Houston, a city born on the banks of the bayou, has always been a hub of industry and innovation. From its early days, the oil and gas trades, the sprawling networks of railroads, and the heavy machinery that powered the Industrial Revolution fueled the city’s growth. Immigrant workers flocked to Houston, settling near these burgeoning industries, their lives intertwined with the very lifeblood of the city’s economy. However, as Houston expanded and transformed into the sprawling metropolis we know today, these communities remained tethered to the remnants of the industrial era, now living in the shadows of brownfield sites – properties tainted by pollution and the passage of time.
The history of Houston’s development is marked by a lack of zoning, a reality that has left its communities particularly vulnerable to the consequences of industrialization. In a city where residential neighborhoods often sit side by side with industrial sites, the legacy of environmental neglect is stark. The immigrant workers and their descendants who once built this city now find themselves living in the remnants of an industrial past, surrounded by contamination and pollution.
Environmental justice in Houston is about more than just cleaning up these contaminated sites. It is about addressing the systemic inequities that have left these communities to bear the brunt of environmental degradation. It is about acknowledging that these neighborhoods – many of which are home to people of color and low-income families – are the most vulnerable in a city without zoning laws to protect them. But environmental justice also extends beyond the remediation of land and air; it is intrinsically linked to the availability of affordable housing.
Affordable housing is a cornerstone of environmental justice. As we work to redevelop brownfield sites, we must also ensure that the resulting developments do not displace the very communities they are intended to benefit. Too often, urban revitalization leads to gentrification, pushing out long-term residents who can no longer afford to live in their own neighborhoods. For redevelopment to be truly just, it must include affordable housing options that allow current residents to remain and thrive in their communities.
At the Houston Land Bank (HLB), our approach to brownfield redevelopment is rooted in principles of environmental justice. We are not just cleaning up contaminated sites; we are creating spaces where all Houstonians can live, work, and play – spaces that are safe, healthy, and affordable. Two prime examples of our work are the Yellow Cab and Velasco projects, which illustrate our commitment to these principles.
The former Yellow Cab headquarters, a six-acre property, took four years to clean up due to significant contamination. While it may not have been considered shovel-ready, the site’s transformation demonstrates the value of persistence in brownfield redevelopment. Today, the site is being developed into a mixed-use, affordable housing community that will serve both single-family and multi-family residents, with housing options available to those earning up to 120% of the Area Median Income. This project is being envisioned alongside with the community and stands as a testament to the fact that even the most challenging sites can be reclaimed and revitalized to serve the community.
Similarly, the Velasco project was a 70-year-abandoned trash incinerator which was awarded a $5 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to clean up and transform into a greenspace in May 2024. This project, like Yellow Cab, will involve a complex and lengthy cleanup process, but the results will reflect transformative community desires. Both projects are examples of how brownfield redevelopment can be leveraged to address both environmental and housing inequities.
Yet, despite the pressing needs, we have limited resources to address these brownfield sites. The process of acquiring, remediating, and redeveloping these properties is complex and resource-intensive, often beyond the reach of the communities most affected. But this is where HLB steps in. We are working closely with government agencies, philanthropy, and regulators to address the challenges left behind by an era before environmental regulation took hold. Our efforts are focused on not just cleaning up these sites but also on ensuring that the benefits of redevelopment, including affordable housing, are equitably distributed.
We believe that brownfield redevelopment in Houston must be about more than just economic gain; it must be about restoring a sense of agency and ownership to the communities that have long been disenfranchised. The history of Houston is rich with the contributions of residents, and it is only fitting that these communities have a say in the future of the city they helped build.
As we move forward, HLB is committed to ensuring that the voices of these communities are heard and that their needs are met. Environmental justice is not just a goal; it is a mandate – a call to action for all of us to build a more equitable and just city. The work ahead is challenging, but it is also filled with promise. By working together, we can transform the legacy of industrialization into a future of opportunity, empowerment, and affordable housing for all Houstonians.
Christa Stoneham is the Chief Executive Officer of the Houston Land Bank, where she leads innovative urban redevelopment initiatives focused on equity, environmental justice, and community empowerment. With over two decades of experience in community development, Christa is a champion for affordable housing and the transformation of contaminated brownfield sites.Christa holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Architecture, as well as a Master’s degree in Community Development from Prairie View A&M University.