Latest Contributions

• As coronavirus shutdowns sink city budgets, Dallas furloughs almost 500 employees

  by Juan Pablo Garnham May 8, 2020

  Experts and local leaders have warned that the next fiscal year will be a historically hard one for cities. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Getty Images/iStock

• Language barriers, absence of bank loans leave Latino small-business owners struggling

  by Juan Pablo Garnham May 8, 2020

  Before the pandemic, mom-and-pop stores at the Latino-oriented mall La Gran Plaza, in Fort Worth, saw crowds of thousands every day. Now, tenants are worried about evictions and not making ends meet. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune

• Texas halted evictions, giving renters some relief. But what happens when the moratorium ends?

  by Juan Pablo Garnham May 1, 2020

  Experts and advocates say renters — hit particularly hard by the economic downturn — face a financial cliff if more monetary aid doesn't arrive before moratoriums lift. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune

• Texas Supreme Court extends moratorium on evictions until May 18

  by Juan Pablo Garnham April 28, 2020

  Housing advocates say they are still concerned about cases of harassment and the longterm housing safety of vulnerable Texans. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Loren Elliott for The Texas Tribune

• Harris County closing temporary medical center for overflow coronavirus patients without ever using it

  by Juan Pablo Garnham April 24, 2020

  Local leaders had planned for the center to be an overflow medical facility in case of a surge in COVID-19 cases. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune

• You might be protected from eviction until Aug. 23. Here's how to find out.

  by Juan Pablo Garnham April 22, 2020

  A new database allows renters to search if their buildings are under a federal eviction moratorium due to COVID-19. But advocates note that even if you aren't listed, you might still have protections. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune

• Texas utility regulators have programs to prevent shutoffs during the pandemic. But some Texans are falling through the cracks.

  by Juan Pablo Garnham April 18, 2020

  Although some counties have moratoriums on disconnections, in most of the state customers need to apply for the benefit. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Mark Felix for The Texas Tribune

• The Texas real estate market is headed for a slowdown. The question is for how long.

  by Juan Pablo Garnham April 7, 2020

  Experts are concerned for regions like Houston and the Permian Basin, which might feel the economic effects not only of the pandemic, but also of the low price of oil. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune

• Local governments, already hard hit by the coronavirus, are facing a fresh budget threat: economic recession

  by Juan Pablo Garnham April 2, 2020

  Cities are projecting decreases in sales tax revenue, one of their most important financial sources. How bad the losses are — and what will have to be cut — depends on how long the pandemic lasts. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune

• Houston has a new drive-through coronavirus test site, but three others can't open due to shortages

  by Juan Pablo Garnham and Jay Root March 19, 2020

  Mayor Sylvester Turner said a lack of personal protective equipment for health workers is one reason three sites in Houston and Harris County can't open yet. Long lines formed at the one that did. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune

• Texas transit agencies are still getting front-line responders and low-income Texans to work. But service may change as the crisis continues.

  by Juan Pablo Garnham March 18, 2020

  Leaders in the Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio areas are already analyzing how fewer fares and drops in sales tax will affect them. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Leslie Boorhem-Stephenson for The Texas Tribune

• U.S. Reps. Kay Granger and Henry Cuellar claim victory in congressional primary races

  by Abby Livingston, Juan Pablo Garnham, Kiah Collier and Sami Sparber Updated: March 4, 2020

  Cuellar faced a challenge from attorney Jessica Cisneros, while Granger defeated former Colleyville City Council member Chris Putnam. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Leslie Boorhem-Stephenson for The Texas Tribune

• To fight huge drop in bus riders, North Texas transit agency faces hard choices about who gets service

  by Juan Pablo Garnham Feb. 25, 2020

  The new bus layout coming in 2022 might bring more service to high-demand areas, but it could also modify routes that serve people at their doorsteps. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Duy Vu for The Texas Tribune

• More Texas renters are struggling to find affordable housing, new report finds

  by Juan Pablo Garnham Jan. 31, 2020

  Experts say that as more high-income Texans rent, prices on existing homes are driven up. Meanwhile, the number of expensive units in the state is increasing as more affordable homes disappear. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Emree Weaver/The Texas Tribune

• Muddy shoes and difficult questions: How volunteers are counting the number of homeless Texans

  by Juan Pablo Garnham Jan. 24, 2020

  Hundreds of people walked the streets of Dallas on Thursday to count how many homeless residents live in the area. Similar counts are planned in other cities this month. The results will be key to finding solutions for vulnerable Texans. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Leslie Boorhem-Stephenson for The Texas Tribune

• In San Antonio, rent is rising but wages aren’t

  by Juan Pablo Garnham Jan. 16, 2020

  The city already has some of the worst poverty and segregation rates in the country. Now increasing rents are leaving low-income households struggling to keep up with the cost of living. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Robin Jerstad for The Texas Tribune

• Greg Abbott blames another stabbing on Austin's homeless policies and ramps up DPS patrols

  by Juan Pablo Garnham Jan. 9, 2020

  The Texas governor said DPS will place additional patrols within two blocks of state buildings downtown and around the University of Texas. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune

• After a man died, Greg Abbott blamed Austin's homeless policies. The mayor called it demonizing.

  by Juan Pablo Garnham Updated: Jan. 6, 2020

  A fatal stabbing near downtown Austin on Friday has reignited a social media squabble between Abbott and Austin leaders over the city's decision to overhaul its homeless policies. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune

• In rural Texas, people experiencing homelessness lead "masked" lives outside of public view

  by Juan Pablo Garnham Jan. 2, 2020

  Homeless Texans in the state's less populated areas are harder for people to find and help. But the number of people experiencing homelessness outside of Texas' urban centers has increased 33% in recent years. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Gary Rhodes for The Texas Tribune

• At least 25,000 people in Texas experience homelessness. Here's what we know about Texans without homes.

  by Stephanie Adeline and Juan Pablo Garnham Dec. 9, 2019

  Gov. Greg Abbott has focused attention on homeless Austin residents. But many more Texans are homeless in other parts of the state. Full Story 

  Photo credit:  Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune