Houston sees squeeze on affordable housing & locals consider the benefits of solar power

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Morning Breakdown

Houston sees squeeze on affordable housing & locals consider the benefits of solar power

By Connor McGovern, Olivia Aldridge | 4:30 AM Jul 8, 2022 CDT
Updated 10:31 AM Jul 8, 2022 CDT

Photo of resident in front a building in an affordable housing community in Houston — Residents gather in a public space at an affordable housing community run by the nonprofit New Hope Housing in Houston. New Hope has ambitions to build between two and three new communities per year over the next few years, but rising costs of construction materials and land have made it hard to builders to deliver and maintain affordable units. (Courtesy New Hope Housing)

Residents gather in a public space at an affordable housing community run by the nonprofit New Hope Housing in Houston. New Hope has ambitions to build between two and three new communities per year over the next few years, but rising costs of construction materials and land have made it hard to builders to deliver and maintain affordable units. (Courtesy New Hope Housing)

The July 8 episode of the Houston Breakdown discusses the recent strain on affordable housing in Houston, plus how many residents are trying out solar power and more news from across the Houston metro.

Housing demand soars as affordability dwindles

An increase in home sale and rental prices have negatively impacted Houston’s affordable housing options, local experts say. Median home sales prices in Harris County jumped by 15.4% between 2020 and 2021, with homes in traditionally affordable areas often seeing the greatest increases.

Shawn Arrajj, one of Community Impact Newspaper's Houston area editors, provides context and discusses possible solutions for the growing affordability gap.

Also on this episode...

Missouri City City Council appoints the first members of its ethics commission; Harris County intends to sue Union Pacific Corporation for cancer cluster in creosote treatment facility; Harris County elects Clifford Tatum as elections administrator; and more.

By Connor McGovern

Audio Intern

Connor McGovern produces Community Impact Newspaper's podcasts, The Austin Breakdown, The Houston Breakdown and The DFW Breakdown. He also works as a reporter and producer for Mid-Missouri Public Radio and an editor at the Columbia Missourian. In May 2023, Connor will graduate from the University of Missouri with a Bachelor’s degree in journalism.

By Olivia Aldridge

Host & Producer

Olivia hosts and produces Community Impact Newspaper's podcasts, the Austin Breakdown, the Houston Breakdown and the DFW Breakdown. She launched the podcasts after nearly three years as a reporter for the newspaper, covering public health, business, development and Travis County government for the Central Austin edition. Olivia worked as a reporter and producer for South Carolina Public Radio before moving to Texas. You can follow her on Twitter @ojaldridge.