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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 

Section 8 vouchers are supposed to help the poor reach better neighborhoods. Texas law gets in the way.

By Edgar Walters, The Texas Tribune, and Neena Satija, The Texas Tribune and Reveal Nov. 19, 2018

Under Texas law, landlords cannot be punished for discriminating against families with federal housing vouchers. The impact is clear in Houston, where one in four families who receive housing assistance never gets to use it. Full Story 

How to know if you’re spending too much on housing in Texas

By Emily Yount Swelgin, Chris Essig, Brandon Formby and Naema Ahmed Oct. 5, 2018

We analyzed housing data in hundreds of Texas ZIP codes to create a searchable tool so readers can see how affordable their neighborhood is. Full Story 

As Texas grows, an affordable housing crisis looms. Here are six things to know.

By Brandon Formby, Darla Cameron and Chris Essig Oct. 5, 2018

Demographics, income and location all play roles in the difficulties Texans face finding an affordable home in a neighborhood they like. Full Story 

Latest coverage

• 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 

• Everything you need to know about homelessness in Texas

  By Megan Menchaca Dec. 23, 2019

  Elected officials have bickered over how to respond to Texans experiencing homelessness, and President Donald Trump tapped a man who founded a San Antonio shelter to coordinate the federal government's approach. Meanwhile, homeless Texans say they're often misunderstood. Full Story 

• 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 

• Feds plan to make housing assistance harder for undocumented immigrants. Few in Texas are even getting it.

  By Juan Pablo Garnham Aug. 23, 2019

  Undocumented immigrants don't qualify for federal housing assistance. But a new U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development rule barring such residents from subsidized homes could prompt evictions of families. Full Story 

• Amid Dallas bribery scandal, legislator takes aim at Texas law addressing some low-income housing projects

  By Acacia Coronado March 4, 2019

  State Rep. Eric Johnson said he plans to file legislation that would halt the practice of soliciting letters from elected officials supporting or opposing housing developments being considered for federal tax credits. Full Story 

• How to fix affordable housing in Texas, by Texans

  By Alex Samuels Oct. 31, 2018

  At roundtable discussions in Dallas, Texans identified how expensive housing affects economic mobility and quality of life. And they came up with ideas on how policymakers can help residents. Full Story 

• Watch: A conversation on affordable housing

  By Texas Tribune Staff Oct. 29, 2018

  We're livestreaming our conversation in Dallas on affordable housing in the Metroplex and communities across Texas. Full Story 

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• We asked Texas midterm candidates how to improve affordability. Here's what they said.

  By Emily Yount Swelgin, Alex Samuels and Cassandra Pollock Oct. 25, 2018

  Should the state or federal government increase the minimum wage? We asked Texas candidates running for office how to improve affordability with questions crowdsourced from young Texans. Full Story 

• Watch our symposium on rural Texas, and include your community in the conversation

  By Jessica Weaver and Alex Samuels Updated: Nov. 12, 2018

  We're livestreaming our two-day event in College Station, diving into the most pressing issues facing rural communities across Texas. Tune in and include your community in the conversation. Full Story 

• T-Squared: Help us spark policy conversations in your communities

  By Alex Samuels, Jessica Weaver and Amanda Zamora Oct. 5, 2018

  Through live events, investigative reporting and interactive data projects, we've been diving deep into the biggest issues facing communities across Texas. Now we want to hear from you. Full Story 

• Want to discuss affordable housing in your community? This guide can start the conversation.

  By Alex Samuels and Jessica Weaver Oct. 5, 2018

  We've prepared a toolkit to help Texans build a dialogue about housing issues in their community. It has everything you need to get started. Full Story 

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• "It’s our form of apartheid": How Galveston stalled public housing reconstruction in the 10 years after Ike

  By Edgar Walters Updated: April 16, 2018

  Hurricane Ike ravaged Galveston in 2008 and touched off a fierce battle over whether to rebuild the city's destroyed public housing. A decade later, less than half of it has been replaced. The prolonged saga offers a cautionary tale for Texas as it launches the long-term recovery process after Hurricane Harvey. Full Story 

• A decade after Ike, Houston still hasn’t spent tens of millions it got to build affordable housing

  By Neena Satija, The Texas Tribune and Reveal March 29, 2018

  When the Houston Housing Authority tried to build in low-income neighborhoods, housing advocates and the feds blocked the projects. When they turned to wealthier areas, neighbors and politicians shot them down. Will anything change once federal money starts to flow after Hurricane Harvey? Full Story 

• Coastal officials say feds failing Harvey victims on short-term housing

  By Brandon Formby Nov. 8, 2017

  Officials from battered towns and counties — including one who said he's had suicidal thoughts — told lawmakers that too many residents are sleeping in tents and hotels more than two months after Hurricane Harvey. Full Story 

• With no relief from Legislature, West Dallas mom scrambles for a place to live

  By Brandon Formby July 11, 2017

  Noemi Pina is among hundreds of West Dallas residents who have been ensnared in a battle between their landlord and Dallas City Hall. Full Story 

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• Despite "Texas miracle," affordable housing difficult for many urban dwellers

  By Brandon Formby, Chris Essig and Annie Daniel June 16, 2017

  A new Harvard study found that Americans — especially poorer ones — are having a harder time find a suitable place to call home. Texas lawmakers, experts and development industry leaders say there are plenty of reasons why that's true here, too. Full Story 

• A lawmaker might have just lost his fight to address West Dallas gentrification

  By Brandon Formby May 12, 2017

  State Rep. Eric Johnson's bill aimed at providing relief for the epicenter of Dallas' affordable housing crisis is among legislation expected to be blocked from a House vote on Friday. That would likely kill his bill. Full Story 

• HUD wants documentation on how Dallas handled federal housing funds

  By Brandon Formby Oct. 31, 2016

  The federal agency's inquiry comes after a City Hall audit raised questions about the way housing officials documented their oversight of subsidized projects. Full Story