Understanding Disasters in Houston How natural disasters and COVID-19 affect our region and residents Greater Houston has experienced seven federally declared disasters since 2015, including the novel coronavirus pandemic. We Houstonians are accustomed to natural disasters such as hurricanes, flooding and the occasional spin-off tornado. In addition to a record-breaking hurricane season, the year 2020 …
Category Archives: Topic
Employment in the Arts
Arts Employment in Houston Houstonians employed in the arts can make decent wages, but employment rates and troubling disparities leave room for improvement Opportunities for Houston creative professionals are strong, but racial and economic inequalities persist throughout the sector. Why employment in the arts matters to Houston Houston may be most recognized for its contributions …
Arts Attendance
Arts Attendance in Houston Houstonians value the arts in their communities, but socioeconomic barriers make engagement difficult While interest in the arts is high, residents of color aren’t always able to participate at the same rates as White residents. Why arts participation matters to Houston Houstonians are passionate about the arts. After all, there aren’t …
Access to the Arts
Access to the Arts in Houston Spending on arts and culture is increasing in our region, but not at a pace consistent with our growing population While access to and interest in art and cultural organizations is generally increasing, the three-county area still lags behind the nation in overall support. Why access to arts matters …
Arts
Understanding Arts and Culture in Houston How our region’s creative resources benefit residents — some more than others The importance of art in our communities extends far beyond entertainment. Houston’s vibrant creative community also has tremendous benefits for both our economy and our diverse population. However, those benefits are not spread equitably through our region, …
Air & Water Quality
Air and Water Quality Air and water quality has improved over the last couple decades but remain at levels that can harm public health, particularly the most vulnerable. Despite improvement in air and water pollution levels in Houston’s three-county region over the last two decades, People of Color and low-income communities continue to bear a …
Climate Change and Renewable Energy
Climate Change and Renewable Energy As our region continues to experience the effects of climate change, the role of renewable energy sources grows more important. While current greenhouse gas emission levels in Greater Houston have remained flat in the last decade, our region has become hotter and wetter. Climate change risks are projected to increase …
Transportation Access
Transportation Access in Houston Our ability to easily access safe, affordable, and reliable transportation shapes how we interact with our larger community Houstonians tend to love their cars and love driving them. But they also have few other options to meet their transportation needs, forcing thousands of residents to bear the costs of a personal …
Environment
Understanding Houston’s environment amid a changing climate How our region’s air and water quality and climate change impacts affect our environment, health and future well-being Fundamental to our existence are clean air, potable water, and temperatures being “just right” on Earth. And while eight billion people share this planet, most environmental impacts are felt locally …
Housing Vulnerabilities
Housing Vulnerabilities Unsafe or unstable housing continues to threaten the health, well-being, and economic security of Houston-area residents. Many low-income households lack the necessary resources to afford soaring rents and bounce back from disasters, leaving them more vulnerable to unsafe housing conditions, eviction or even homelessness. Why housing vulnerabilities matter to Houston Hundreds of thousands …