Empowering Communities: Columbia Tap Housing and Economic Opportunity Workshop

On Saturday, April 27th, the Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Justice at Texas Southern University (Bullard Center) played host to a pivotal event—the Columbia Tap Housing and Economic Opportunity Workshop. A partnership with the University of Houston Community Design Resource Center (CDRC) and Friends of Columbia Tap, the workshop saw over 80 residents and partners convene for a day of insightful discussions and collaborative planning.

At the heart of the workshop was the soft launch of the City of Houston's first-ever Affordable Housing Dashboard, a groundbreaking initiative designed by Dr. Ryan Ramphul and his GIS Lab at the UTHealth School of Public Health. This innovative tool, centered around the Columbia Tap Trail Corridor and its surrounding neighborhoods, provides a proof of concept for future replication and expansion. Dr. Ramphul's presentation showcased the dashboard's features, including property statuses, ownership information, demographic data, and more, empowering communities with valuable insights for advocacy and decision-making.

The workshop coordinators, Bullard Center Graduate Research Assistant Ed Pettitt and Community Engagement Exchange (CEE) Fellow Jeannette Iranzi, expressed their satisfaction with the turnout and engagement. Pettitt stated, "The workshop was a huge success. Plenty of great ideas, comments, and insights from some of the finest community advocates in the city!" Iranzi reflected on the success of the workshop, saying, "The Columbia Tap Housing and Economic Opportunity Workshop exemplifies the power of collaboration and community-driven initiatives. It was inspiring to see residents and partners come together to discuss pressing issues and work towards meaningful solutions."

Marcelo Gary, a CEE Fellow from Bolivia who assisted with event planning on behalf of Friends of Columbia Tap, emphasized the importance of engaging residents themselves who live on the Columbia Tap Trail, particularly those who are living in or seeking affordable housing and economic opportunity. He remarked, "The Columbia Tap Housing and Economic Opportunity Workshop underscores the crucial role of directly involving residents who reside along the Columbia Tap Trail, especially those who are navigating the challenges of affordable housing and seeking economic opportunities. It was inspiring to witness firsthand their insights and contributions towards shaping a more inclusive and equitable future for the community."

Residents echoed these sentiments, with one participant describing the event as "an absolutely stellar event" that provided an invigorating platform for discussion and collaboration. Another praised the Resident Voices panel for its representation of the Greater Third Ward community, emphasizing the importance of sharing perspectives.

Throughout the day, attendees achieved the goals outlined in the draft agenda, including expanded partnerships, balanced representation, effective facilitation, exploration of policy and programs, identification of economic opportunities, and insightful panel discussions. Susan Rogers, Director of the CDRC, commended the workshop's success, noting its contribution to the forthcoming Columbia Tap Trail Action Plan.

Panel discussions delved into the housing and economic development policy landscape, featuring esteemed speakers such as Dr. Holloway from the Houston Housing Collaborative and Mr. Rackleff, a housing advocate with extensive experience in both public and private sectors. The Resident Voices panel provided poignant insights into the lived experiences of community members, highlighting the importance of preserving neighborhoods and advocating for equitable housing policies.

Workshop sessions allowed for in-depth exploration of vision for policy, programs, and resources, as well as place-based strategies for housing and economic opportunity. Attendees actively participated in discussions, contributing diverse perspectives and ideas for future action.

As the day concluded, Pettitt and Iranzi led the report out, summarizing key takeaways and outlining next steps. Attendees were encouraged to provide feedback on the Affordable Housing Dashboard (beta version) and to join the upcoming 3rd Ward on Tap Festival on May 11th.

The Columbia Tap Housing and Economic Opportunity Workshop demonstrated the power of community collaboration and collective action. By harnessing the tools and insights generated at the workshop, residents and partners are poised to drive positive change and advance housing and economic opportunities throughout Houston.

*For more information and resources from the workshop, including the Affordable Housing Dashboard, presentation slides, and upcoming events, please follow Friends of Columbia Tap*