Shaping the Future: Harris County Calls for Community Input on 5-Year Fair Housing Plan
The Harris County Community Services Department (HCCSD) is setting out to create its new 5-year Fair Housing Plan, and they need input from the community to most accurately reflect the diverse housing needs and experiences of Harris County residents.
According to HCCSD, Harris County receives approximately $20 million per year in federal funding for community improvements and affordable housing. However, ensuring that these funds serve everyone fairly necessitates consistent efforts to tackle patterns of segregation, promote inclusive communities, and combat unfair housing practices. This commitment is tracked every half-decade through an assessment that explores barriers to fair housing and identifies strategies to overcome them.
The upcoming Fair Housing Assessment is a planning exercise rooted in community engagement and participation. Detailed understanding of the residents' housing choice and opportunity forms the backbone of this assessment. The residents' opinions will pave the way toward identifying and overcoming barriers to equal access to housing and neighborhood opportunities.
As part of this initiative, a series of Open House events will be held across Harris County. On Thursday, March 28 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, local residents are encouraged to attend an Open House at the Hockley Community Center, located at 28515 Old Washington Road, Hockley, TX 77447. These open houses are designed to be interactive, inviting residents to engage in exercises that help identify housing needs, speak to precinct officials, and question the planning team. The event is family-friendly, and refreshments will be served.
For those who can't make it to the Open House, their voices can still be heard. The Harris County Fair Housing Survey has been created to capture the experiences, preferences, and challenges faced by Harris County residents in terms of their housing realities. The survey is a critical input to the detailed, data-driven analysis that will shape future policies and programs.
The survey is open to all residents of Harris County, regardless of housing situation or background. The more responses received, the more accurate and representative the data becomes. The survey is confidential and takes approximately 10 minutes to complete.
To take the Harris County Fair Housing Survey or to learn more about the survey and the County’s Fair Housing Assessment, please visit FairHousingForAll.com.
Your voice matters, and your feedback can shape the housing landscape in Harris County. Participate in the assessment today and help the Harris County Community Services Department in their mission to ensure Fair Housing for All.
By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 
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Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region. |
