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Addressing the Housing Crisis in Houston

ABOVE: David A. Northern, Sr., President and CEO of Houston Housing Authority EXCLUSIVE: One-On-One with David A. Northern, Sr., President and CEO of Houston Housing Authority According to a recent report released by the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) entitled The Gap: A Shortage of Affordable Homes, Texas ranks the sixth-worst state in the […]
The post Addressing the Housing Crisis in Houston first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

3 years ago

September 20, 2023

Forward Times Staff

ABOVE: David A. Northern, Sr., President and CEO of Houston Housing Authority

EXCLUSIVE: One-On-One with David A. Northern, Sr., President and CEO of Houston Housing Authority

According to a recent report released by the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) entitled The Gap: A Shortage of Affordable Homes, Texas ranks the sixth-worst state in the U.S. for affordable housing for extremely low-income renters, with Houston ranking the fifth worst metropolitan city in the country.

The Texas Affiliation of Affordable Housing Providers (TAAHP)—a non-profit trade association that serves as the primary advocate and leading resource for the affordable housing industry in Texas—highlighted key facts from the report, relative to the immediate need for more affordable housing in Texas, and across the Greater Houston area, such as:

Twenty-two percent of all Texas rental households are extremely low income.
79% of all Texas rental households are severely cost burdened, meaning they spend over half their income on housing.
Only 25 rental units per 100 units are affordable and available for extremely low-income households.
There’s a shortage of 864,338 affordable and available units for households living at or below 50% AMI {Area Median Income (AMI) is generated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)}
Between 2019 and 2021, the lack of affordable and available rental homes for very low-income renters (at or below 50% AMI) worsened by more than 164,591 units, or 24%.
In Houston’s Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), there are 19 affordable and available rental homes for every 100 extremely low-income renter households.

One of the ways in which the city of Houston has sought to address challenges with providing more affordable housing opportunities is through the Houston Housing Authority (HHA).

David A. Northern, Sr., President and CEO of Houston Housing Authority

Created as an independent entity by the Houston City Council in 1938, in response to federal legislation—the U.S. Housing Act of 1937—the HHA helped implement state legislation that charged local entities with providing decent, safe, and sanitary housing for low to moderate-income families and individuals.

Today, HHA is one of the nation’s largest housing authorities and provides affordable homes and services to more than 60,000 low-income Houstonians, with 200 plus full-time employees and more than 100 private management staff. HHA’s annual budget is about $300 million with an inventory that includes a federally funded portfolio of 24,000 units and 22,000 non-federal units. HHA helps over 17,000 families who are housed through the Housing Choice Voucher Program, 4,200 living in 19 public housing and tax credit developments, and an additional 716 in project-based voucher developments around the city. HHA also administers one of the nation’s largest voucher programs exclusively serving homeless veterans.

David A. Northern, Sr. currently serves as the President and CEO of HHA, after being hired to come to the city of Houston to lead the organization in February 2022.

Prior to HHA, Northern served as president and CEO of the Housing Authority of the Birmingham District, which is the largest housing authority in Alabama.

Northern obtained a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Ball State University and a Master of Public Affairs from Indiana University. Additionally, Northern completed the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government 18-month Community Development program. Northern has dedicated his longstanding and reputable career of 26 years to the public housing industry. A demonstrated leader in the affordable housing sector, he is the immediate past president of the Public Housing Authorities Directors Association—an organization of 1,900-member housing agencies representing more than 1.9 million low-income housing units throughout the country.

Northern has proven experience as a proactive leader in federal housing assistance programs, including urban planning and policy development.

In 2011, he was selected as a member of a housing delegation that traveled to South Africa to educate and advise their government leadership. In 2016, Northern was a speaker at the White House Convening on the proposed HUD smoke-free rule in public housing. In 2019 he was appointed by Governor J.B. Pritzker to the Illinois State Housing Task Force and was elected to the Illinois Housing Council’s Board of Directors.

Northern recently visited with the Forward Times to discuss his impressive background, as well as talk about the impact he and his team are having when it comes to addressing the serious issue of providing affordable housing opportunities to every-day citizens in the city of Houston.

David A. Northern, Sr. participates in ribbon cutting ceremony with Cuney Homes Food Pantry

What brought you to Houston?

My commitment to the HHA mission of providing quality, affordable housing options and promoting education and economic self-sufficiency brought me to Houston. This is a city with immense potential, but it also faces significant affordable housing challenges. The Houston Housing Authority’s dedication to serving its community aligned perfectly with my professional goals and values. I was inspired by the potential to make a substantial impact on the lives of Houstonians in need, which motivated me to join this incredible organization. Also, I find Houston to be a highly desirable place to live. The city offers a delightful combination of favorable weather, welcoming residents, exceptional culinary experiences, and a vibrant sports culture.

What have been some of your biggest accomplishments at HHA thus far?

One of the significant accomplishments during my tenure at the Houston Housing Authority has been our efforts to expand affordable housing options. We’ve made strides in fully implementing the Moving to Work Plan, a program that allows us to design innovative strategies to use federal resources more efficiently, help residents find employment, and increase housing choices. Additionally, our Family Self-Sufficiency Program has empowered families to achieve economic self-sufficiency, and we continue to build relationships with landlords and developers to expand affordable housing opportunities in our community. Currently, we have two major projects underway. First, we are providing and installing air-conditioning units in all of our public housing. This is a huge relief for our families in Houston. I am so thrilled that we are able to provide this necessity. Second, we are installing Flock Security Systems across our properties. Specifically, these security systems are License Plate Readers (LTRs). This allows our law enforcement agencies quick access to data that will allow them to apprehend any perpetrators who may commit transgressions in and around our communities. This initiative will offer comfort and peace of mind to our residents. Everyone deserves to live in safe, decent, and sanitary homes.

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced with the HHA upon your arrival? How did you or how are you addressing them?

Upon my arrival at the Houston Housing Authority, one of the significant challenges was addressing the shortage of affordable housing in the city, a challenge that has been exacerbated by factors such as gentrification and rising housing costs. To tackle this issue, we are implementing innovative solutions like mixed-income housing developments, which can help prevent displacement and create economic opportunities for low-income families. We are also actively engaging with elected officials and community members to advocate for fair housing policies and secure federal funding for affordable housing initiatives. Upon assuming my role at HHA (amid the tail end of the COVID-19 pandemic), I encountered the substantial challenge of a workforce depleted by remote work arrangements. In response, we initiated a robust recruitment program, established an on-site training center, and conducted in-depth assessments to determine how we could offer competitive compensation packages and benefits in order to effectively attract and retain valuable team members.

How did you get into this particular career path and line of work?

I was drawn to the affordable housing sector due to its profound impact on people’s lives and by having a strong commitment to social justice and community development. This commitment led me to take on leadership roles in organizations dedicated to affordable housing, which include working for seven housing authorities and holding leadership positions at the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO), the Public Housing Authorities Directors Association (PHADA), and Moving to Work (MTW) Collaborative. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside passionate individuals who share the same vision for creating better housing opportunities for all. I firmly believe that housing is a fundamental human right, and my career choice reflects my commitment to ensuring that everyone has access to safe and secure housing. My journey in this field began with a deep-seated desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those facing housing challenges, which led me to dedicate my career to this cause.

David A. Northern, Sr., President and CEO of Houston Housing Authority

What do you enjoy about the work you do?

What I find most fulfilling about my work is the direct and positive impact it has on individuals and communities. It’s a privilege to be able to contribute to improving the lives of low-income Houstonians by providing them with quality, affordable housing options and the tools to achieve economic self-sufficiency. Every day, I witness the hope and transformation our programs bring to people’s lives, and that is immensely rewarding.

Who have been your greatest influences throughout your career?

My top priorities have always been my faith and my family. And they have been one of my greatest influences that have helped make me the man that I am today. Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to be influenced by dedicated professionals who share my passion for affordable housing and social justice. From mentors who guided me in the early stages of my career to colleagues and partners who collaborate with me today, I have drawn inspiration and knowledge from a wide network of individuals committed to the same mission. Their guidance and support have played a pivotal role in shaping my approach and vision for the work I do.

What are some of your key goals at HHA? What legacy do you hope to leave here?

My key goals at HHA revolve around ensuring that every individual we serve has access to safe and affordable housing and the resources to achieve economic self-sufficiency. I hope to leave a legacy of progress, compassion, and innovation in the affordable housing sector. I want the Houston Housing Authority to be a beacon of hope and a model for other organizations in the field, demonstrating that through collaborative efforts and forward-thinking strategies, we can address the affordable housing crisis and improve the lives of countless Houstonians. My leadership at the Houston Housing Authority has always been guided by a deep commitment to support, compassion, and a relentless drive for success. My enduring legacy is one of fostering positivity and making a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve and the team with whom I work. I want nothing but the best for everyone.

What advice would you give any young, aspiring African Americans seeking to follow your career path?

To young, aspiring African Americans interested in a career in affordable housing or similar fields, I would offer the following advice. Success in any career is strengthened by building professional relationships with people. Networking is essential to expand your outreach and open doors for you that would otherwise remain closed. There is a saying in business, “Either you’re at the table or you’re on the menu.” Be the person who brings yourself to the table of conversations with the right people, and if there isn’t a seat for you at that table, bring your own chair. You won’t know if you don’t ask for opportunities. I would suggest finding mentors to share their insight, expertise, perspective, and knowledge. That can be an invaluable resource as you learn and grow into the type of person you want to be, professionally and personally. Diversity is important, so expand your networking outside of your own race to get perspectives from people of all walks of life, not just the people who look like you. Another key element to success is thinking beyond what other people have done before you: thinking outside the box, the square, the circle, etc. Create your own shape and allow that to guide your choices. Don’t limit yourself based on limitations other people have established before you. Every obstacle can be overcome in some way. The solution lies in your ability to ask questions, get creative to find solutions, and use every success and every setback to your advantage as a way to continuously become stronger in your profession. Additionally, I want young aspiring African Americans to find their 3 “WHATS”:

What is your why? Your purpose and motivation for your aspirations
What is your next? What you plan to do to accomplish your goals
What is your sacrifice? What you are willing to give up in pursuit of achievement

And always remember: You can learn from everyone and anyone what to do and what not to do.

For more information about the Houston Housing Authority (HHA), please visit their website at: https://housingforhouston.com/.

The post Addressing the Housing Crisis in Houston appeared first on Forward Times.

The post Addressing the Housing Crisis in Houston first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

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Black Artists in America, Installation Three Wraps at the Dixon Gallery and Gardens

TRI-STATE DEFENDER — With 50+ paintings, sculptures and assemblages, the exhibit features artists like Varnette Honeywood from Los Angeles, whose pieces appeared in Bill Coby’s private collection (before they were auctioned off) and on “The Cosby Show.” Also included are works by Alonzo Davis, another Los Angeles artist who opened one of the first galleries there where Black Artists could exhibit.

Published

2 weeks ago

March 24, 2026

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By Candace A. Gray | Tri-State Defender

The tulips gleefully greet those who enter the gates at the Dixon Gallery & Gardens on an almost spring day. More than 650,000 bulbs of various hues are currently on display. And they are truly breathtaking.

Inside the gallery, and equally as breathtaking, is the “Black Artists in America, From the Bicentennial to September 11” exhibit, which runs through Sunday, March 29. This is the third installment of a three-part series that started years ago and illustrates part of the Black experience through visual arts in the 20th century.

“This story picks up where part two left off,’’ said Kevin Sharp, the Linda W. and S. Herbert Rhea director for the Dixon. “This era is when we really start to see the emergence of these important Black artists’ agency and freedom shine through. They start to say and express what they want to, and it was a really beautiful time.”

With 50+ paintings, sculptures and assemblages, the exhibit features artists like Varnette Honeywood from Los Angeles, whose pieces appeared in Bill Coby’s private collection (before they were auctioned off) and on “The Cosby Show.” Also included are works by Alonzo Davis, another Los Angeles artist who opened one of the first galleries there where Black Artists could exhibit.

“Though [Davis] was from LA, he actually lived in Memphis for a decade,” said Sharp. “He was a dean at Memphis College of Art, and later opened the first gallery in New York owned and operated by black curators.”

Another featured artist is former NFL player, Ernie Barnes. His work is distinctive. Where have you seen one of his most popular paintings, Sugar Shack? On the end scene and credits of the hit show “Good Times.” His piece Saturday Night, Durham, North Carolina, 1974 is in this collection.

Memphis native James Little’s “The War Baby: The Triptych” is among more than 50 works featured in “Black Artists in America, From the Bicentennial to September 11” at the Dixon Gallery & Gardens, the final installment of a three-part series highlighting the impact and evolution of Black artists through 2011.

The exhibit features other artists with Memphis ties, including abstract painter James Little, who was raised in a segregated Memphis and attended Memphis Academy of Art (before it was Memphis College of Art). He later moved to New York, became a teacher and an internationally acclaimed fixture in the art world in 2022 when he was named a Whitney Biennial selected artist at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York.

Other artists like Romare Bearden, who had a Southern experience but lived up North, were featured in all three installments.

“During this period of time, he was a major figure,” said Sharp. “He wrote one of the first books on the history of African American art during a time when there were more Black academics, art teachers, more Black everything!”

Speaking of Black educators, Sharp said the head curator behind this tri-part series and Dixon’s partner in the arts is Earnestine Jenkins, Ph.D., an art history professor at the University of Memphis, who also earned a Master of Arts degree from Memphis State University (now UofM). “We began working with Dr. Jenkins in 2018,” he said.

Sharp explained that it takes a team of curators, registrars, counterparts at other museums, and more, about three years to assemble an exhibit like this. It came together quite seamlessly, he added. Each room conjured up more jaw-dropping “wows” than the one before it. Each piece worked with the others to tell the story of Black people and their collective experience during this time period.

One of the last artists about whom Sharp shared information was Bettye Saar, who will turn 100 years old this year. She’s been working in Los Angeles for 80 years and is finally getting her due. Her medium is collages or assemblages, and an incredible work of hers is on display. She’s married to an artist and has two daughters, also artists.

The exhibit catalogue bears some of these artists’ stories, among other scholarly information.

The exhibit, presented by the Joe Orgill Family Fund for Exhibitions, is culturally and colorfully rich. It is a must see and admission to the Dixon is free.

Visit https://www.dixon.org/ to learn more.

Fun Facts: An original James Little design lives in the flooring of the basketball court at Tom Lee Park, and he makes and mixes his own paint colors.

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Grief, Advocacy, and Education: A Counselor Reflects on Black Maternal Health

SAN DIEGO VOICE & VIEWPOINT — Last month healthcare leaders, birth workers, and community members gathered to honor the legacy of Charleston native Dr. Janell Green Smith, a nurse-midwife and doctor of nursing practice who died in January from childbirth complications. She had participated in more than 300 births and specialized in helping Black women give birth safely.

Published

2 weeks ago

March 24, 2026

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By Jennifer Porter Gore | Word-In-Black | San Diego Voice and Viewpoint

In 2024, the number of U.S. mothers who died as a result of pregnancy or childbirth dropped compared to 2023. But while slightly fewer Black mothers died that year, they still had three times the mortality rate of white women.

South Carolina’s rates of maternal deaths outpaced even the national rates. In fact, the state’s overall rate of maternal deaths between 2019 and 2023 was higher than all but eight states and the District of Columbia.

Last month healthcare leaders, birth workers, and community members gathered to honor the legacy of Charleston native Dr. Janell Green Smith, a nurse-midwife and doctor of nursing practice who died in January from childbirth complications. She had participated in more than 300 births and specialized in helping Black women give birth safely.

Her death shocked the community and her colleagues who are determined to address concerns about Black maternal health. The event also covered the importance of protecting mental health during grief and of men’s role in solving the maternal health crisis.

As both a therapist and a father, Lawrence Lovell, a licensed professional counselor and founder of Breakthrough Solutions, discussed ways the event’s attendees could process their grief over Green Smith’s death. He also shared ways male partners can advocate for women’s maternal health during pregnancy and childbirth.

Lovell spoke not just as a therapist but also as a father whose own family had briefly crossed paths with Green Smith. The event, he said, emerged organically from a moment of collective mourning.

Despite the grief, “it was still, like, a really beautiful event, a much-needed event, and it almost felt like we were all giving each other a collective family hug,” says Lovell.

His connection to Green Smith, Lovell says, was brief but meaningful during his wife’s pregnancy with their second child. Green Smith was practicing at the same birthing center where they had their child. She began practicing in Greenville a short time later.Even that short connection carried significance for Lovell, given the small number of Black maternal health professionals.

Lovell did not initially plan to become a mental health practitioner; he chose the career path after graduating from college, when someone suggested he consider psychology. His interest deepened when he noticed how few Black men work in mental health.

“Being Black man and playing football in college, there weren’t a lot of people that look like me talking about mental health,” says Lovell. “[I wanted] to give people that look like me an opportunity to work with someone that looks like them.”

Working with Expectant and New Parents

Lovell often counsels couples preparing for parenthood by, helping partners understand what a successful pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum recovery look like. That often means helping women manage postpartum depression.

As a man, Lovell says, it’s “humbling” that a woman “just trusts me enough to work with me through their pregnancy or their postpartum recovery.”

In his work, Lovell has noticed how few men understand pregnancy before they experience it with their partner. Because early pregnancy symptoms are often invisible, he says, men may underestimate how much support a mom-to-be actually needs.

“Sometimes they may not realize they don’t know much about pregnancy and what to expect in those three trimesters,” Lovell says. “I tell a lot of the men that just because you can’t see [she’s pregnant] doesn’t mean that she won’t appreciate your intense support in that first trimester.”

Education about pregnancy and postpartum recovery, he says, can change how men support their partners.

Teaching Advocacy in the Delivery Room

Another major focus of Lovell’s counseling is preparing men to advocate for mothers during labor.

“Helping men understand what pregnancy looks like: what delivery is going to look like, and what are the realistic expectations that I should have of myself in postpartum,” he says.

Lovell encourages partners to be honest about their expectations for what will happen during delivery. He helps them prepare for the big day by discussing the birth plan and knowing how to quickly recognize problems. Clear communication, he says, prevents misunderstandings.

He regularly trains men to ask their partners detailed questions about their expectations during and after pregnancy. Advocacy in medical settings can be especially important and requires attention to details the mother may not be able to address.

“It’s always important to fine-tune things and truly understand what helps your partner feel most supported,” Lovell says. “Instead of guessing, you should ask.”

Lovell recalls a moment during the birth of his first child when he had to take that role.

During the delivery, “I felt like something wasn’t as sanitary as I’d like it to be,” he says. “I asked, ‘Hey, can you switch those out? Can you change your gloves?’”

Lovell has a succinct but powerful message he regularly shares with clients’ families, and he shared it with attendees at last month’s event.

“Just to believe women,” he says. “I’ve worked with different couples, and sometimes I’m not really sure that there’s enough empathy from the men.”

That includes how women express pain.

“If a woman says, ‘my pain is at a nine,’ just because how you would express yourself at a nine is different than how she’s expressing herself at [that level] doesn’t mean you shouldn’t believe her,” he says.

Empathy, he says, can change outcomes far beyond the delivery room.

“We’ve got to believe women when they’re talking about their experiences and their feelings and their pain,” he says. “I think there’s a lot that we can prevent if we empathize better.”

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Future of Florida’s Black History Museum in Limbo

JACKSONVILLE FREE PRESS — A proposal sponsored by Tom Leek, a Republican from Ormond Beach, has now passed the Senate in back-to-back legislative sessions. But the House version, filed by Kiyan Michael, a Jacksonville Republican, did not receive final approval in either year, effectively stalling the effort.

Published

2 weeks ago

March 24, 2026

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Jacksonville Free Press

Plans to establish a long-awaited Black history museum in Florida are once again on hold after legislation needed to advance the project failed to clear the state House for a second consecutive year, despite repeated approval in the Senate.

A proposal sponsored by Tom Leek, a Republican from Ormond Beach, has now passed the Senate in back-to-back legislative sessions. But the House version, filed by Kiyan Michael, a Jacksonville Republican, did not receive final approval in either year, effectively stalling the effort.

Under Florida law, identical or similar bills must pass both chambers before heading to the governor’s desk. Without House approval, the legislation has been unable to move forward, leaving the project in limbo. Long journey, contested location.

The proposed museum, formally known as the Florida Museum of Black History, has been years in the making, with lawmakers and community leaders framing it as a long-overdue institution to preserve and showcase the state’s African American heritage .A central point of contention has been the museum’s location. St. Augustine — widely recognized as the nation’s oldest city and a site deeply tied to both slavery and early Black history — emerged as the leading contender. Supporters argue the city’s historical significance makes it a natural home for the museum. However, competing interests and regional considerations have fueled debate, slowing consensus among lawmakers.

While the Senate-backed measure has consistently advanced, the lack of alignment in the House has underscored ongoing divisions about how and where the project should take shape.

The holdup in the Florida House appears to be less about opposition to the museum itself and more about a combination of procedural bottlenecks, unresolved structural issues, and lingering disagreements over how the project should be formalized and governed.

Despite the legislative setbacks, Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has publicly voiced support for the museum. Speaking last month during the unveiling of a statue of abolitionist Frederick Douglass in St. Augustine, DeSantis said the project would move forward “one way or another,” signaling an intent to see the museum built regardless of legislative hurdles.

The anticipated museum has already cleared several hurdles. St. Johns County signed an agreement last year with Florida Memorial University to use the land that once housed its campus last year’s legislative session netted $1 million in funding for St. Johns County to work on planning and design for the museum. However, its anticipated that a million $3 million is needed.

Still, without statutory approval to finalize key components — including governance, funding mechanisms and site selection — the project remains largely conceptual.
With the House bill failing again, the timeline for the museum’s development is unclear. Lawmakers could revisit the proposal in the next legislative session, but any further delays risk pushing the project back several more years. Advocates warn that continued inaction could stall momentum for a museum many see as critical to telling a fuller, more accurate story of Florida’s past. For now, the effort remains paused — caught between political support at the top and legislative gridlock within the Capitol.