Homes for All Texans

Introduction

Housing is a fundamental human need and a basic right, essential for the health, safety, and well-being of individuals, families, and communities. Yet for too many Texans, the promise of safe, stable, and affordable housing remains out of reach, due to a complex web of market failures, policy choices, and systemic inequities that have created a profound and persistent affordability crisis in our state.

This book is an effort to untangle that web, and to chart a path forward towards a more just, equitable, and resilient housing future for all Texans. Drawing on years of research, advocacy, and community engagement, it offers a comprehensive and actionable framework for understanding and addressing the root causes and consequences of our housing affordability challenges, and for advancing bold and transformative solutions that center the needs and leadership of those most impacted by housing insecurity and discrimination.

The book is divided into 12 chapters, each exploring a key dimension of the housing affordability landscape in Texas, from the historical and demographic drivers of housing demand and supply, to the regional and local variations in housing markets and needs, to the innovative strategies and models being developed by communities and organizations across the state to expand access to affordable housing and build more inclusive and sustainable communities.

Chapter 1 sets the stage by providing an overview of the current state of housing affordability in Texas, highlighting the scale and scope of the challenges we face, and the urgent need for action and investment. Chapters 2 and 3 dive deeper into the historical and demographic context of housing affordability in Texas, examining the ways in which past policies and practices have shaped current patterns of segregation, disinvestment, and displacement, and the ways in which changing population dynamics and economic trends are creating new pressures and opportunities for housing development and preservation.

Chapters 4 and 5 focus on the specific challenges and strategies for expanding rental and homeownership affordability in Texas, respectively, highlighting the unique needs and opportunities of each tenure type, and the range of tools and resources available to support them. Chapter 6 explores the crisis of homelessness in Texas, and the emerging models and best practices for providing permanent supportive housing and ending homelessness through a Housing First approach.

Chapter 7 examines the critical intersection of housing affordability and disaster resilience in Texas, as our communities face increasing risks from climate change, extreme weather, and other shocks and stresses. It highlights the disproportionate impacts of disasters on low-income and marginalized communities, and the strategies and investments needed to build more resilient and equitable housing infrastructure and systems.

Chapter 8 takes a deep dive into the issues of fair housing and racial equity in Texas, examining the ways in which housing policies and practices have perpetuated and exacerbated racial disparities and segregation, and the imperative for centering racial justice and community leadership in housing affordability solutions. Chapters 9 and 10 focus on the policy and practice dimensions of advancing housing affordability in Texas, highlighting the key levers and strategies for advocacy and systems change, and the innovative models and case studies being developed by practitioners and communities across the state.

Chapter 11 focuses specifically on the funding and financing landscape for affordable housing in Texas, examining the challenges and opportunities for leveraging public, private, and philanthropic resources to support housing development and preservation, and the emerging tools and partnerships being developed to scale and sustain investments in affordable housing.

Finally, Chapter 12 offers a powerful call to action for all Texans to join the movement for housing justice and equity in our state, highlighting the critical role that each of us can play as advocates, allies, and champions for affordable housing, and the transformative potential of collective action and solidarity in achieving a vision of housing for all.

Throughout the book, readers will find a wealth of data, analysis, stories, and examples that illuminate the complexities and possibilities of advancing housing affordability in Texas, as well as concrete strategies and recommendations for policy, practice, and investment. The book is written in an accessible and engaging style, with a balance of academic rigor and practical relevance, and a deep commitment to elevating the voices and experiences of those most directly impacted by housing insecurity and injustice.

Ultimately, the goal of this book is not just to inform and educate, but to inspire and mobilize readers to take action in their own communities and spheres of influence, and to join the growing movement for housing justice and equity in Texas. By working together across differences and distances, and by centering the leadership and vision of those most directly impacted, we can build a Texas where everyone has a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home, and where our communities can thrive and flourish. Let us begin.