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A Little Louder

A Little Louder

By Texas Housers

A Little Louder is a podcast by Texas Housers, hosted by John Henneberger. We talk about fair housing, community development and community efforts to work toward just cities and inclusive neighborhoods.
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Buzz Session 4: Justices of the Peace are ignoring tenant protections

A Little LouderMay 06, 2022

00:00
23:50
Episode 61: Unmasking Ownership at Problem Properties

Episode 61: Unmasking Ownership at Problem Properties

Over the past six months, Texas Housers has spotlighted the stories of uninhabitable conditions and mass evictions at Cabo San Lucas apartments in Houston and the ensuing barriers tenants faced to remain housed

Our work led us to investigate who actually owns Cabo San Lucas, yet no one seems to know. While our outreach team worked with tenants in Houston, our research team had coincidentally been at work to find information on property owners who attempt to escape accountability by filing as a "single property LLC".


To tie this all together, Housers research analyst Sidney Beaty joins the podcast to talk about how problem properties utilize these loopholes and what we can do to bring these owners to the light.

Feb 29, 202422:22
Episode 60: Tenant's Rights From Nepal To Denton

Episode 60: Tenant's Rights From Nepal To Denton

While most folks in the housing justice community have a strong idea of how tenant's rights and evictions shape our broader world, Andrew Nelson, Associate Professor for Department of Anthropology at University of North Texas offers a unique perspective in how the fight for these essential rights globally affected his advocacy in Denton.


On this episode, we discuss what works across our globe to gain rights, what his team has observed in Denton courts, and what cultural shift will be required to make Texas a tenant-friendly state.

Jan 26, 202442:23
Episode 59: How do we fix what renters are facing in San Antonio?

Episode 59: How do we fix what renters are facing in San Antonio?

Annually, Texas Housers' team in San Antonio releases its San Antonio District Renter Profiles to deliver a snapshot of how affordable rental housing is distributed across the city, what are the tenant demographics of each city council district, and newly added for this year, how evictions come into play for San Antonio households.


South Texas Regional Director Mia Loseff joins the show to discuss the findings of the renter profiles and how we can improve the lives of low-income tenants not just in SA, but across our state.

Nov 30, 202333:08
Episode 58: How Texas renters live under extreme heat
Oct 04, 202333:03
Episode 57: Six years past Harvey, recovery troubles remain

Episode 57: Six years past Harvey, recovery troubles remain

Hurricane Harvey hit the Texas Coast six years ago this week, back in 2017. And though certain immediate response efforts were swift, the actual recovery has been a long and frustrating process for far too many. Not only are some residents still awaiting funding to make their homes whole again, numerous others have been classified as helped by the Texas General Land Office and have been left behind altogether.

Texas Housers' Southeast Texas Regional Director Julia Orduña joins the show to talk about her work with households recovering from Harvey, how the State wants to take money away from recovery to fund a different program they already had proper funding for, and what we are doing to fix this in 2023.

Did you experience Hurricane Harvey? Tell us your recovery story!

https://bit.ly/HarveySurveyTH

Aug 31, 202328:54
Episode 56: Mass evictions at Cabo San Lucas

Episode 56: Mass evictions at Cabo San Lucas

On this episode of A Little Louder, host Michael Depland is joined by Texas Housers' community navigator Taylor Laredo, Litigation Director at Lone Star Legal Aid Dana Karni, and Texas Legal Services Center staff attorney William Ritter to discuss a Houston property that had planned to evict more than 100 households at once, with many not receiving the basic documents such as a notice to vacate in a proper manner or – in some cases – at all.

We explore what we witnessed while visiting the Cabo San Lucas Apartments, what occured at the eviction hearings, and what we must do to prevent these mass evictions in the future.

Aug 18, 202351:56
Episode 55: 2023 Texas Legislature Mega Wrap Up And What Comes Next
Jun 30, 202346:52
Episode 54: Highway Expansion and Stop TxDOT I-45 in Houston
May 31, 202334:11
Episode 53: Midway Update at the 88th Session

Episode 53: Midway Update at the 88th Session

In this halftime report from the 88th Session of the Texas Legislature, or maybe a little later in the game, Texas Housers' research director Ben Martin joins the show to provide updates on bills regarding eviction preemption, funding for renters, and other tenant protections. Also, Ben and Michael discuss how renters can make themselves seen as equally as homeowners at the State Capitol.

Apr 18, 202331:18
Episode 52: From Eviction Courts to the Capitol (Part 2)

Episode 52: From Eviction Courts to the Capitol (Part 2)

A Little Louder is back to talk about the latest in housing from the 88th Session. Texas Housers has been tracking a number of specific bills at the 2023 Texas Legislature that directly impact those who interface with the eviction process. Jessica Vittorio, managing attorney at the Dallas Eviction Advocacy Center, has a unique perspective as someone who both works in Justice of the Peace courts as well as at the Texas Legislature in order to bring balance and equity for tenants in the eviction process. In this episode, we are talking about proposed legislation that could preempt great strides made locally here in Texas as well as other more positive opportunities to give renters in this state rights which are enjoyed almost everywhere else in our country.

Mar 22, 202331:05
Episode 51: Housers and Allies at the Capitol (Part 1)

Episode 51: Housers and Allies at the Capitol (Part 1)

This supersized episode of A Little Louder features two special guests to talk about bills affecting low-income households at the 88th session of the Texas Legislature. Eric Samuels, President and CEO of Texas Homeless Network and Tanya Lavelle, Policy Specialist from Disability Rights Texas each have worked in the Texas Legislature (and beside Texas Housers) for many years and both joined the show to talk about the legislation they are championing that will help low-income households, what they are optimistic about following a down 2021 session, and how everyone can get involved in the legislative process.

Feb 28, 202345:54
Episode 50: What's happening in housing at the 2023 Texas Legislature?
Jan 20, 202336:07
Buzz Session 7: How did ERA really perform in Texas?

Buzz Session 7: How did ERA really perform in Texas?

The Department of Treasury launched its Emergency Rental Assistance Program in March of 2021 with Texas receiving $2.4 billion dollars to aid with families and individuals struggling to stay housed during the pandemic. Now nearly 18 months later, Texas Housers has observed the manner in which the State of Texas and 37 localities within have distributed this essential rental assistance and closely reviewed 10 major programs in our latest report ‘Emergency Rental Assistance in Texas: How it went and what happens now.’

On today's Buzz Session of A Little Louder, we hear from the report's author, research analyst Erin Hahn, to ask her how the ERA program was seen in different regions of Texas, how the Federal government's hands off approach had pros and cons, and what should be done to prevent displacement and evictions in the future using lessons from this program.

You can read the report on our blog and keep posted here on Texas Housers' website for a companion report on evictions in January.

Dec 13, 202215:12
Episode 49: Let's meet Texas Tenants For Change

Episode 49: Let's meet Texas Tenants For Change

This week, Texas Housers communications manager Michael Depland speaks with two members of Texas Tenants For Change – Myra and Beeper. The two Houser Academy fellows talk about what went into forming a group, their common experiences as tenants despite living hundreds of miles away, and what they hope to accomplish with their foray into statewide advocacy, including their petition for tenants' rights and livestreams to give voice to renters everywhere.


You can find the group's petition here and join Texas Tenants For Change on their next livestream on Dec. 1.

Nov 23, 202227:39
Buzz Session 6: Breaking Down The QAP in 2023
Oct 07, 202218:44
Buzz Session 5: Managing Code Violations in San Antonio
Sep 08, 202213:22
Episode 48: Five Years Later, Harvey Forgotten Survivors Caucus Speaks
Sep 02, 202232:46
Episode 47: Homeowners Association fights against affordable housing

Episode 47: Homeowners Association fights against affordable housing

John welcomes Ann Lott from Inclusive Communities Project in Dallas as well as our advocacy director David Wheaton to talk about a troubling trend starting in Denton regarding Homeowners Associations. The local HOA for Providence Village determined last month that housing choice vouchers will no longer be accepted in their community and landlords who do will be fined for doing so. The bulk of recipients of HCVs in the area are Black families and the majority population of Providence Village are white, non-hispanic families.

After major pushback from county officials, the situation on the ground has shifted, but voucher holders in Providence Village are still in danger of displacement. Ann tells gives us the details of what is happening in North Texas, and how ICP, Texas Housers, and local residents are fighting back against this discrimination and civil rights violation.

Jul 01, 202227:26
Episode 46: Intro to the Houser Academy

Episode 46: Intro to the Houser Academy

On this episode, John welcomes Texas Housers educator Riley Metcalfe to the show to talk about the Houser Academy, our tenant-focused initiative centered on gathering budding advocates from around the state to consolidate people power. We explore the origins of the Houser Academy, what this second year of the project is seeking to accomplish, and how Texas Housers wants newcomers to get involved.

Jun 17, 202228:45
Episode 45: Texas GLO and Discrimination

Episode 45: Texas GLO and Discrimination

John is joined by Texas Housers' Advocacy Director David Wheaton on this episode to discuss the recent final determination from the Department of Housing and Urban Development that the Texas General Land Office discriminated against Black and Hispanic Texans in their distribution of CDBG-MIT funds to protect their neighborhoods from future storms and disasters. John and David break down the creation of these dollars, how the discrimination happened, and what needs to come next to protect these neglected communities.

May 19, 202235:54
Buzz Session 4: Justices of the Peace are ignoring tenant protections

Buzz Session 4: Justices of the Peace are ignoring tenant protections

For this Buzz Session episode, John is joined by Texas Housers' Tori Tavormina and Erin Hahn who both are observing eviction court in Houston and San Antonio respectively. What they are seeing there is that while tenant protections exist for those who are receiving rent relief, they are not necessarily observed. We dive deep into what's happening and what needs to come next for eviction court.

May 06, 202223:50
Episode 44: Issues with Texas Rent Relief

Episode 44: Issues with Texas Rent Relief

On this episode, John explores issues we have heard personally, as well as in the media, regarding the Texas Rent Relief program. While it has been stellar in distributing funds quickly to those who need it, how can they improve accuracy and targeting? And how can we ensure that those seeking help aren't lost in the shuffle and displaced from their homes? We're joined by Texas Housers eviction prevention specialist Tori Tavormina and research analyst Erin Hahn to learn more.

Apr 14, 202224:18
Episode 43: What could a Tenant Bill of Rights do for San Antonio?

Episode 43: What could a Tenant Bill of Rights do for San Antonio?

Texas Housers, alongside community members and Texas Organizing Project, have strongly declared together that San Antonio needs a Tenant Bill of Rights.

We outlined on our blog what the items in a Tenant Bill of Rights in San Antonio would be, but what does that look like in detail? On this episode of A Little Louder, John is joined by Texas Housers' advocacy director David Wheaton and Texas Organizing Project's Geoffrey Okolo to explain how a Tenant Bill of Rights could effect real, practical change in the city of San Antonio.

Apr 06, 202224:31
Buzz Session 3: Treasury must clarify plan for recapturing Emergency Rent Assistance funds

Buzz Session 3: Treasury must clarify plan for recapturing Emergency Rent Assistance funds

In A Little Louder Buzz Session #3, Texas Housers’ Senior Researcher Ben Martin and Research Analyst Erin Hahn discuss the confusion caused by the Treasury Department. They make the case for why it is important to clarify the federal policies on clawing back Emergency Rent Assistance.

The US Treasury Department oversees state and local government expenditures of federal Emergency Rent Assistance funds. Texas Housers has discovered inconsistencies in the Treasury Department’s administration of these funds that is causing confusion on when unexpended funds will be taken away from local programs who have not spent all the funds they were allocated. Listen now!

Apr 01, 202210:47
Buzz Session 2: Lessons to learn from COVID

Buzz Session 2: Lessons to learn from COVID

In our latest Buzz Session from A Little Louder, host John Henneberger sits with Texas Housers' Southeast Texas regional director Julia Orduña, communications manager Michael Depland, and research analyst Erin Hahn to talk about what are the takeaways we've learned as advocates and those fighting for housing justice under this unique crisis. What are the temporary changes that need to become permanent? The group talks about what is happening now, with nearly two years under these circumstances, and what needs to happen next.
You can watch the video of 'A Little Louder Video Buzz Session 2: Lessons to learn from COVID' on our website, or you can listen to the audio version wherever you get your podcasts.
Mar 24, 202222:19
Episode 42: Expanding The Rights of Tenants In Austin with BASTA

Episode 42: Expanding The Rights of Tenants In Austin with BASTA

On this episode, John is joined by Shoshana Krieger of BASTA Austin who stops by to talk about the fights for tenants' rights happening in both Austin City Council and alongside fellow organizers on the ground. Krieger spoke with us about demanding more protections for tenants in Austin and the hurdles BASTA faces individually as renters as well as a progressive organization in a tenant-hostile state.

Mar 10, 202222:26
Buzz Session 1: Eviction Surge In Texas

Buzz Session 1: Eviction Surge In Texas

A Little Louder listeners! We have a very special episode today in a new series we call 'Buzz Sessions'. This is our way of quickly reacting to news and topics happening right now. The first 'Buzz Session' we hosted features John Henneberger and Texas Housers senior researcher Ben Martin talking about the urgency of quickly rising eviction numbers in our state with several protections going away, the deadline for rental assistance expiring soon approaching, and what needs to be done to cure both of these issues.

Mar 02, 202213:41
Episode 41: Houston’s Dangerous Apartment Problem Part 1

Episode 41: Houston’s Dangerous Apartment Problem Part 1

A Little Louder is launching a new miniseries on substandard housing in Texas and this episode kicks off the special project with Professor Heather K. Way talking about her in-depth report regarding housing in the Sunnyside area of Houston. In this 2017 presentation to residents and community leaders of Sunnyside, Professor Way talks about the months-long study about the dangerous apartment epidemic in Houston, the City of Houston's role in this epidemic, and what should happen to fix the issue.

Spending months pouring through complaints, 311 calls, speaking with residents, and many other data points, the answers to the issue was clear: empower tenants to both address their dangerous living situations and overhaul the city's ability and priority to help these tenants. Listen now for more with Professor Way.

Dec 20, 202133:14
Episode 40: Demolition Deluge in San Antonio

Episode 40: Demolition Deluge in San Antonio

On this episode of A Little Louder, John is joined by Heather Way, co-director of the Entrepreneurship and Community Development Clinic at the University of Texas School of Law, to talk about the report “Ousted: The City of San Antonio’s Displacement of Residents through Code Enforcement Actions.” This new report from Way and the ECDC details the outsized demolitions happening in San Antonio – specifically located in Black and Latino neighborhoods of the city. There have been hundreds of “orders to vacate” and “orders to demolish” that the City of San Antonio has issued between 2015 – 2020; these numbers far higher than other metropolitan areas in the state like Houston, Austin, and Dallas combined.

In addition to Professor Way, A Little Louder also welcomes Texas Housers South Texas Regional Director Mia Loseff to the podcast to talk about how our organization contributed to the report, what the local organizers and community activists are doing to counteract demolitions, and our extensive work in San Antonio.

Dec 10, 202133:38
Episode 39: Five things that need fixing in the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program

Episode 39: Five things that need fixing in the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program

On this episode of A Little Louder, John sits down with Texas Housers staff attorney Elizabeth Roehm to discuss updates to the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program in our state. While some things remain the same with the Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs, 2022 is shaping up to be a time we can effect real change.

Elizabeth and John discuss the strategies necessary to create truly affordable housing in higher opportunity areas, and how Texas Housers – alongside a few strong partners – will be fighting for this in the new year.

Nov 22, 202123:21
Episode 38: The American Rescue Plan Act and Tenants' Rights

Episode 38: The American Rescue Plan Act and Tenants' Rights

On this episode, John is joined by Texas Housers Advocacy Director David Wheaton to give us an update on Texas allocating zero dollars for housing in its American Rescue Plan Act funds and how a coalition of housing organizations are choosing to act now. Texas Housers' Southeast Texas Co-Director Julia Orduña also joins the show to talk about updates with the Texas Rent Relief and Emergency Rental Assistance programs respectively and the urgency to prioritize low-income renters in certain cities and counties.

Nov 05, 202135:52
Episode 37: ERA and the Eviction Crisis in Texas
Sep 07, 202127:33
Episode 36: Who Can Afford The Rent In Texas?

Episode 36: Who Can Afford The Rent In Texas?

The National Low Income Housing Coalition has released its Out of Reach report for 2021 and John and Christina are back in studio to discuss how Texas fits into the analysis. Turns out, low-wage workers have a hard time finding affordable housing in Texas, with very little help from state government. The A Little Louder hosts are joined by Texas Housers Senior Research Analyst Ben Martin who helps dissect Out of Reach '21 and what can be done to fix this critical issue for far too many Texans.

Jul 14, 202126:17
Episode 35: Eviction Courtwatch During COVID-19
Jun 08, 202135:15
Episode 34: President Biden's Executive Orders On Housing

Episode 34: President Biden's Executive Orders On Housing

It's a new year and a new administration has moved into the White House. On the first day of the Biden presidency, the 46th President of the United States signed several executive orders regarding issues such as the pandemic, criminal justice, the economy, and housing. On this episode of A Little Louder, John and Christina both provide historical context to the power of the Fair Housing Act and talk about restoring the federal government's power to protect low-income households. The two also touch on what the Department of Housing and Urban Development is pursuing under new HUD Secretary nominee Marcia Fudge.

Jan 29, 202126:11
Episode 33: Relief for renters during a pandemic

Episode 33: Relief for renters during a pandemic

In late December, Congress passed a long-overdue stimulus package that provides $25 billion in rental assistance and extends the CDC ban on evictions through Jan. 31, among other provisions. While the critical relief will pull millions of people out of economic despair, a housing crisis is looming if state and local officials do not prepare for an onslaught of evictions this winter. John and Christina bring in Texas Housers policy analyst Eli Barrish to talk about what the federal rental relief will mean for Texans, the state of eviction protections and rental relief, and how Texas Housers is working to keep Texans safe and housed. 

Dec 24, 202031:12
Episode 32: Searching For A Landlord To Take My Voucher
Dec 04, 202028:06
Episode 31: Housing Segregation, George Floyd, and Honoring True Housers
Nov 06, 202025:04
Episode 30: Who is this housing for and where does it go?

Episode 30: Who is this housing for and where does it go?

Every year, Texas receives millions of dollars in tax credits to help developers build affordable housing. It's big money and a highly competitive process. The formula that decides who gets the federal subsidies in Texas is called the Qualified Allocation Plan, which is drafted by our state housing agency, the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. We speak with Texas Houser Elizabeth Roehm to break down what's new in the 2021 proposed QAP and challenge some new proposed rules that could curb opportunity for Texas tenants. 

Oct 30, 202024:22
Episode 29: The Trouble With PFCs

Episode 29: The Trouble With PFCs

Hello Housers, 

We are back for a new season of A Little Louder!

This week, John and Christina are joined by University of Texas Law professor Heather Way to learn about how Public Facility Corporations (PFCs) can purport themselves as affordable housing, but have been used as a loophole for big tax breaks while leaving low-income renters in the dust. We also discuss a new addition to the Housers family.

Links:
Heather Way's report - Public Facility Corporations and the Section 303.042(f) Tax Break for Apartment Developments

Oct 09, 202025:56
Episode 28: The COVID-19 housing crisis

Episode 28: The COVID-19 housing crisis

The news cycle under COVID-19 has operated at a breakneck pace. For many, it's been difficult to track what the rules are and what the government is doing to help those who are in need. Thankfully, at least in regard to housing, we can provide a little clarity for those who may need it.

John and Christina are joined on this week's episode of A Little Louder by Shamus Roller, Executive Director of the National Housing Law Project to help sort through what moratoriums on evictions mean and what in that $2 trillion stimulus goes to housing. We are also joined by our community navigator Ericka Bowman, as she tells us what low-income families in Houston and Galveston are experiencing with the coronavirus limiting everyday necessities like transportation, groceries, and work opportunities.

We are still recording remotely, practicing what Christina calls "physical distancing but social connection." Please continue to stay safe, fellow Housers!

You can follow Shamus on Twitter at @ShamusRoller and the National Housing Law Project at @NHLP.

Apr 03, 202035:15
Episode 27: Addressing 'The Gap' for Low-Income Renters

Episode 27: Addressing 'The Gap' for Low-Income Renters

John and Christina were joined this week by Andrew Aurand, Vice President for Research at the National Low Income Housing Coalition, to discuss their 2020 edition of the Gap Report. This deep study into the shortage for rental units for extremely low-income renters exposes some harsh realities for us here in the Lone Star State, including that Texas is far below the national average in affordable and available homes for extremely low-income renters. Aurand also offered what solutions are needed to help shorten this gap, including exercising local, state, and federal power to help our most vulnerable community members.

Our two panelists exchanged their thoughts on the matter all while social distancing in their respective homes. Stay safe, fellow Housers!

You can follow Andrew on Twitter at @AGAurand and the National Low Income Housing Commission at @NLIHC.

Mar 20, 202027:43
Episode 26: Don't eat the toxic fish

Episode 26: Don't eat the toxic fish

For decades, federal, state and local officials knew that the fish in Donna Lake in the Rio Grande Valley carried a dangerous level of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs). And for decades, residents in the surrounding community fished in the lake and often ate or sold the fish. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency granted the lake Superfund status in 1993 after a study found that the fish in the lake were toxic and linked to birth defects in infants. Still little was done until recently, when the EPA and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality began remediation and clean up in January. Texas Housers talks to Josué Ramirez who helped lead a local campaign in the Valley to amplify the voices and concerns of residents and demand action that was long overdue. 

Mar 06, 202024:36
Episode 25: A Voice for San Antonio Renters

Episode 25: A Voice for San Antonio Renters

Nearly half of the city of San Antonio's residents are renters. With the cost of housing rising and wages mostly stagnant, too many renters with low incomes are often at risk of enduring shoddy housing conditions or displacement because of a shortage of places they can afford and few legal protections. "We're sometimes at the mercy of the landlord," one tenant said. A city council member has proposed creating a commission of renters to advise the city on tenant issues and housing policy in order to provide a forum for tenants to voice their concerns and be represented in their city's decision-making processes. Texas Housers talks to council member Roberto Treviño, tenant and organizer Kayla Miranda, and Cynthia Merla Spielman, a landlord and founding member of the Tier One Neighborhood Coalition.

Feb 21, 202028:22
Episode 24: Free Our People
Feb 07, 202028:52
Episode 23: The mandate to affirmatively further fair housing

Episode 23: The mandate to affirmatively further fair housing

In its new proposed rule, HUD is redefining a key provision of the 1968 Fair Housing Act and loosening requirements on local jurisdictions receiving federal grants. This would allow more than 1,200 localities charged with addressing patterns of racial segregation to further entrench the legacy of government-sponsored discrimination. We talk to fair housing expert, civil rights attorney, and former HUD official Betsy Julian about how the mandate to affirmatively further fair housing has historically been ignored and how advocates have risen up to make sure the vision of an integrated, inclusive America is not forgotten. 

Jan 24, 202030:52
Episode 22: Creosote in Greater Fifth Ward
Jan 10, 202030:51
Episode 21: The stink of unequal sewage

Episode 21: The stink of unequal sewage

Housing inequality can often manifest in ways that many do not think of and some take for granted. For example, the simple task of washing your hands or using the restroom are far more complex for low-income families in situations with sewage backups. 

On this episode of A Little Louder, we spoke with our advocacy co-director Lauren Loney about the recent consent decree filed by City of Houston, EPA, and the TCEQ addressing Clean Water Act violations in the City’s waste water infrastructure, as well as our own public comments and pushback on the slow walk to environmental justice. Kristen Schlemmer from Bayou City Waterkeeper also joins the podcast to talk about what she's learned with these sewage backups, and the groundswell to address these issues.

Transcription of Episode 21

Dec 09, 201934:44
Episode 20: A Look at RAD Conversion
Nov 22, 201926:60
Episode 19: Disaster recovery is leaving out renters
Nov 08, 201930:48