Houston City Council Fails to Pass Ordinance Targeting High-Risk Apartments
In a disappointing move, the Houston City Council has failed to pass an ordinance aimed at holding poorly run apartment complexes accountable for their living conditions. The proposed measure, which would require high-risk buildings to register with the city and work with a special committee to address health and safety issues, has been under consideration since 2021.
Despite numerous revisions and a commitment from Mayor John Whitmire to move forward as quickly as possible, council members have expressed concerns about the effectiveness of the ordinance. Houston City Councilmember Letitia Plummer, who spearheaded the effort, acknowledged that there is still work to be done, saying "It's a good document... People are understanding the urgency."
The ordinance would classify apartment complexes as high risk if they rank in the top five for 3-1-1 helpline complaints and have 10 health or safety citations within a year. These buildings would then be given six months to address complaints while working with the committee.
Critics of the proposal have raised questions about how exactly the ordinance will be enforced, which apartments will be singled out, and if enough will be singled out. Councilmember Plummer acknowledged these concerns but emphasized that she is pleased with how the document is shaping up.
The city council's failure to pass the ordinance comes as a surprise, given Mayor Whitmire's commitment to moving forward on the issue. Last month, the city council voted to temporarily delay a final vote, and this week, there was debate about the timing of bringing the measure to a vote.
The proposed ordinance has been seen as a crucial step in addressing the growing problem of substandard housing in Houston. The city's 3-1-1 helpline receives thousands of complaints each year, many of which are related to concerns about living conditions in apartment complexes.
As the ordinance remains stalled, critics and supporters alike are left wondering if the issue will be addressed anytime soon. With Councilmember Plummer stepping down next week to run for Harris County Judge, it is unclear who will take up the mantle and push forward with the proposed measure.
In a disappointing move, the Houston City Council has failed to pass an ordinance aimed at holding poorly run apartment complexes accountable for their living conditions. The proposed measure, which would require high-risk buildings to register with the city and work with a special committee to address health and safety issues, has been under consideration since 2021.
Despite numerous revisions and a commitment from Mayor John Whitmire to move forward as quickly as possible, council members have expressed concerns about the effectiveness of the ordinance. Houston City Councilmember Letitia Plummer, who spearheaded the effort, acknowledged that there is still work to be done, saying "It's a good document... People are understanding the urgency."
The ordinance would classify apartment complexes as high risk if they rank in the top five for 3-1-1 helpline complaints and have 10 health or safety citations within a year. These buildings would then be given six months to address complaints while working with the committee.
Critics of the proposal have raised questions about how exactly the ordinance will be enforced, which apartments will be singled out, and if enough will be singled out. Councilmember Plummer acknowledged these concerns but emphasized that she is pleased with how the document is shaping up.
The city council's failure to pass the ordinance comes as a surprise, given Mayor Whitmire's commitment to moving forward on the issue. Last month, the city council voted to temporarily delay a final vote, and this week, there was debate about the timing of bringing the measure to a vote.
The proposed ordinance has been seen as a crucial step in addressing the growing problem of substandard housing in Houston. The city's 3-1-1 helpline receives thousands of complaints each year, many of which are related to concerns about living conditions in apartment complexes.
As the ordinance remains stalled, critics and supporters alike are left wondering if the issue will be addressed anytime soon. With Councilmember Plummer stepping down next week to run for Harris County Judge, it is unclear who will take up the mantle and push forward with the proposed measure.
! IT MAKES SENSE THAT THERE WERE CONCERNS ABOUT ENFORCEMENT AND WHO'D BE AFFECTED, BUT I GUESS YOU CAN'T PREPARE FOR EVERYTHING. I MEAN, THE 3-1-1 HELPLINE GETS THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS EACH YEAR ALREADY... IT'S LIKE WE'RE TRYING TO TURN OVER A NEW LEAF HERE 
BUT SERIOUSLY, WHO'S GOING TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING SURE THESE BUILDINGS GET FIXED UP? 
councilmember plummer is doing a good job trying to get it done, but they gotta figure out the logistics on how to enforce this ordinance. wont be able to pinpoint which apartments are bad and stuff just yet. might need some more tweaks before it gets passed. 
honestly tho... it's kinda weird that council members are more worried about enforcing this ordinance than actually solving the problem 
. like, what's taking so long?! we've been hearing about substandard housing in houston for years and nothin's been done 
. councilmember plummer says she's pleased with how the doc is shaping up but it feels like just more lip service 
. and now that she's stepping down... who's gonna pick up the torch?