Hurricane season officially begins June 1 and runs through November 30 for the Gulf Coast and Atlantic Coast regions. As Houstonians, many of us are all too familiar with the powerful impact hurricanes can have, from destructive winds and storm surge to flooding and tornadoes. With the last storms still fresh in our memories, now is the perfect time to prepare your home, family, and community for the challenges ahead.
Know Your Hurricane Risk
Houston’s unique location means hurricanes often make a direct or indirect impact here. Even if you live inland in Texas, don’t underestimate the potential for heavy rains, damaging winds, and tornadoes that come with tropical storms. Understanding your specific risk is the first step toward effective preparation.
Make an Emergency Plan That Works
When the storm hits, will your family know what to do? Now is the time to sit down and make a detailed emergency plan. Be sure to include daycares, schools, caregivers, and anyone else you interact with regularly. Also, talk through your emergency and continuity plan—what will your family do if the power goes out, or if cell service is lost?
Know Your Evacuation Zone and Practice Your Plan
Evacuation can be stressful, especially if you’re caught off guard. Identify your evacuation zone ahead of time and decide on safe places to stay. Run practice drills with your family to ensure everyone is comfortable with the steps they need to take.
Stay informed by following updates and evacuation orders from local emergency managers. Having multiple ways to receive alerts ensures you won’t miss critical warnings.
Pay Special Attention to Vulnerable Neighbors
Storms can be especially hard on people with disabilities or seniors who may need extra help. Reach out early to check on neighbors who might need assistance preparing or evacuating. Building a supportive community can make all the difference when disaster strikes.
Review Important Documents and Insurance
Before the storm, make sure your insurance policies and personal documents are current and safely stored. Having copies of essential paperwork in a waterproof container or digitally backed up will speed up recovery if damage occurs.
Ready Your Home for Hurricane Season
Protect your home by bringing in outdoor furniture, clearing gutters and drains, and securing any loose debris. Keep cell phones charged and consider portable chargers for use during outages.
Build a Hurricane Supply Kit
Prepare a go-bag with supplies to last several days, including:
Store your emergency kit in an easily accessible location, or your vehicle trunk.
Help Your Community Prepare
A hurricane’s impact extends beyond your front door. Reach out to neighbors and friends to help them get hurricane-ready. A simple check-in or sharing resources can strengthen your entire neighborhood’s resilience.
Stay Safe, Stay Prepared — Houston Habitat is Here with You
The 2025 hurricane season will undoubtedly test our community’s strength, but with careful planning and preparation, we can face the storm together. Visit Disaster Home Repair for more tips on home safety and disaster preparedness.
Homeownership within the Black community has never come without challenges. From discriminatory practices to limited access to credit and resources, the journey to owning a home has often been an uphill battle. Yet, thanks to the relentless advocacy of housing pioneers committed to Black homeownership, we’ve witnessed progress—allowing more Black Americans to secure the homes they deserve. Their work continues to inspire change, paving the way for greater equity in homeownership. As we celebrate Black History Month, we celebrate the Black leaders who paved the way for many, advocated for those who felt they had no voice and fought tirelessly for housing equality and affordable homeownership.
Someone very passionate about the advancement of Black homeownership was Robert Church Sr. In the late 19th century, Church founded the Solvent Savings Bank with a goal to extend credit to Black people so they could buy homes and develop businesses despite widespread discrimination. His work laid
the foundation for financial empowerment in Black communities. Another powerhouse in Black housing advocacy is Dorothy Height. A powerful leader in the Civil Rights Movement, Dorothy Height fought for fair housing legislation and worked to end housing discrimination.
Known for their contributions in many cities around the country, the National Urban League has been a major part of the advancement of Black homeownership. During the 1960’s their executive director, Whitney M. Young Jr. played a key role in the advocacy of the Fair Housing Act of 1968 – a monumental win for housing justice.
In recent years, many are working to see change and a leader behind these efforts is John Hope Bryant. Founder of Operation HOPE, Bryant has dedicated his career to bridging economic disparities, recognizing that financial stability is essential for sustainable homeownership. Housing within the Black community has made significant strides, but there’s still work to be done. According to the
Census Bureau, in the fourth quarter of 2023, 45.9% of Black Americans owned their homes—significantly lower than the 73.8% homeownership rate for non-Hispanic White Americans during the same period.
While progress has been made—the Black homeownership rate rose from 42.2% in 2019 to 44.2% in 2021—it remains below the levels seen in 2000. This serves as a reminder that the fight for housing equity continues, and the work of those who paved the way must be carried forward. Their advocacy laid the groundwork, but it’s up to us to build on their legacy—championing policies that promote fair lending, increasing access to financial education, and dismantling the systemic barriers that still hinder Black homeownership today.
It’s income tax time, and you’re prepping for homeownership. Here are 4 tips to consider when preparing your 2024 income tax return including why you shouldn’t claim a business loss when applying for a mortgage loan.
Claiming a business loss on your income tax return can negatively impact your ability to qualify for a mortgage loan. Here are a few reasons why:
It’s always a good idea to consult with a mortgage advisor or tax professional to understand how your specific situation might be impacted.
