On May 2nd, volunteers with Megan Thee Stallion’s Pete & Thomas Foundation and Habitat for Humanity began making critical repairs to the homes of older Houston residents in support of Habitat’s Aging in Place program.
The effort to repair 20 homes in Houston kicked off in the South Park neighborhood, where Megan grew up, on what is officially Megan Thee Stallion Day in Houston., This special day was established in 2022 to honor the rapper’s philanthropic work.
Hottie volunteers from the Hotties Helping initiative of the Pete & Tomas Foundation, joined Houston Habitat volunteers to caulk and paint the interiors of older residents. The Hotties eagerly shared their excitement to be involved.
Alivia-Rae Green expressed that being both a Hottie and Habitat volunteer demonstrates being there for your community and allows you to give back in a way that fits you. While local Houston educator, Felicia Woodard, added, “as big as Megan Thee Stallion is she’s still giving to people in her neighborhood that she grew up in, and it’s inspiring.”
Megan is shining a light on the need to create more opportunities for dignified, healthy living among older residents. Nearly 77% of older adults — one of the fastest-growing demographics in America — say they want to remain in their homes long term, according to the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. Yet many live in housing that is either in disrepair or was never designed for mobility, accessibility, or changing health needs.
Home repair recipient, Cheryl, shared that, like many older adults, her family has limited income. Without the support of The Pete & Thomas Foundation and Houston Habitat, it would have taken years to complete all the repairs needed on her home. Cheryl’s home desperately needed a new roof, and her kitchen floor was no longer safe. It means everything to her family for Megan Thee Stallion and Habitat for Humanity to make critical repairs on her home, and the homes of many others.
Through Habitat for Humanity’s Aging in Place program, Houston Habitat, and many other affiliates work in partnership with human services and community-based organizations to identify older homeowners in need of safer living conditions and provide critical home repairs, modifications, and services specific to each homeowner’s lifestyle to help preserve their home, their independence, and quality of life
“There is a strong connection between living in a safe and decent home and positive health outcomes, especially for older adults,” said Adrienne Goolsby, senior vice president of U.S. and Canada at Habitat for Humanity International. “Working together with Megan Thee Stallion and the Pete & Thomas Foundation, we are opening the door to both housing and health equity for older adults and ensuring they can age in place.”
The Pete & Thomas Foundation honors the memory of Megan’s late parents, Holly Thomas and Joseph Pete III. Its housing program supports older adults to ensure they can stay in their homes independently or with loved ones, while staying safe when a natural disaster or emergency hits their community.
“Megan Thee Stallion and the Pete & Thomas Foundation are making a lasting investment that strengthens neighborhoods like South Park,” said Allison Hay, CEO of Houston Habitat for Humanity. “As a Houstonian, she knows what this community means to people. By supporting repair work for senior homeowners, these families will not only be able to age in place with dignity but will also be prepared to withstand future Gulf Coast weather events.”
The project stands as a powerful example of what’s possible when community, compassion, and commitment come together to uplift families who need it most.
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.
