Neighborhood Gentrification across Harris County: 1990 to 2016

The purpose of this report is to document recent neighborhood changes indicative of gentrification and to inform the development of strategies to support the equitable revitalization of specific Houston neighborhoods instead. 

Overall, gentrification in Houston has accelerated since 2000 with increases in the most recent years studied (from 2010 to 2016). Three case studies selected, Fifth Ward, OST/South Union and Greenspoint, were found to have relatively high susceptibilities to gentrification according to our analysis. 

Some communities push back against gentrification through local land-use policies, deed restrictions, homestead exemptions, community land trusts and community engagement strategies. The neighborhoods identified in this report as currently gentrifying or as susceptible to future gentrification may benefit the most from these strategies and from additional housing policy initiatives.