About the program
The proposed Houston Multi-Family Habitability Code—authored by council member Letitia Plummer—would require rental properties with too many habitability violations to register as “high risk” and submit inspections with the city, according to documents detailing the ordinance.
Habitability citations can include structural failures, electrical hazards and plumbing violations, as outlined in the city’s code of ordinances. Additionally, affected property owners and managers would have to correct violations in a timely manner and attend annual landlord training.
The ordinance would also establish an Apartment Standards Enforcement Committee consisting of representatives from the police and fire departments, Houston Public Works, the health department and a local property owner, among others. The committee would be tasked with coordinating the city's response to dangerous apartment conditions, per the ordinance.
“[The ordinance] really gives the city the ability to intervene before a tragedy occurs,” Plummer said during the Dec. 10 meeting. “It protects tenants without raising rents, which is obviously something we want with affordable housing, and it protects first responders who routinely call on these buildings.”
Some context
Plummer initially proposed the ordinance to the Proposition A committee in May, but she said during the Dec. 10 meeting that she’s been working to address dangerous apartment conditions for nearly six years.
The proposed program appeared before City Council members Nov. 5 for approval, but the body ultimately voted to table its decision over enforceability concerns, Community Impact previously reported.
While many council members expressed support for the initiative during the Dec. 10 meeting, several officials, including Mayor John Whitmire and Mayor Pro Tem Martha Castex-Tatum, said there hasn’t been enough opportunity for public feedback on the proposed ordinance.
However, Plummer remained adamant throughout the meeting that the ordinance in its current form is ready to be adopted.
More details
According to an Oct. 15 memo from Assistant City Attorney Genesis Jimenez—which was included in the Dec. 10 agenda—the city does have the legal authority to adopt a heightened inspection and regulatory program for multifamily housing.
However, Jimenez said in the memo that the draft presents “shortcomings” that could expose the city to legal challenges.
“The version submitted for consideration lacks procedural safeguards,” Jimenez said in the memo. “While it provides notice, it does not offer a formal opportunity for the owner to be heard.”
What’s next?
The council voted to send the ordinance back to the administration—where it will be referred to the Economic Development and Housing and Affordability committees—with the expectation that the program will be placed on the City Council agenda within 30 days of committee review.
Council member Edward Pollard, who in previous meetings expressed support for approving the program, voted against the motion to send the ordinance back to committee.
The exact date for the joint committee meeting has not been set as of press time, but council members are expected to revisit the ordinance in early 2026.
Something to note
Plummer said her last day on the City Council is Dec. 17. She announced her candidacy for Harris County judge in July, Community Impact previously reported.
“I promise you, I’ll be at all the meetings, right there in the audience, to make sure this thing gets done,” Plummer said at the Dec. 10 meeting. “I will call all of [council] to make sure we have support on this item, and I’m looking for a unanimous vote when this comes in January.”
