A Little Louder

Latest Episodes:

Episode 9: Galveston's Subsidized Housing Crisis May 03, 2019

Show notes

Since Hurricane Ike hit Galveston in 2008, critical public housing units have been lost and never rebuilt. Add the shortage of apartments and homes affordable to many people working service jobs on the island, and this is the making of a housing crisis. On top of that, a housing complex subsidized by the federal government has failed to provide decent, safe, and sanitary housing, according to its residents. Texas Housers talks to community navigator Ericka Bowman who has been engaging Sandpiper residents, as well as Sarah Smith of the Houston Chronicle about her coverage of the apartment complex. John and Christina also discuss a language justice campaign in the Rio Grande Valley.

Transcript of Episode 9

Episode 8: CDBG 101 Apr 19, 2019

Show notes

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is one of the longest-running programs administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. When it works well, it has the potential to address poverty and blight and revitalize communities in ways that reflect the priorities of the people who live there. But sometimes, too many political interests and not enough oversight plague the effectiveness of the program. John Henneberger and Karen Paup, co-directors of Texas Housers, discuss how advocates and community members can help steer CDBG back on track to its original goals to serve low-income communities.

Transcript of Episode 8

Episode 7: The struggle for neighborhood history, the fight for neighborhood future Apr 05, 2019

Show notes

In episode 7, Texas Housers interviews members of the 10th Street Residential Association who discuss their experience in preserving their historical status and their continued struggle to ensure the future of their neighborhood, settled more than a century ago by freed slaves. The neighborhood group has filed a lawsuit against the City of Dallas, asserting that "[t]he City of Dallas's policies and practices have racially segregated the Tenth Street neighborhood for many decades." The community is asking for the same privileges and investment other historical white neighborhoods in Dallas have received.

Transcript for Episode 7

Episode 6: The Houser guide to the 86th Texas Legislature Mar 15, 2019

Show notes

In episode 6, Texas Housers highlights some noteworthy housing bills proposed in the 2019 legislative session. Some promote quality housing and tenant rights. Others not so much. We also discuss low-income housing tax credit corruption and shortages in affordable housing.

Transcript for Episode 6

Episode 5: Lubbock and the people's pursuit for equal air Mar 01, 2019

Show notes

In episode 5, we take a deep dive into how segregation caused Black and Latino neighborhoods to be trapped near industry and pollution. We talk to residents fighting for environmental justice.

Transcript of Episode 5

Episode 4: Home matters Feb 15, 2019

Show notes

In episode 4, Texas Housers discusses the importance of housing mobility and how where you live can change the trajectory of your life. We interview Beth Legg, a fair housing planner, and Martha Sanchez, an organizer in the Rio Grande Valley.

Transcript of Episode 4

Episode 3: How to avoid disaster recovery Groundhog Day Feb 01, 2019

Show notes

In episode 3, Texas Housers discusses how disaster recovery can be vastly improved by a "precovery" plan – that is, planning for recovery, even before the natural disaster hits. A bill proposed in the Texas legislature could help communities do just that. Guests include: Houston resident Deetra Harris; Nick Mitchell-Bennett, executive director of the Community Development Corporation of Brownsville; and Professor Shannon Van Zandt of the Texas A&M Hazard Reduction and Recovery Center.

Transcript of Episode 3

Episode 2: Integration Now: How inclusive communities promote options and opportunity Jan 10, 2019

Show notes

In episode 2, Demetria McCain of the Inclusive Communities Project talks about integration and people's right to choose where to live. John and Christina discuss how private equity is changing homeownership and the real crisis at the border.

Transcript for Episode 2

Episode 1: What Clarksville can teach us about community preservation and displacement Jan 03, 2019

Show notes

In A Little Louder's first episode, we discuss Opportunity Zones, freedmen's settlement north of Houston struggling with attrition and lack of investment, and how Austin's Clarksville has changed from a culturally rooted freedmen's settlement with no roads or public lighting into a white, affluent neighborhood near downtown Austin.

Transcript for Episode 1

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