Houston Is Going Broke One Parking Lot at a Time

Houston is facing a $700 million budget shortfall — but it’s not just a revenue problem. It’s a land use problem. Empty lots, underused properties, and speculative land holdings are dragging down our city’s finances while homeowners carry the weight. In this post, we explore how a Land Value Tax and Vacancy Tax could rebalance the system, reduce the burden on working residents, and make Houston more affordable, walkable, and financially resilient.