UPDATE: Houston City Council is set to vote today on a groundbreaking ordinance aimed at holding substandard apartment complexes accountable. If approved, the measure will create a public “naughty list” to shame poorly maintained properties into improving conditions for residents.
Today, October 25, 2023, Council Member Letitia Plummer announced that nearly half of Houston’s 5,000 apartment complexes—approximately 2,500—fail to meet the state’s habitability standards. This urgent reform targets the city’s dire housing situation, which affects countless residents.
The proposed ordinance calls for the establishment of the Apartment Standards Enforcement Committee (ASEC), designed to unify efforts from various departments including health, solid waste, and fire services. For the first time, these agencies will collaborate to address apartment health and safety violations, which have been historically managed in isolation.
As part of this initiative, ASEC will publish a list of the “top five worst complexes,” which will be updated every six months. Properties appearing on this list will have six months to rectify complaints, with immediate attention given to emergencies like lack of running water.
Plummer emphasized the intention behind the list, stating, “You’re going on the naughty list and everyone in the city of Houston will know!” This initiative aims to create urgency for landlords to comply with safety standards, thereby protecting residents from hazardous living conditions.
Residents like Shemekia Brooks, who has faced issues with rats and mold in her Sunnyside apartments, expressed overwhelming support for the ordinance. “That needs to happen. They need to pass that bill as soon as possible,” she stated, highlighting the urgent need for change.
The council’s vote today is a pivotal moment for Houston’s housing reform. If passed, this ordinance could significantly improve living conditions for thousands of residents struggling with unsafe apartments.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story, as the council’s decision could reshape housing standards in Houston and address long-standing issues affecting its communities.
