houston community texas united_states includes km2 group apartment complexes primarily house hispanic immigrant populations located west southeast interstate highway north boulevard 1960s 1970s experienced rapid development new apartment complexes built young individuals northeast came work oil industry 1970s oil boom 1980s economy declined existing tenants left resulting significant drop occupancy rates apartment complexes forcing complexes bankruptcy owners marketed units newly arrived immigrants predominantly immigrant community beginning 1980s crime rate increased schools increasingly overwhelmed excess students houston citizens nicknamed community city houston responded sudden demographic shifts increasing police presence school district responded opening schools handle influx students 1980s demographic transitions gained community college campus additional elementary schools added public bus routes park community center public library juvenile detention facility densely populated community houston percent hispanic residents including recent immigrants mexico central_america history 1950s consisted farm land area belonged mid-1950s subdivision established consisting sixteen city blocks ranch style homes located adjacent land later site apartment complexes decades later communities clash apartments surrounding deteriorated property values threatened large parcels land available grid road pattern suited construction large apartment complexes 1960s number large apartment buildings built complexes added 1970s houston prospered oil boom apartments young predominantly workers belt regions employed burgeoning oil industry americans came south midwest new_york california live area complexes complexes housed individuals western eastern europe iran japan jordan lebanon saudi_arabia mexico south_america vietnam native lived housing complexes apartments given names meant fancy napoleon square complexes gave free signed year according director affiliated urban research center development apartment complexes planned coordinated little interest building quality product developers primarily concerned generating quick revenue financial institutions tax laws favoring apartment construction inflation housing shortage houston metropolitan area mid-1980s houston area oil industry economy declined jobs lost local economy thousands left causing rise apartment apartment complexes houston area experienced bankruptcy frequent turnover ownership known houston area advertisements featuring california promoter example faced funding mortgage headquartered took complex september took properties fell mortgage wednesday auctioned state investment group usd million million today money realized million million today money loss following year renamed marketing influx immigrant workers owners abandoned adult policies prohibiting children listed spanish reduced despite rent reduction july houston_chronicle article stated rates poorly maintained apartments houston areas comparable maintained apartments parts city according complexes began cater illegal immigrants allowed double housing individuals families living unit houston city council member represented district included time said demographic changes occurred district years leading city referring shift demographics apartment complexes said complex owners development long rent payments difficulty filling apartment complexes require background checks banks lending institutions owned apartments failed properly maintain considering pouring money perceived rat hole added complexes deferred maintenance new residents found limited access government services food stamps municipal county health care july area designated houston city council community development target provided low income communities increased city services supplemented federal funding drew response citizen commission monitored funding low income residents board members formally protested city council support funds old poor existing low income areas new poor newly created communities members argued original community development targets fully served prior service areas expanding budgets council authority force changes public policy rose principal stated government officials reluctant expand services believed low income apartments time city council member lobbied satellite health department clinic apartment professor chair project manager houston communities schools stated public life multiple article development decline originated purely short term relatively spontaneous speculative process state process focused building apartment complexes clubs warehouses short term profit providing supporting infrastructure parks libraries recreation centers small blocks recent immigrants opened provide legal services central american immigrants advocate issues related immigration united_states religious representatives created open christian church join advocated assistance residents established focused programs fisher suggest focused relieving symptoms poverty instead removing causes representative described conservative organized march town hall meeting sparked creation organization called business owners advocated reduction recreational drug use local crime improvement neighborhood effort restore property values late 1980s established coalition representatives city houston government health human services organizations businesses schools religious organizations area residents held meetings related proposal establishment municipal health clinic organization meetings led opening sisters charity southwest health clinic area major health clinic jointly operated clinic provided pre child care services fisher state organization lost focal issue clinic opened performing community needs assessment identifying local leaders organization disbanded early year civil war ended continued provide legal services publications advocacy central american immigrants began campaigning federal government provide permanent legal residency refugees august founded merged organizations board members goals common fisher said article multiple merger cooperation members combined progressive conservative unlikely received new street lights paved streets new neighborhoods standard program received federal designation site designation provided community close million dollars grant funding target criminal activity providing social services risk youth families code established del summer day camp program del school program strategically located areas attempt provide classes citizenship classes gang intervention apartment outreach community efforts computer classes free charge resident interested attending provided free computer classes community residents children ages attended free summer day camp offered park del school program provided teens school programming collaborative efforts noted houston_chronicle pbs smaller newspapers area july officers acting tip drug related activities entered apartment complex shot killed oregon circumstances event disputed october year grand jury cleared officers charges related incident rodriguez professor described place people struggling consequently fewer displays outrage expected incident occurred older established latino communities oregon killing controversial illicit drugs found property oregon family sued city houston arguing raid inappropriate city countered officers acted appropriate manner federal judge dismissed lawsuit parent involvement specialist area stated education week article members central american communities specifically identify houston geography located outside loop southwest downtown houston approximately west describes example inner ring area located downtown suburbs rogers states conventional landscapes inner ring areas urban suburban hybrid condition mixed global city garden suburb includes apartment complexes units houston_chronicle said rows heels apartments bear names swinging singles days makes gateway newest waves immigrants children washington_post described tightly packed warren apartment complexes block long 1970s apartment complexes contained seventeen swimming pools seventeen hot seventeen laundry rooms club houses contains strip office blocks complexes generally contain features catering single adults lack features appreciated families initial market targeted 1970s semi private swimming pools filled longer usable apartments businesses located ground floor units area tract houses occupied beauty small stores tire repair shops rogers contends mixed use adaptation occurred spontaneously indicative spirit residents need adapt existing space new uses 2000s city houston report includes surrounding areas states large apartment complexes dominate area landscape john nova described group apartment complexes broadway street eastern houston size city blocks differs significantly downtown houston sixteen downtown city blocks fit block exist representative said residents don let half feet wide pregnant women walking sides roads identified hazardous communities pedestrians complex napoleon square built million unit complex owned real estate figure included disco swimming pools main swimming pool swimming pools club called retreat mile radius main entrance napoleon square apartment units apartment facilities swimming pools bars tennis courts subsidiary purchased complex march families reside complex originated mexico central_america south_america families napoleon square came mexico honduras central american countries south_america complexes combined total units thousand inhabitants demographics population increased significant additional residences built census counted hispanic population increased increase non hispanic white population decreased loss occupancy rates apartment complexes increased instance napoleon square rate increased founder said increased census worker efforts ensure accurate population count contributed increase residents native born represented citizenship countries residents illegal immigrants households cars starting mid-1980s population experienced increases female children populations urban directed study commissioned houston_chronicle identified hispanic population growth area entirely central american countries according study hispanic population density increased persons square mile population area increased residents residents census identifies hard tract neighborhood estimated people approximately square miles km2 community leaders believed actual population closer national center school engagement report program coordinator houston reduction demonstration project indicated social service agencies government officials estimated population juveniles representation census likely area immigrants especially residing country illegally government attempt obtain personal information assistant superintendent said possible district lost significant amounts money residents counted district receives federal funds bilingual programs free reduced lunch special education based numbers census state texas said major problem immigration issue difficult count population highly mobile poor living diversity households residents annual income today money january families included small children date families earned dollars today money year dependent public assistance median family income today money city houston median income level residents recently immigrated mexico latin american countries houston includes surrounding subdivisions reported population people hispanic white black asian native american native hawaiian races hispanic races citizens countries languages spoken community density people square mile area loop density people square mile reported residents older hispanic non hispanic white black asian native american native hawaiian races hispanic races super neighborhood contained housing units occupied units rental units owner units families individuals counted census super neighborhood average family size compared city average luke community health report includes areas north notes reported area people area population increased people area hispanic population increased nearly year span ending non hispanic white population decreased area population consisted children risen nearly population government local government served south division previously previously area served southwest patrol division headquartered street june report entitled year plan produced stated sudden changes population exceeded police department ability adapt establishment augmented police department presence station located near opened summer city houston paying dollar month real estate company managing complex paid utility bills estimated month today money provides support establishment sub station division established responsibility area provides fire protection services fire district primary run area covers located near fire district community recognized council established june super neighborhood represents community advocacy block civic clubs places worship businesses community interests covers district created allow hispanic voters easily select candidates cater political consultant group drew boundaries order ensure area way hispanic residents lobby influence city council representative hispanic origin 2000s divided city council districts district 1990s district december increased crime demographic shifts southwestern houston neighborhoods led political rivals competing city council seat efforts undertaken mayor reduce gang graffiti area community mural completed risk youth collaborative effort orange united_states attorney office mural featured houston_chronicle major news outlets city council member promoted anti graffiti campaign district operates greater district adjacent city multi service centers provide child care elderly residents programs rental space complex includes express southwest library extension center houses mayor southwest satellite office construction center scheduled begin february mayor houston council member khan dedicated center monday february cost estimated usd million rates operates complex outdoor basketball court bicycle trail playground athletics field water park recreation centers existed prior opening executive director criticized city establishing libraries multi service centers parks recreation centers collaborative effort members attended meetings lobby enclosed area park youth attended soccer games lobbied multi purpose center established assist members area efforts money allocated rebuilt enclosed community center money allocated center build previously gang involved youth headed juvenile center prior involvement participants graduated high school began taking classes thought possible time county representation serves constable provide services county offices provides services operates program center aimed preventing juvenile crime programs focused decreasing juvenile crime operates drive annex located county complex operates near runs residential post facilities youth opened revenue state grants county funds acre campus juvenile offenders require secure confinement state federal representation located represented district represented expressed concerns proposed state senate plans deliberately draw district ensure election felt possible election hispanic representatives cited inclusion district hispanic voting strength residents eligible vote lack citizenship houston_chronicle article reported people want included hispanic district citing fears residents vote afternoon people protested arizona bill boulevard texas 9th congressional district represented operates offices near foreign general nicaragua houston located suite avenue adjacent office moved longer resides area transportation texas metro operates passenger bus services bus lines serving area include successfully lobbied increased metro bus routes light rail network metro proposed approximately mile segment connecting houston_chronicle questions answers page proposed line asked metro include station serve metro responded agency originally envisioned express line examine possibility serving july metro indicated station potential station modified plan metro proposed construction economy includes scattered areas commercial light industrial properties gained large number immigrants mid-1980s regional economy support increasing pressure new workers led higher unemployment rates families tended double housing multiple families shared unit reduce family expenditures head area stated address look window don big corporations mom pop businesses previously greater southwest houston provides economic assistance central american businesses outlets united_states store located location banks branches business area banks include division subsidiary time businesses including small grocery stores restaurants owned operated refugees operates houston area area additionally mexican furniture chain operates location adjacent neighborhood food vendors called travel sell foods emergence latino community led changes area businesses predominant population supermarket cater new demographic december announced square foot close end january performing store owns store location chain considering selling grocery chain located drive area moved woodlands unincorporated houston_chronicle article described location flood prone employed staff partnership formed construction plaza americas square foot shopping center adjacent project completed million today money hoped attract retailers catering hispanic clients designed center hispanic flavor developers believed hispanic buying power area generate profits culture area community developer described sort like current time residents represent seventy distinct cultures speak thirty different languages live area approximately square feet refers population probably dense area houston anti gang office director mayor houston referred somewhat said affordable housing shops language food culture help provide familiar environment residents transition life america rogers said ways residents connected globally locally activist el_salvador refugee said denver harbor recent latin american immigrant relationship added immigrants mainly remain area businesses cater immigrant population explained people originally expected provide location immigrants leave neighborhoods stayed long term residents switching apartments leaving area said possesses wide range ethnic restaurants grocery stores seen houston popularity soccer football neighborhood flourished established 1990s prior establishment adult teams existed youth league soccer coach said newspaper article lack confidence english language abilities long work hours prevented area residents creating soccer leagues article quotes citizens believe playing soccer prevented joining gangs principal said soccer popular area students soccer team proposed construction stadium near instead compass stadium began construction began work areas years opened bridge privately operated community center grounds complex predominantly spanish speaking population located apartment units converted office space play areas apartment units connected center goal provide community support replace community support immigrants previously received latin_america different agencies provided services families signed receive services center provided literacy classes provided english classes provided services year olds arranged assessments graduate students studying social work provided medical services provided dance sessions teach english mothers children coordinator complex said center needed children activities available said children little confined apartments group announced build intersection street high star drive raises million today money needed baker neighborhood center scheduled open december center consists acres campus buildings designed new_orleans based architects site contains farmers market health clinic outdoor film venue publicly accessible library school outdoor recreation areas center design incorporates architectural influences mexican south american art employee said organization want appear fancy official looking recent immigrants non profit organization assisted development organizers consulted residents design center wife secretary state organized fundraising campaign center center offers english computer classes received planning grant fund program guide residents birth obtain careers child health care center affiliated primary health care center opened campus exists assist families financial hardships avoid emergency departments primary care visits promoters operated individuals recruited hard reach communities study health care doctors non profit organizations return communities educate people health care practices public health care programs adopted latin american model use varies latin american system example legally medication prior change demographics apartment complex napoleon square residents swimming pools area active evenings era members ethnic groups napoleon square apartment complex mainly kept texas monthly said integrated neighborhoods houston rainbow human kinds colors napoleon square hardly melting pot crime year police districts second highest rate reported crimes north houston districts highest rates fraud suicide second highest rates automobile theft theft vandalism fourth highest rape rate fifth highest robbery rate eighth highest drug related arrest crime rate 13th highest rate murder prior hispanic immigration influx 1980s texas monthly said density apartments design easy criminals operate complexes criminal figured break unit break shared design hurt said cocaine appear common apartments heroin found area occasionally frequently parts town hurt stated area residents residents complained theft according accused known area blade beer belly crime 1970s predominantly inhabited white single young men 1980s economic decline changes local demographics crime increased referred neighborhood area derived drive described houston_chronicle area notorious streets houston_chronicle article cited police officers patrolling area identify complexes arrest criminals april named houston neighborhoods targeted city program aspect project consisted building subdivision reduce traffic crime members supported measures pursued street advocacy groups opposed members community groups considered measures racially motivated voiced opinion provide effective crime control waste city funds potentially harm local businesses demographics changed youth street gangs appeared area gangs director nonprofit group called youth advocates said dense conditions lack features intended children lack recreational athletic programs helped form gang cultures added factors included fathers absent including imprisoned mothers issues like drug alcohol mothers worked jobs lengthy working hours southwest began appear gang traditional leadership structure like new_york_city los_angeles police officers said gang engaged criminal activities controversy erupted teenagers adults sustained injuries drive shooting near police believed shooting related street gangs arrested year old student connection shooting demanded years expand anti crime activities spokesperson mayor insisted city taken action year announced provide worth grant funds area agencies crime prevention programs state targeted code juvenile probation highest code grant established worked reduce juvenile crime counselor immigrants mexico el_salvador said local parents positive attitudes living money home countries area children felt impacted area crime principal stated hated hearing term common use time community trying away stereotype crime rates decreased year captain commander street said increased police presence caused crime rates decrease 1990s city houston officials started seed program funds replace criminal activity positive community activities city houston spent years items funded seed included leadership program teenagers built las apartments property computer lab area park anti gang office director mayor houston said seed program restored sense community safety engineered family life heavy handed police tactics professor remarked different sense feeling cross incorporated city consisting single family houses reputation safety said believed city increase efforts reduce crime added difficult engage population working people living day day participate anti crime activities like crime watches states difficult fight crime reductions man power williams said federal government agents began working arrest gang criminals including members operating neighborhood head department announced division expand pact complexes pact places married couples active churches apartment complexes work tenants pact program initially focused complexes august gang war erupted area gangs causing violence increase surrounding areas education primary secondary schools public schools divided trustee district vii student assessment department training offices located building area previously district offices office office located facility prior reorganization headquartered offices alternative education offices reside offices occupied facility elementary middle schools attendance boundaries elementary school cover sections area located option named early childhood center early childhood center nearest poor students homeless students students proficient english children active duty members military parents killed injured missing action active duty attend optional middle schools located campus state charter schools located pre 8th grade state charter school receives state funds student relies philanthropy expenses prospective students receive based lottery students mexican descent opened state charter school pre grade operates charter school yes prep originally yes state charter middle school originally located campus plans expand grades thirty classrooms students yes area yes prep located baker located grounds baker neighborhood center greater juvenile justice charter school serves residents private schools area serves grade addition acting private elementary school houses hour program roman catholic school operated near children live measured travel closest public roads assigned elementary schools usually eligible free school bus transportation means children walk ride school history elementary middle schools elementary school serve built capacity students opened serves opened students original capacity white qualified free lunch qualified reduced cost lunch increasing population sudden conversion adults complexes family oriented enrollment increasing year campus texas opened serve school non school september year students enrolled classified hispanic free reduced cost lunch programs children arrived central american countries experiencing civil strife received inadequate education prior coming united_states described federal government passed fair housing act circumstances prohibits policy families children living apartment complex principal said student population increased singles apartments required allow families rent complexes september schools capped words schools filled capacity excess students attend schools students temporary classroom units immediately prior opening students opened tuesday january relieved students teachers schools million construction project originated school bond approved march principal said committee determining school named soldier vietnam war given medal honor school wanted school hispanic serve positive role model hispanic student body occupied school opened officials said district little difficulty opening schools middle year teachers teaching students occupied previously schools preceding fall opening day referred students schools opened students pupils send children different schools year children hispanic gordon school non school opened students students schools average classroom size students exceeding state recommendation students classroom included named las early childhood development center middle schools started campus school established funds seed program established city houston officials center moved built acres funds opened week relieve result rodriguez attendance zone took territory zones zone took territory zone opened relieve schools southwestern houston paid usd lease las units october president operated announced letter organization terminate lease agreement issues related maintenance management district decided vacate property instead appealing decision summer closed early childhood center merged middle schools moved campus located served campus non campuses converted chinese school high schools residents opened relieve high schools options high school aged residents attend opened mainly affluent white students demographics shifted hispanic immigrant student body september lee schools capped excess students attend schools opened residents lee attendance boundary gained option attend instead lee free transportation provided lee students born non english speaking households operates charter high school recent immigrants january opened lee high school campus school officials placed area apartment complexes churches markets school relocated shopping center highway southwest freeway adopted current june opened facility non traditional high school program students students public schools school year students qualified free reduced price students classified economically double texas rate students exhibited lack english language proficiency students texas residents exhibited level program coordinator houston reduction demonstration project said major issue education language barriers lack supervision parents guardians high mobility lack familiarity united_states laws norms act barriers attending school publication stated parental characteristics complicated support education including low status language cultural barriers limited opportunities city houston started reduction demonstration project operated mayor houston includes support municipal courts head address urban education needs social capital frequent adult contact children community colleges jurisdiction community college district operates inside square foot campus building owned building opened sold building adjusted inflation campus district libraries operates greater district adjacent facilities library facilities located existing buildings prior opening january libraries existed near
Gulfton, Houston