Meet Alan Watkins
Alan Watkins, Executive of the Houston Housing Collaborative says, Gentrification is Real
The Executive Director of the Houston Housing Collaborative Alan Watkins says demand for quality, affordable housing in all very different income levels is very much important and very much needed in Houston.
“The demand is there; we need to advocate and champion for more affordable housing at all income levels around the city and county.”
Today many seniors who have been living in a home for three or four decades are finding themselves in precarious situations while getting priced out due to increasing tax rates. For many older citizens homes are in disrepair and managed by tenants living on a limited income.
“In some instances, the house is literally falling all around that senior resident who is homesteading with very little means for upkeep.”
Affordable housing in one of “the most affordable cities” [Houston] in the United States is a growing problem. These scenarios of housing deterioration exist in homes all around Houston not just at the individual level, but on a grand scale. In turn, Mr. Watkins is focused on increasing the quality of affordable housing for persons currently living in their homes, whether they be seniors, low income, or the homelessness.
“Gentrification occurs when investors identify low income areas where the land and construction is cheap and eventually increases the property taxes in that neighborhood impacting the long-term residents like the seniors,” says the former Community Development Senior Consultant/ Vice President at Wells Fargo.
Alan Watkins shares a story he hears all too often of residents across Houston who are being evicted, not because they didn't pay the rent, but because the property owner wants to fix the units resulting in evacuating the residents who only had a month to find a place to stay.
“I would guess that the goal for the landowner is to fix the homestead so that he can increase the rent and take advantage of those market rate rents”.
“Protecting the population from increased property taxes is an example of what the Houston Housing Collaborative is assessing to develop recommendations and support our communities most vulnerable,” says Watkins.
The Houston native and Morehouse College graduate, Watkins returned to Houston after living on the East Coast. His former pastor inspired him to dedicate his life to helping others.
“This pastor taught me how to support the needs of the community. I watched him develop food and clothing pantries and homes for pregnant teenage women,” said Watkins. “This inspired me to go to seminary school and focus on community development.”
“This is the very core reason why my professional and volunteer work all intersect around helping the community and helping those in need.”
