood based” process, the group determined a “self help” manual created by the City would inform and educate individuals and organizations of what standards are, how to establish standards, how to organize, what ordinances were applicable, and what resources (people and money) are available to assist them. The City should take a proactive role in this process by making standards measurable, doing surveys and communicating with individuals and organizations routinely to identify needs and concerns.
Action 2: Update Standards
The City shall create a process to assist neighborhoods in updating standards.
Phasing: Step 1: The City shall tap into research institutes, planning agencies and to other organizations to present and make available to the public other items which would expand the list of resources and mechanisms for neighborhood improvements.
Step 2: To level the playing field, the City shall allocate resources (local and Federal funding, technical assistance, etc.) based on a neighborhood’s ability to take advantage of all items in the menu. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
♦ Giving neighborhoods facing limited resources highest priority with regards to funding in order to bring those neighborhoods up to existing standards, exceeding those standards, or actualizing possible but not yet feasible neighborhood enhancement mechanisms.
♦ Providing hardship neighborhoods technical assistance.
♦ Providing other incentive mechanisms to level the playing field.
Step 3: The City shall provide continued action, information and support for neighborhoods. For example, the City shall hold periodic community meetings to gather information on neighborhood needs and, in turn, give updated information on services and resources available to neighborhoods; update the “how to”/resource manual for neighborhood protection; availability of the manual and seminars on its use; and educate the public on the community meetings.
Priority: 4
Who: City of Houston Planning & Development Department, City Council, City Legal Department, Neighborhood Stakeholders.
Funding: Existing
Remarks: Critical to the process was the City’s role in keeping informed of what other agencies and organizations are doing, determining which neighborhoods were most in need to bring up to existing minimum standards, what funds are available to assist those neighborhoods, updating the manual and providing ongoing public meetings to educate and inform.
Action 3: Enforce Standards
The City shall create a process to assist and to enable neighborhoods to enforce standards.
Phasing: Step 1: The City shall take the necessary steps to allow neighborhoods that share common boundaries as well as retail, cultural, educational interest to group together under one legal umbrella organization called “neighborhood districts” or “local government corporations” in order to optimize efforts and resources in establishing, updating and enforcing standards.
Step 2: The City shall take steps necessary to give neighborhoods with a consensus the power to restrict land use as deemed appropriate to maintain the standards established by that neighborhood.
Step 3: The City shall compile a complete and user-friendly “how to” resource manual (same as Action 1) that informs neighborhood residents of the services and resources available for neighborhood protection, how to take advantage of those services, available assistance and resources to do so. Services and resources include, but are not limited to, the following:
♦ Outline of mechanisms, pros and cons, constraints as well as solutions to enforce standards
♦ Steps to establish local government corporations
♦ Steps to establish neighborhood districts
♦ Steps to establish public improvement district’s guidelines for neighborhoods to set standards
♦ Tax increment financing
♦ Comprehensive Urban Rehabilitation and Building Minimum Standards (CURB) Ordinance
♦ Signage Control
♦ Other protection or development ordinances
♦ Set back requirements
♦ Criteria for deed enforcement
Step 4: The City shall offer services that encourage, but not dictate, neighborhood cohesion and empowerment, that includes, but is not limited to, the following:
♦ Proactive education seminars (providing and explaining the manual)
♦ Proactive marketing of city-available resources/services available to help neighborhoods find consensus and plan.
♦ Extensive notification of education seminars, etc.
Step 5: The City shall create incentive mechanisms for neighborhoods that lack monetary resources to take advantage of the full range of services available.
Priority: 2
Who: City of Houston Planning & Development and Legal Departments, City Council, Neighborhood Stakeholders.
Funding: Existing
Remarks: The most exciting concept to come out of this process is Neighborhood Districts (also known as Local Government Corporations or Urban Villages). By joining with adjacent neighborhoods, individuals would have a broader view of the community in which they live. It would provide a sense of balance in the use of land for housing, businesses, cultural, etc., as well as providing individuals with a sense of unity in a city of 594 square miles. NOTE: Although the Neighborhood District concept is listed under this action item, it is a concept that would enable neighborhoods to establish, update and enforce standards by optimizing efforts and resources. Since enforcing standards became a primary goal, this concept seems to reinforce the need for cohesion within the community in order to achieve that end.
Goal:
Develop a one-stop center for redevelopment that the city and other agencies administer to encourage the redevelopment of neighborhoods and housing stock.
Action 1: Interagency Coordination
Regular, ongoing meetings of staff from various governmental and quasi-governmental agencies that influence the redevelopment of neighborhoods and housing stock. Information from the meetings would be given to the One-Stop Redevelopment Center.
Phasing: Step 1: Begin regular meetings immediately
Step 2: Begin database of information including a mapping portion (GIS- Geographical Information System)
Step 3: Keep database current; continue meeting
Priority: 6
Who: City of Houston departments, Harris County departments/agencies, other government agencies (METRO, Corps of Engineers, Harris County Appraisal District, Texas Alcohol & Beverage Commission, etc.), school districts, other municipalities
Funding: Existing funding (may have a small user fee for use of database to keep it operational)
Remarks: The intent of this action item is to facilitate interagency communication and coordination. In the development of this action item, it is the intention of the focus group to include “and development” each time “redevelopment” is cited.
Action 2: One-Stop Redevelopment Center
The One-Stop Redevelopment Center is a clearinghouse for information on redevelopment of neighborhoods and housing stock. Citizens, not-for-profit organizations, and for-profit organizations can receive information regarding redevelopment projects such as: how to write a grant proposal, available funding, requirements for funding, existing infrastructure surrounding a site, proposed projects (private and public), assistance in the permitting and review process, etc.
Phasing: Step 1: Begins after the 1st phase of the intergovernmental coordination; assign staff; determine location (City Hall or 1801 Main Street); assign phone number; City Council support and publicize
Step 2: Outreach to citizens, civic organizations, community development corporations (CDCs), etc. (may use a method similar to health screenings in a bus or van); begin database of information including a mapping portion (GIS- Geographical Information System)
Step 3: Keep database current; make database available on-line; packets available through computer access at libraries; evaluate and reevaluate the process
Priority: 3
Who: City of Houston departments, Harris County departments/agencies, other government agencies (METRO, Corps of Engineers, Harris County Appraisal District, Texas Alcohol & Beverage Commission, etc.), school districts, other municipalities
Funding: Federal funding; existing funding from agencies listed above; small user fee
Remarks: The intent of this action item is to have one point of contact between citizens and all the governing agencies which affect the redevelopment of an area. In the development of this action item, it is the intention of the focus group to include “and development” each time “redevelopment” is cited.
Goal:
Responsible and appropriate maintenance and management by occupants and owners of the housing stock of Houston.
Action 1: Tax Abatement
Tax abatement for redevelopment, rehabilitation and new construction of housing. Wood construction would receive a 3* year abatement and masonry construction would receive a 6* year abatement. (* numbers are suggested and are subject to research.) NOTE: historical structures as defined by the Historic Preservation Ordinance (95-228) have tax abatement privileges under a separate ordinance.
Phasing: Develop ordinances/policies for tax abatement
Priority: 7
Who: Taxing entities: City of Houston, Harris County, school districts, other municipalities
Funding: Existing funding
Remarks: The intent is to reduce the disincentive of higher taxes on improved residential property.
Action 2: Educational Aspect
1. Teach occupants and owners how to maintain and manage their property. Ways to distribute information: enclose in electric bill, require information dissemination at closings and leasings, include in high school curriculum.
2. Amend the Comprehensive Urban Rehabilitation and Building Minimum Standards CURB) Ordinance (to include giving educational material at the time of the first inspection, deliver information by certified mail to the owner and occupant, establish regular meetings to answer questions regarding maintenance.
Phasing: Develop information packet; amend Comprehensive Urban Rehabilitation and Building Minimum Standards Ordinance (CURB)
Priority: 10
Who: City of Houston Department of Public Works & Engineering and new One-Stop Center for Redevelopment (when established)
Funding: Existing funding
Remarks: The Neighborhood Protection Division (NPD) of the Department of Public Works and Engineering prepared an information packet that contains an overview of the various ordinances the Division enforces and standards and responsibilities associated with those ordinances. NPD widely distributes these packets, particularly at community events, such as civic organizations meetings, City Council Members’ Community Service meetings, trade shows, etc. NPD sends each notice of violation by certified mail to the owner(s) of the property. (In some cases they notify the occupants.) Instructions to correct the violation are delivered at the time of notice. The only instance in which there is an immediate hearing date set is in the case of a dangerous building. NPD is also working with an elementary school, a junior high school, and a high school to educate them on NPD activities. Each level has a different program.
The intention of the above listed action is to include a course on maintenance in the high school curricula. This enables more students to learn about proper maintenance and standards.
Action 3: Definitions of Maintenance
Objective, definable, and appropriate definitions and examples of maintenance and management.
Phasing: Prepare definitions from the Comprehensive Urban Rehabilitation and Building Minimum Standards Ordinance in a positive voice
Priority: 14
Who: City of Houston Department of Public Works and Engineering
Funding: Existing funding
Remarks: The Neighborhood Protection Division of the Department of Public Works and Engineering developed an information packet that gives the standards and responsibilities cited in the Comprehensive Urban Rehabilitation and Building Minimum Standards Ordinance in layman’s language.
Goal:
Develop incentives for new housing to be built of long lasting, quality materials that are more appropriate for Houston’s climate.
Action 1: Manufactured Housing
Encourage quality manufactured housing that is compatible with Houston’s climate.
Priority: 12
Who: City of Houston
Funding: Existing funding
Remarks: The focus group intentionally did not include mobile homes in this action item. The group only wanted manufactured housing included. Manufactured or modular housing means “a structure or building module that is manufactured at a location other than the location where it is installed and used as a residence by a consumer, transportable in one or more sections on a temporary chassis or other conveyance device, and designed to be used as a permanent dwelling when installed and placed upon a permanent foundation system.” (definition from City of Houston, Code of Ordinances, Chapter 10: Buildings and Neighborhood Protection, Article VI: Modular Housing.)
Action 2: Guidelines
Develop guidelines that describe and encourage materials that are appropriate for Houston’s climate. Have guidelines available at the One-Stop Redevelopment Center and various City departments.
Phasing: Develop guidelines
Priority: 13
Who: City of Houston Public Works & Engineering and Planning & Development Departments
Funding: Existing funding
Goal:
Allow neighborhoods to determine a diversified integration of land uses.
Action 1: Notification Process
Develop a process to provide neighborhoods (residents, businesses, homeowner associations, civic clubs, etc.) with notification of pending permits and applications for proposed land uses.
Phasing: Develop process
Priority: 8
Who: City of Houston Department of Public Works & Engineering and the Planning & Development Department, Legal Department, Police Department, civic associations, homeowner associations, tenant associations
Goal:
Encourage housing that is affordable to all, safe, and sanitary and that addresses the needs of families and individuals, the young and the old, the able and the differently abled, and the empowered and the disenfranchised. (NOTE: Affordable is defined as no more than 30 percent of the monthly income is paid on housing expenses including utilities.)
Action 1: Universal Housing Policy
Develop a universal housing policy, adopted by City Council, that is consistent with the Consolidated Plan and provides incentives to the private sector to participate in the provision of needed housing.
Phasing: Prepare Consolidated Plan; develop housing policy
Priority: 5
Who: City Council, City of Houston Housing & Community Development and Planning & Development Departments, Mayor’s Office, Housing Authority of the City of Houston, Consolidated Plan Task Force
Funding: Existing funding
Action 2: Direct Resources
Direct resources to fill needs identified in the Consolidated Plan’s Community Needs Assessment that have traditionally been underserved. Possible target areas include, but are not limited to: programs for the homeless, such as a pavilion and single room occupancy (SRO); single-family rehabilitation and new construction; multi-family rehabilitation, assistance, and new construction.
Phasing: Review Community Needs Assessment; develop priorities for service
Priority: 9
Who: City of Houston Housing & Community Development and Planning & Development Departments, Housing Authority of the City of Houston, City Consolidated Plan Task Force, community organizations (Community Development Corporations, civic clubs, historic preservation organizations, etc.), Houston Housing Finance Corporation, financial institutions, foundations
Funding: Existing funding
Action 3: Creative Coalitions
Develop creative coalitions of various entities to fund and deliver quality affordable housing with minimal displacement of current residents.
Phasing: Identify people willing to work together; form coalitions
Priority: 11
Who: City of Houston Housing & Community Development and Planning & Development Departments, Housing Authority of the City of Houston, City Consolidated Plan Task Force, community organizations (Community Development Corporations, civic clubs, historic preservation organizations, etc.), Houston Housing Finance Corporation, financial institutions, foundations, United Way, developers, Home Builders Association, Houston Apartment Association
Funding: Existing funding
Goal:
Establish tools to improve opportunities for stakeholders to organize (into action groups).
Action 1: Self-help Manual
Create a self-help manual for organizations.
See Goal: “Create a neighborhood-based process...,” Action 1 (all) and Action 3, Step 2.
Action 2: Incentives to Organize
Offer incentives for neighborhoods to organize.
See Goal: “Create a neighborhood-based process...,” Action 2 (all) and Action 3 (all).
Goal:
Establish a one-stop center for redevelopment.
Action 1: One-stop Center
Create a one-stop center for redevelopment.
See Goal: “Develop a one-stop center for redevelopment ...,” Action 2.
Goal:
Neighborhoods should define themselves.
See Goal: “Create a neighborhood-based process....”
|Page # |ACTION |PRIORITY |WHO |FUNDING |PHASING |
|Goal: Neighborhood-based process |
|7 |Establish standards |1st |City of Houston Planning & Development (P&D), City Council, |Existing* |1st - create “how to” resource manual |
| | | |Neighborhood Stakeholders | |2nd - outline standards in the manual |
| | | | | |3rd - quantify standards/make surveys |
|7 |Update standards |4th |City of Houston P&D, City Council, City of Houston Legal |Existing* |1st - compile/ coordinate resources |
| | | |Dept., Neighborhood Stakeholders | |2nd - City equalizes resource allocation |
| | | | | |3rd - continue City neighborhood support |
|8 |Enforce standards |2nd |City of Houston P&D, City Council, Neighborhood Stakeholders |Existing* |1st - create Neighborhood Dist. |
| | | | | |2nd - land use regs. |
| | | | | |3rd - resource manual |
| | | | | |4th - City proactive education/marketing |
| | | | | |5th - City incentives |
|Goal: One-stop center |
|9 |Interagency coordination |6th |City of Houston, Harris County, govt. agencies, school |Existing* |1st - begin meeting |
| | | |districts | |2nd - GIS |
| | | | | |3rd - keep database current |
|10 |One-stop redevelopment center |3rd |City of Houston, Harris County, govt. agencies, school |Existing* |1st - staff & location |
| | | |districts |Federal |2nd - outreach, database |
| | | | |User fee |3rd - keep database current, on-line, evaluate |
|Goal: Responsible & appropriate |
|10 |Tax abatement |7th |City of Houston, Harris County, school districts, other |Existing* |Develop ordinance/policies |
| | | |municipalities | | |
|10 |Educational aspect |10th |Public Works Dept., |Existing* |Develop info packet |
| | | |One-Stop Center | |Amend CURB Ordinance |
|11 |Definitions of maintenance |14th |Public Works Dept. |Existing* |Prepare definitions |
|Goal: Incentives for housing materials |
|11 |Manufactured housing |12th |City of Houston |Existing* | |
|12 |Guidelines |13th |Public Works, P&D |Existing* |Develop guidelines |
|Goal: Diversified land uses |
|12 |Notification process |8th |Public Works Dept., |Existing* |Develop process |
| | | |P&D, Legal Dept., Police Dept., civic assoc., homeowner | | |
| | | |assoc., tenant assoc. | | |
|Goal: Affordable, safe, sanitary housing |
|12 |Universal housing policy |5th |Mayor’s Office, City Council, Housing & Comm. Dev. Dept. |Existing* |Prepare Consolidated Plan |
| | | |(HCD), P&D, Housing Authority, Consolidated Plan Task Force | |Develop housing policy |
|12 |Direct resources |9th |HCD, P&D, Housing Authority, Consolidated Plan Task Force, |Existing* |Review Community Needs Assessment |
| | | |community organizations, HHFC, financial institutions, | |Develop priorities for service |
| | | |foundations | | |
|13 |Creative coalitions |11th |HCD, P&D, Housing Authority, Consolidated Plan Task Force, | | |
| | | |HHFC, developers, community organizations, ,financial | | |
| | | |institutions, foundations, United Way, Home Builders Assoc., | | |
| | | |Houston Apt. Assoc. | | |
|Goal: Opportunities to organize |
|13 |Self-help manual | | | | |
| |Duplicate action -- See Establish | | | | |
| |Standards on | | | | |
| |Page 7 and Enforce Standards on Page | | | | |
| |9 | | | | |
|13 |Incentives to organize | | | | |
| |Duplicate action -- See Update | | | | |
| |Standards on | | | | |
| |Page 8 and Enforce Standards on Page | | | | |
| |9 | | | | |
|Goal: One-Stop Center (NP) |
|13 |One-Stop Center (NP) | | | | |
| |Duplicate action -- See One-Stop | | | | |
| |Redevelopment Center on Page 11 | | | | |
|Goal: Neighborhoods define themselves |
|13 |See Goal: Create a | | | | |
| |neighborhood-based process on Pages | | | | |
| |7-10 | | | | |
*Existing funding means redirecting current resources in existing government or community agencies to accomplish these tasks.
Bivins, Ralph. Houston Chronicle. “Apartment building soars.” August 13, 1994, D1.
City of Houston. Code of Ordinances. Chapter 29: Mobile Homes and Recreational Vehicles. Houston, TX. 1994.
City of Houston. Code of Ordinances. Chapter 10: Buildings and Neighborhood Protection, Article IV: Modular Housing. Houston, TX. 1994.
City of Houston. Code of Ordinances. Chapter 42: Subdivisions-Development and Platting. Houston, TX. 1994.
City of Houston. Code of Ordinances. Chapter 26: Off Street Parking and Loading. Houston, TX. 1994
City of Houston. Code of Ordinances. Chapter 33: Planning and Development, Article V: Trees, Shrubs, and Screening Fences. Houston, TX. 1994.
City of Houston. Department of Housing and Community Development. Building Blocks for America. Houston, TX. July 1993.
City of Houston. Department of Housing and Community Development. Final Statement of Projected Use of Funds for the City of Houston’s Nineteenth Year Community Development Block Grant. Houston, TX. July, 1993.
City of Houston. Department of Housing and Community Development. Housing Assistance Program for Multi-Family Financing. Houston, TX. 1994.
City of Houston. Department of Housing and Community Development. Pamphlet on programs. Houston, TX. 1994.
City of Houston. Department of Public Works and Engineering. Neighborhood Traffic Projects Manual. Houston, TX. February 17, 1993.
City of Houston. Neighborhood Goals for Zoning Steering Committee. Neighborhood Goals for Zoning: Critical Issues for the Development of Houston’s Zoning Ordinance. Houston, TX. September 26, 1994.
City of Houston. Office of Mayor Bob Lanier. Neighborhoods to Standards. Houston, TX. Updated November 30, 1994.
City of Houston. Planning and Development Department. Census Statistical Brief: Population and Housing. Houston, TX. August, 1992.
City of Houston. Planning and Development Department. Census Statistical Brief: Socio-Economic Profile. Houston, TX. September, 1992.
City of Houston. Planning and Development Department. Demographic and Land Use Profile for Houston, Texas. Houston, TX. June, 1992.
City of Houston. Planning and Development Department. Housing and Neighborhoods Profile. Houston, TX. February, 1993.
City of Houston. Planning and Development Department. Housing Programs: Low & Moderate Income. Houston, TX. September, 1992.
City of Houston. Planning and Development Department. “The Neighborhood Partnership Program.” Handout for the Where We Live Focus Group. Houston, TX. May 12, 1994.
City of Houston. Planning and Development Department. “New and/or Expanded Programs and Policies.” Handout for the Where We Live Focus Group. Houston, TX. December 15, 1992.
City of Houston. Planning and Development Department. “Relating to our Neighborhoods.” Handout for the Where We Live Focus Group. Houston, TX. May 12, 1994.
City of Houston. Planning and Development Department. Transcribed notes from VA Nationwide Homeless Networking Education, Planning Program held at the First United Methodist Church. Houston, TX. October 5, 1994.
City of Houston. Ordinance No. 93-77. Houston, TX. January 20, 1993. (Noise)
City of Houston. Ordinance No. 93-177. Houston, TX. February 17, 1993. (Traffic)
City of Houston. Ordinance No. 93-514. Houston, TX. May 5, 1993. (Traffic)
City of Houston. Ordinance No. 93-1570. Houston, TX. December 8, 1993. (C.U.R.B.)
City of Houston. Ordinance No. 95-227. Houston, TX. March 2, 1995. (Tax Abatement for Historic Structures)
City of Houston. Ordinance No. 95-228. Houston, TX. March 2, 1995. (Historic Preservation Ordinance)
Collins, et. al. “Houston Land Use Regulations without Zoning.” Handout from the Symposium of the Houston Bar Association Real Estate Law Section. January 26, 1994.
Greater Houston Partnership. Neighborhood Protection and Visioning Task Force. “Current Land Use Ordinance that Affect Location.” Houston, TX. July , 1994.
Hare, Patrick. Accessory Apartments: Using Surplus Space in Single Family Houses. Chicago, Illinois. December, 1981.
Houston Association of Realtors. Affordable Housing Programs Can Open Doors. Houston, TX. 1993.
Link, Bea. Department of Public Works and Engineering, Neighborhood Protection Division. Personal interview. November 14, 1994.
Mixon, John. 31 South Texas Law Review. “Neighborhood Zoning for Houston.” February, 1990, p.1.
Neighborhood Initiatives Committee. “Initiatives Recommendations Report to the Planning and Zoning Commission.” Houston, TX. August 1, 1991.
Neighborhood Stabilization Committee. “Interim Report to the Land Use Strategies Committee.” Houston, TX. August 16, 1990.
Robinson, James. Houston Chronicle. “Is the Housing Authority undeserving Hispanics?” August 14, 1994, 1C, 6C.
Presentations
Austin, Tim. City of Houston Legal Department. Presentation of City enforcement of deed restrictions. May 10, 1994.
Collins, Robert. Andrews & Kurth. Presentation on City police power. July 18, 1994.
Kristaponis, Donna. Director, Planning & Development Department. Presentation of City programs concerning neighborhood protection. May 10, 1994.
Largent, Al. City of Houston Department of Public Works and Engineering. Presentation of Uniform Building Code. June 9, 1994.
Mixon, John. University of Houston Law Center. Presentation of neighborhood zoning. July 18, 1994.
Williams, Charles. Fulbright & Jawarski. Presentation on the urban village concept. July 18, 1994.
| |Renters |Owners |
|Household by Type, Income, and |Elderly |Small Related |Large Related |All Other |Total Renters |Elderly | All Other |Total Owners |Total Households|
|Housing Problem |1 & 2 Member |(2 to 4) |( 5 or more) |Households | | |Owners | | |
| |Households | | | | | | | | |
| |(A) |(B) |(C) | |(E) | | |(H) |(I) |
| | | | |(D) | |(F) |(G) | | |
|1. Very low income |15,672 |49,948 |23,262 |39,485 |128,367 |24,031 |29,250 |53,281 |181,648 |
|(0 to 50% MFI) | | | | | | | | | |
|2. 0 to 30% MFI |10,810 |27,914 |13,023 |22,440 |74,187 |14,159 |14,728 |28,887 |103,074 |
|3. % with any Housing |57% |84%` |95% |77% |83% |62% |74% |68% |79% |
|Problems | | | | | | | | | |
|4. % Cost Burden > 30% |74% |80% |81% |75% |78% |61% |69% |65% |74% |
|5. % Cost Burden > 50% |54% |62% |54% |65% |61% |34% |54% |44% |56% |
|6. 31 to 50% MFI* |4,862 |22,034 |10,239 |17,045 |54,180 |9,872 |14,522 |24,394 |78,574 |
|7. % with any Housing Problems|75% |74% |91% |78% |79% |34% |65% |52% |71% |
|8. % Cost Burden > 50% |74% |60% |40% |77% |63% |34% |54% |46% |16% |
|10. Other Low-Income (51 to |4,395 |28,982 |10,414 |29,908 |73,699 |11,510 |27,264 |38,774 |112,473 |
|80% MFI)* | | | | | | | | | |
|11. % with any Housing |44% |39% |78% |29% |41% |15% |45% |36% |39% |
|Problems | | | | | | | | | |
|12. % Cost Burden> 30% |42% |21% |11% |26% |23% |14% |32% |27% |24% |
|13. % Cost Burden > 50% |9% |2% |1% |2% |2% |3% |7% |6% |3% |
|14. Moderate Income (81 to 90%|1,280 |11,426 |3,309 |13,860 |29,875 |4,376 |15,318 |19,694 |49,569 |
|MFI)* | | | | | | | | | |
|15. % with any Housing |28% |20% |64% |9% |20% |9% |34% |29% |23% |
|Problems | | | | | | | | | |
|16. % Cost Burden > 30% |27% |7% |3% |7% |7% |8% |22% |19% |12% |
|17. % Cost Burden > 50% |7% |0% |0% |0% |1% |2% |3% |3% |1% |
|18. Total Households ** |26,538 |132,090 |43,349 |136,001 |337,978 |67,786 |21,1431 |279,217 |617,195 |
|19. % with any Housing |55% |43% |81% |31% |44% |22% |25% |25% |35% |
|Problems | | | | | | | | | |
* Or, based on HUD adjusted income limits if applicable.
** Includes all income groups -- including those above 95% of MFI
MFI - Medial Family Income
Source: 1994 Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS) Table 1C
The City of Houston Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) in the 1994 Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS) has illustrated the need for affordable housing in Table 1C of the report. The Affordable Housing Subcommittee of the Where We Live Focus Group partially based its finding of the lack of affordable housing in Houston on the 1994 CHAS (pp. 24-25).
The DHCD based its affordable housing needs assessment on the 1993 Annual Income Limits for Very Low and Low-Income in Houston (U.S. Department of Housing and Community Development). The HUD publication identifies two income categories, “Very Low” and “Low-Income” according to Table 2B located in the 1994 CHAS report (p. 24). Those classified as “Very Low” have a yearly income that is fifty percent (50%) or less of the city’s median family income (MFI). The “Low” have a yearly income that is less than eighty percent (80%) of the city’s MFI.
Table 2B -Very Low” and “Low-Income” Limits
|Persons’ per |Very Low |Low Income |
|Household | | |
|1 |$14,900 |$23,800 |
|2 |$17,000 |$27,200 |
|3 |$19,100 |$30,600 |
|4 |$21,250 |$34,000 |
|5 |$22,950 |$36,700 |
|6 |$24,650 |$39,450 |
|7 |$26,350 |$42,150 |
|8 |$28,050 |$44,900 |
In this analysis of need, Table 1C provides cost burden information as to how the lack of affordable housing distinctly impacts the very low and low-income populations. Table 1C illustrates the dearth of affordable housing by utilizing an affordability index, defined as the percent of gross income spent on rent (renter) or selected owner costs (home owner). Most Federal and local housing programs and mortgage companies consider 30% as the maximum amount of household income that should be devoted to housing costs.
The Table clearly shows that housing becomes less affordable as incomes fall below the city’s MFI. Approximately 78% of renting households in the “Very Low Income” category devote 30% or more of their income to housing, verses 23% for “Low Income” and 7% for “Moderate Income” renting households. The same pattern holds true for homeowners. Not surprisingly, families facing a higher cost burden also face more constrained housing choices. For example, seventy-five percent (75%) of “Very Low Income” renting households live in units with plumbing, electrical or other problems. The incidence of renting or owning a unit having major housing problems decrease as income rises and housing choices broaden. Thus, the affordable housing shortage in Houston accounts for the statistic that approximately 214,590 households (35% city wide) devote more than 30% of their income on rent or owner expenses, and over 216,000 households live in units in deteriorating condition.
|City Departments |Subject Reference |Code of Ordinance |
|Health (794-9317) |Mosquito Control |21-10 |
| |Animals |6-6 |
| |Food Establishments |20-18 |
| |Rendering Plants |10-273 |
| |Air Pollution |21-146 |
| |Sidewalk Cafes |40-10.1 |
|Public Works & Engineering (865-4100) |Abandoned Automobiles, |10-176 |
| |Appliances, etc. on Private | |
| |Property | |
| |Obstructions of Streets |40-7 |
| |Foliage Restricting Driver’s |45-17 |
| |Vision | |
| |Parking on Narrow Streets |45-117 |
| |Neighborhood Traffic |45-361 |
| |Projects | |
| |Street Lighting |37-4, 40-3 |
| |Garbage and Trash |39-48 |
|Capital Projects |Paving Assessments |See Section IVa City |
|(574-0700) | |Charter |
|Public Utilities (525-9800) |Disposal of Industrial Waste |47-186 |
|Fire (247-5000) |Smoke Detectors |See Chapter 12-1210 of the |
| | |Building Code |
|Police (247-5420) |Noise |30 |
| |Security Alarm System |11-32 |
| |Auto Wrecking and Salvage |28-34, 8-30 |
| |Yards | |
| |Subdivision Security |34-151 |
| |Organizations | |
|Legal (247-2000) |Enforcement of Deed |41-9 |
| |Restrictions | |
|Finance and Administration (247-1787) |Sexually Oriented |28-121 |
| |Businesses | |
| |Historic Properties Tax |44-5 |
| |Benefits | |
|Parks and Recreation (845-1000) |Planting on Public Property |32-6 |
|City Departments |Subject Reference |Code of Ordinance |
|Planning and |Development Ordinance |42 |
|Development (754-0001) |Houston Archaeological and |2-346 |
| |Historical Commission | |
| |Capital Recovery Fees |47-301 |
| |Portable Signs |See Chapter 46 of the |
| | |Building Code |
| |Mobile Homes |29 |
| |Helicopter/Heliports |9-315 |
| |House Moving |10-48 |
| |Sign Code |See Chapter 46 of the |
| | |Building Code |
| |Posting Signs |28-39 |
|Neighborhood Protection |Dangerous Buildings |10-326 |
|Division, Department of |Houston Housing Code |10-151 |
|Public Works and |Used Appliance Yards |7-2 |
|Engineering (654-6000) |Rat Control |21-106 |
| |Parking Trailers on Streets |45-123, 124 |
| |Weeds |21-9, 81 |
The City of Houston Code of Ordinances is available for reference at the City Secretary’s Office, City Hall, second floor. The Code of Ordinances is also available for reference at the Central Library at 500 McKinney Street.
Source: City Legal Department, May 1993
Updated, Planning and Development, January 1995
The staff and participants of Imagine Houston would like to thank the following organizations and people for their generous support of this process.
Austin High School
Barbara Jordan High School for Careers
Central Houston, Inc.
City of Houston Parks and Recreation Department
First United Methodist Church
George R. Brown Convention Center
Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau
High School for Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice
Hilton Southwest
Houston Architectural Foundation
Houston Community College
Houston Chronicle
Houston-Galveston Area Council
Houston Post
Junior League of Houston, Inc.
KHOU Channel 11
Memorial High School
Mount Carmel Senior High School
Municipal Access Channel
Sharpstown Recreation Center
Spring Shadows Pavilion
Texas Southern University
University of Houston
Velia’s Cafe
West End Multi-Service Center
Focus Group Resources
Facilitators: Linda May, Martha Burgher
Tim Austin, City of Houston Legal Department
Robert Collins, Andrews and Kurth
Donna Kristaponis, City of Houston Planning & Development Deptartment
Al Largent, City of Houston Department of Public Works & Engineering
John Mixon, University of Houston Law Center
Charles Williams, Fulbright and Jaworski (formerly)
Steering Committee:
Chair: David Berg
Vice-Chairs: Yolanda Navarro Flores
Harry Gee, Jr.
Laurence Payne
Members
Francisco Agraz
Azalea Aleman
Judith Craven, M.D.
Duke C. Dillon
Dora Fannon
Marie Flickinger
Fred P. Gaines
The Honorable Alexander Green
Jim Greenwood
Julia Guajardo
Bill Hartman
Joann Horton, Ph.D.
Christina Huston
Mavis Kelsey
Nathelyne Kennedy
Linda Knight
Julio S. Laguarta
The Reverend Bill Lawson
Leo E. Linbeck
Meredith Long
Daniel D. Louie, D.D.S., Ph.D.
George Lunnon
Patricia Maddox
Ernesto Maldonado
Marion A. McCollam
Raj Natarajan
Yolanda Black Navarro
Peg Nosek, Ph.D.
Peter Oxman
Kris Porcher
Perry Radoff
Robert Rivera
Alexander F. Schilt, Ph.D.
Carroll Shaddock
Kevin Shanley
J. Landon Short
J. J. Smith
Peggy Smith, Ph.D.
Reyna Teamer
Rosie Zamora-Cope
Alternate Members:
Glenda Barrett
Ervan Chew
John Cryer, III
Flora Maria Garcia
Robin Harrison
Bob Kendrick, Ph. D.
Elaine Neyland
Bob Randall, Ph. D.
Herbert B. Rothschild, Jr., Ph.D.
Erik Slotboom
Jeff Taebel
Lisa Terry
Byron Zaner
Focus Group Members
Steering Committee Representative
Ernesto Maldonado
Steering Committee Alternate
Elaine Neyland
Imad Abdullah
Al Abramczyk
W. T. Alexander
Neal Alton Jr.
Dennis Anga
Quealy Antin
Ernie Attwell
Nancy Bailey
Glen Baker
Ed Banks
Manuel Barrera
Ann Bell
David H. Berg
Luis Alberto Bodmer
Julia M. Booker
Barbara Booth
Carol Borrego
Rosa K. Bounds
Bill Bradshaw
Mr. & Mrs. Joe Braunagel
Carolyn Bremer
Jeff Bricker
L. S. "Pat" Brown
Reuben A. Brown
C. Ray Burklin
Bill Butler
Laconia W. Cain
Eduardo A. Caluo
Eloise Campos
Marcia Carter
Brylan Cass-Shively
Janice J. Cleavinger
Helen L. Coby
Bob Collins
Salvador Colon
Bob Conklin
Sarah Cortez
Michael L. Cothran
Ginny Crain
Judith Craven
Kay Crooker
Susan K. Cruse
Frank J. Cutaia
John Wes Davenport
Rosie J. Darby
Sue Davis
Dolly Davis
Norris O. Davis, III
Mary Ann Dendor
Alison Dieter
Kris Dockter
Catherine Dorsey
Melba Drake
Carmen Druke
Karin Dunn
Sandra J. Durham
Margie C. Elliott
Donzie Lea Ellis
Rafael Enriquez, Jr.
Vincent Esparza
Doris Esparza
Betty Jean Evans
Billie Blake Fant
Anna Fisher
Betty Fleming
C. Lalo Flores
Genaro E. Flores
James E. Fontenot
Louis Fontenot, P.E.
Michael Foster
Gary Frankowski
Anne Gaines
Olga Garza
Randy Goldsmith
L. M. Graves, Jr.
Jimmie L. Green
Barbara Gubbin
Devyani Guha
Gertie M. Guidry
Edward Guillory
Mary Guillory
Don Hahn
Marvin L. Hamilton
Vivian Harris
Earl J. Harris
John Heideman
Steven Henderson
Susan Hill
Howard Hilliard
Palestine B. Hines
Sandra Massie Hines
Alan Hirshman
Joann Horton
Douglas D. Houston
Sylvia Howard
DeWayne Huckabay
Charles A. Ingram
Georgia H. Jackson
Sharon Jacobson
Meredith H. James
JoAnn Jarreau
Bridget Jensen
Thomas Johns
Nigel Johnson
The Reverend Sylvester Johnson
Bobbie Johnson
Bobbie E. Jones
Doris R. Jones
Foster Jones, Jr.
Ed Kagi
Inel Klein
Tony Koosis
Ulrich Kremer
Nancy Kuhn
Julio S. Laguarta
Toni Lawrence
F. Charles LeBlanc
Joel R. Lewis
C. C. Li
Yu-Mei Lin
Patricia Lindsey
Daisy P. Lloyd
Cristobal Lopez
Sandra Lord
Bill Lotterhos
Michelle Louring
Steve Lufburrow
Daniel Luna
Norman J. Lynd
Patricia Maddox
Tommy Manuel
Vincent Marquez
David Marquez
Antonio Marron
Bonnie Martin
Rene Martinez
Ben Mask
Patricia Mathews
Jo Ann Matranga
Marion A. McCollam
Ranney McDonough
Ida J. McGregor
Patricia McLaughlin
Bryan McMillan
Renee McMillan
James McNew
Yolanda Messa
Ester Middleton
Dorothy A. Miller
Gene Miller
Laney Moore
John Moore
Karen Morton
Luella Mosies
Ruby Mosley
Maureen Mulrooney
Paul B. Myers
Dan Naite
Isabel Nart
Yolanda Navarro Flores
James Neidinger
Thao Ngo
Kathleen K. Null
Beneva Nyamu
A. B. Olmos
Diane Olmos
Anne Olson
Paul Oman
Shelia E. Orndorff
Carolyn Osborne
Frances Owens
Peter Oxman
Maria R. Palacios
James Partsch-Galvan
Diane Peirson
Caroline Zorn Pickens
Henry Pownall
Patricia Smith Prather
Jim Pulliam
Anthony J. Quartapella
Bob Randall
Guy Rankin
James Rasmas
Malynda Richardson
Robert Rivera
Federico Rodriquez
David Rosales
Marjorie E. Rose
R. Alan Rudy
Vince Ryan
Stephanie Sala
Francisco Sanchez
Erma Jean Scales
Levette Schlesinger
Jennifer Shepard
Jani Begum Sheik
J. Landon Short
Jose Sicilia
Keith R. Silas
Rosetta Simpson
E. I. Smith
Edith Smith
Javonnie Smith
Minnette Smith
Teresa M. Smith
Mark S. Snell
Tomas Spath
Beverly A. Spencer
Rich Squire
Jackie Stafford
Karey B. Statin
Gregg R. Stephens, AIA
Jon Strange
J. Kenneth Streeter, III
Jack D. Stroven
Bessie Swindle
Charles J. Tamborello
Charles Tapley
Mary H. Taylor
Andy Teas
Gladys Terrelonge
Mary Stella Thomas
Larry Thomas
Wini Tolson
Lynn Troncalli
Bart Truxillo
Leslie Turner-Lynch
Carl Umland
Jennifer Varela
Bertha J. Vaughns
Anne Viguerie
Caro Walker
Troylen Walls
Nicole Washington
Marie Watkins
Joe Douglas Webb
Monty Wells
Loe Whigham
Helen White
Lottie K. White-Thomas
Charles Williams
Reid Wilson
Linda Wilson
Brandy Wolf
James J. Wong
David Wood
Henry Wycislo
Thelma A. Yancy
Orviss L. Young, Sr.
Susan Young
Jody Zabolio
John V. Zavala
Barrie Zimmelman
Planning and Development Department
Donna H. Kristaponis, Director
Robert M. Litke, Deputy Director
Patricia Rincon-Kallman, Assistant Director, Long Range Planning
Madan Mangal, Division Manager, Long Range Planning
Karla Taylor, Public Information Officer
Imagine Houston Team
Margaret Wallace, Project Manager
Marjorie Blythe, Administration Manager
Charles Frederiksen AICP, Administration Manager
Neva Dean, Project Coordinator
Gwen C. Goodwin, Focus Group Liaison
Janeen Delafosse, Focus Group Liaison
Steven Finn, Focus Group Liaison
Christine Maguire, Focus Group Liaison
Dawn Riggs, Focus Group Liaison
Project Support
Gil Banks
Irene Briones
Jeannine Caracciolo
Patricia Cotton
Gwen Cox
Janeen Delafosse
Lydia King
Maria Lara
Annette Mitchell
Becky Nevers
Alysia Richards
Joseph Sorensen
Mary Welch
Consultants
Ron Thomas, Community Design Exchange
Jinni Benson, Community Design Exchange
Betti Maldonado, Maldonado Consulting
Alma Newsom, Newsom Communication Group
Randhir Sahni, Llewelyn-Davies-Sahni, Inc.
Jonathan Smulian, Llewelyn-Davies-Sahni, Inc.
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