We have a large homeless population in Houston, but it pales in comparison to cities in the west and northwest of this country. The problem of homelessness is a complicated and multifaceted one, and I don't pretend to understand it completely or have the ultimate solution.
When we face a large and complex problem, we sometimes have the tendency to just think that I, as an individual, can do nothing to help solve the problem. But perhaps if we all do our small part, we can help alleviate some of the pain and suffering of the homeless.
How Can an Individual Help?
You can contribute to organizations that help the homeless such as the Coalition for the Homeless. If you are not financially able, you can volunteer your time and energy. If you are really fortunate, perhaps you own real estate that can be used by government or nonprofit organizations that provide housing through grants or vouchers.
Of all the things in my life that I am grateful for, having a place to call home is always at the top of my list. I want that for everyone. It is a human right.
January 15, 2022
Today's very important reminders are from my guest author.
Janice Newsum
TEXAS PRIMARY VOTING TIPS
January 31, 2022 is the last day to register to vote for the March 1, 2022 Primary Election. Vote by mail – call for your vote by mail application (received, not postmarked) or apply online on your County Elections website (in Harris County, harrisvotes.com) by February 18, 2022. Mail in ballots will not be sent to you automatically anymore.
Early voting will be held February 14th to February 25th. Vote early to avoid long lines on election day (March 1, 2022). Only 375 polling places available.
Vote down the ballot!! Many important races are toward the
bottom of the ballot. Know the candidates, go to ballotpedia.org,
vote411.org or your County Clerk website (Harris County,
Make sure you are still on the voting rolls (in Harris County go to https://www.harrisvotes.com/voterregistration/search) and bring the proper identification with you. There are new ID requirements for voting by mail. Here is a list of the acceptable forms of photo ID for in person voting:
Texas driver license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS
Texas personal identification card issued by DPS
Texas license to carry a handgun issued by DPS
United States military identification card containing the person’s photograph
United States citizenship certificate containing the person’s photograph
United States passport (book or card)
With the exception of the U.S. Citizenship Certificate, which does not expire, for voters aged 18-69, the acceptable form of photo identification may be expired no more than four years before being presented for voter qualification at the polling place. For voters aged 70 or older, the acceptable form of photo identification may be expired for any length of time if the identification is otherwise valid.
Busted water pipes? Trash dumped illegally? Potholes?
While these problems may seem to be emergencies to us at times, calling 911 is only for life-threatening incidents that include police, fire, or medical health emergencies. However, the City of Houston does have a number you can call when the health and safety of residents are compromised in your neighborhood.
The City of Houston 311 help and information number is for those problems that are an on-going hazard. Citizens can also call 311 if they simply want information about city services. The phone number to the office is 713-837-0311 if you call outside the city.
If you know of a home in your neighborhood that is a health and safety hazard because of trash accumulation that can cause rodent and other health hazards, 311 is the number to call. If you have potholes or other problems that can cause traffic problems and are safety hazards, this is the number to call.
In addition to calling 311, you can download the app. For information on all of the services of the 311 department, the webpage is www.houston311.org. You can also email the department at 311@houstonTX.gov. If you can find a FAX (or remember how to use one) the FAX number is 713-837-0210.
It is the responsibility of the City of Houston and its citizens to keep our neighborhoods safe and healthy. Let's all do our part.
Nearly 158.4 million votes were cast in the 2020 presidential election, or put another way 6 in 10 voting age, eligible voters participated in the federal election. Despite the biggest increase in voter participation in four decades, America ranks 24th out of 35 developed countries in election participation according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (Desilver, 2021). The adage that all politics are local is a reference to the plethora of municipal elections that happen in the years between federal elections.
Special runoff elections for Texas House Districts 10 and 118 were held in September 2021 and on November 2, 2021 there will be a Constitutional Amendment Special Election. Early voting in Harris County for the November 2 election began on October 18, 2021 and will continue through October 29, 2021. For further information on each of the 8 amendments visit https://lwvtexas.org/. Additional information on upcoming Texas elections can be found at https://www.vote411.org/texas.
In addition to the 8 Texas Constitutional Amendments, elections in other counties include:
MONTGOMERY COUNTY:
8 Texas Constitutional Amendments
Cleveland ISD Bond
New Caney ISD Trustee Election
Tomball ISD Bond Election
City of Patton Village Mayor and Council Member
City of Splendora, Mayor and Council Member
City of Woodbranch Village, Mayor and Council Member
The Woodlands Township General Election and Special Election
Montgomery County Water Control
East Plantation Utility District Bond Election
Montgomery County Municipal Utility District 8, 95 and 201 Bond
River Plantation Municipal Utility District Special Election
Woodland Utility District #1
Roman Forest Public Utility #4, Plum Cree District #1A
An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is a smaller living unit that is placed on the same lot as a single family home. While historically prevalent, these dwellings fell out of favor as subdivisions proliferated throughout the country. The additional dwelling is considered part of the original property, and cannot be sold separately. With affordable housing inventory decreasing across the country, some cities are relaxing restrictions on units and even encouraging construction of garage apartments, mother-in-law flats, tiny cottages, etc.
As taxes and other expenses increase, homeowners can add to their incomes to offset some of these costs, especially in high property tax cities such as Houston.
As cities relax restrictions on ADU construction, it is very important that dwellings meet building codes and are permitted through the regular city process. Also, some subdivisions and HOAs have additional restrictions that must be followed. So be sure to check with the city and your HOA before starting construction.
There are other advantages of ADUs besides the financial benefits. One important benefit is maintaining the character and aesthetic of the neighborhood. Sometimes older homes are replaced with large or unconventional homes that completely change the look and feel of the community. And certainly, adding a space for a family member or caretaker on the property may allow older residents to age in place in their homes.
The City of Houston has been offering virtual workshops to inform residents about permit and building requirements. The third workshop will be offered on Tuesday, October 26 at 6 p.m. If you missed the first two workshops, you can find them on YouTube.
According to a joint investigative report by ProPublica and The New Yorker, approximately 3.5 million acres of land (about one-third) owned by African-Americans is heirs' property.
What is heirs' property? Basically heirs' property is the result of land owners dying intestate - without a will - and the land passed on to next of kin. Through the generations, all of the descendants own the land jointly (tenants in common) and have a fractional, or undivided, interest. As the years pass, the fractional interest grows smaller and smaller as a new generation is added to the list of heirs.
Because there is no clear title, the land cannot be collateralized for bank loans. Owners are also prevented from receiving federal disaster relief and cannot participate in government programs such as the Farm Loan Program. Consequently, many owners found that others in the group could not or would not pay for taxes and/or upkeep.
Though most people believe that all of the heirs have to agree in order to sell the land, actually the opposite is true. One person in the group can force a sale or sell his/her interest to a speculator who can force a sale. Whether a judge forces a sale for taxes or a lone owner forces a sale, the sale is done quickly. Speculators take advantage of extremely low prices because the land is not sold on an open and competitive market.
After many years of this disenfranchisement flying under the radar, many recognized that this is a serious civil-rights issue that has lead to massive wealth loss for black families.
Thomas W. Mitchell, a professor at Texas A & M School of Law and the 2020 winner of the MacArthur Foundation Genius Award, is the author of the The Uniform Partition of Heir Property Law. The law passed in 2010 addresses some of the complexities created by heirs' property. Judges are now required to address additional problems besides economics, such as history and cultural identity. The goal is to keep the property together or partition the property to individuals; either solution culminating with full fee simple titles.
Under the new law, one person can no longer force a sale. If for some reason the property must be sold, the owners must employ a Realtor, have the property appraised, and place the property on the open market.
If you find yourself with a fractional interest in heirs' property, there a few things to keep in mind.
*Try to communicate with all of the people who have a fractional interest in the real estate.
*If you want to keep the land, be sure that taxes are paid and other financial obligations and regulations are met so that ownership is not put in jeopardy.
*If you want to sell the land, be sure to find a Realtor who will market your land and find a buyer who will pay the highest price for the highest and best use of the land.
*Most importantly, if you own real estate, be sure to write a will! Consult an attorney if you have any questions.
Land ownership has been proven to be the best way to create generational wealth. This is one of the reasons that the wealth of African-Americans is one tenth of the wealth of white families in this country.
