Kinder Institute for Urban Research

08/31/2026

🏙️ Renting in Houston is a bargain compared to the high prices of New York City, Chicago and San Diego. But that doesn’t mean Houston is more affordable for residents.

A Kinder Institute analysis shows 55% of Houston renters are cost-burdened — ranking 2nd among the 10 largest U.S. cities.

Renting in Houston is a bargain compared to the high prices of New York City, Chicago and San Diego. But that doesn’t mean Houston is more affordable for residents.

08/26/2026

🍏 New Kinder Institute research finds stark disparities in food insecurity among Harris County families with children.

Explore where the burden is greatest, who is most affected and five data-driven strategies to strengthen food security across the region.

Nationally, food insecurity — the lack of reliable access to enough affordable, nutritious food — affects about 1 in 5 households with children. Drawing on a spring 2024 survey of over 5,200 Harris County residents, this study finds the local number to be significantly higher and examines how lo...

08/24/2026

🏠 Where are Houston evictions highest? A Kinder Institute analysis of Harris County housing data reveals disparities across local neighborhoods.

In Harris County, more than 76,000 eviction filings occurred in 2024 — averaging nine filings for every 100 renter households. In neighborhoods like Cypress Creek North, that rate jumps to more than three times the countywide average.

Read the 2026 State of Housing report: https://kinder.rice.edu/research/2026-state-housing-harris-county-and-houston

08/19/2026

🏠 A new Kinder Institute report shows Texas homeowners insurance premiums jumped 74% between 2009 and 2024 after adjusting for inflation, while median household incomes grew just 11%.

Average annual insurance premiums reached nearly $3,000 in 2024. For lower- and moderate-income residents, insurance costs now consume nearly 6% of their annual earnings, making insurance a primary driver of the state's growing housing affordability crisis.

Read more in the Urban Edge: https://kinder.rice.edu/urbanedge/homeowners-insurance-premiums-continue-spike-these-texans-pay-biggest-price

08/14/2026

The Kinder Institute’s Center for Community and Public Health recently held its first in-person community advisory board meeting for a new Alzheimer’s early detection project in Houston.

This research partnership brings together advisory board members, collaborators and local leaders to identify barriers to early diagnosis and develop practical, community-informed strategies that make brain health screenings and support more accessible.

This first meeting was an important step in ensuring the project is shaped by the lived experiences and priorities of the communities we hope to serve. The board discussed the cultural, social, structural and healthcare challenges that affect how individuals and families navigate dementia care and memory support resources.

We are deeply grateful to our community advisory board members and collaborators for sharing their time, perspectives and commitment to advancing health equity.

💜 The Alzheimer’s early detection project is supported by a Rice University seed grant.

08/13/2026

After adjusting for inflation, the average homeowners insurance premium in the median Texas county rose 74% between 2009 and 2024. Median household income, on the other hand, rose 11%.

Texas 2036 partnered with the Kinder Institute for Urban Research to better understand what happened to the cost — and what it means for Texas homeowners.

Tracy Ayrhart breaks it down at the link in our comments. 💬

08/10/2026

🏠 How much are rising insurance costs impacting Texas families? New research from the Kinder Institute shows homeowners insurance premiums are hitting lower-earning residents hardest.

See how costs have changed over the years in the Urban Edge:

Fast-rising homeowners insurance costs are eating into a larger part of virtually all Texans’ budgets — with lower-moderate-income residents particularly feeling the pain.

08/04/2026

🏠 A sweeping set of new federal laws aimed at lowering the cost of housing will help some Houstonians in the coming years. But don’t expect much change to affordability or residential construction as a result of the bill.

Kinder Institute researchers and housing advocates cautioned that the new legislation, known as the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, contains a set of legal updates and new programs that will have minimal to modest effect on the Houston area.

A much-anticipated federal housing bill enacted by Congress could make it easier for some Houstonians to buy homes and remove a handful of barriers to new construction, but the sweeping legislation is unlikely to dramatically change the region's housing market anytime soon, Kinder Institute research...

07/28/2026

📉 As fewer Houston-area residents qualify for SNAP, local food pantries are seeing greater demand. The Urban Edge explores what changing eligibility rules could mean for local food access.

Each week, more than 550 individuals typically show up to Christ the King Episcopal Church in Mission Bend, picking up food during one of the nonprofit’s two distribution days. The count has more than doubled in the past year, said Mission Bells director and pantry manager Vas Kenyen.

07/24/2026

Every year, the Kinder Institute provides localized data to help strengthen housing stability. The 2026 State of Housing report breaks down affordability, policy factors, and the political will needed to shape local solutions.

Full report: https://kinder.rice.edu/research/2026-state-housing-harris-county-and-houston