The Third Ward of Houston. A neighborhood often misunderstood and rarely explored. Here is what I saw.
The Third Ward is historically known for being one of the first places where freed slaves settled after the Civil War ended in 1865. The neighborhoods still hold a strong African American influence. Although rich in culture & history, some of these areas are afflicted with ongoing challenges like poverty, drug abuse, housing insecurity, and gentrification.
Gentrification has been rapidly increasing in Houston over the past two decades, specifically in historically Black and Hispanic communities. The contrast is easily noticeable. This raises the question of whether the gentrification of these areas aids in the advancement of communities or is detrimental to their cultures and history.
I asked some of my peers what their opinions and thoughts were on gentrification, here is what some of them had to say:
“It is the WORST. It’s the biggest threat to childhood nostalgia.” Another added, “It’s frustrating and detrimental to the Black community,” while someone else went as far as to say, “It almost feels like legal ethnic cleansing.”
Some acknowledged potential benefits, such as cleanliness and mental well-being, while others held a more political stance.
“Existing residents shouldn’t be displaced... Maybe the government should invest in people instead of war and ideology,” and “We need to learn more about property and wealth management.”
Houston's Greater Third Ward is recognized as an area with elevated crime risk. According to ABC13 Reporting on Regional Crime, the Third Ward has seen an increase in shootings, homicides, property crime, and violence in the last few years. For over a decade, Third Ward has recorded some of the highest homicide and violent crime rates in Houston.
As this part of Houston continues to be gentrified, we can see a clash between historic legacy and urban development. Some shotgun houses built by freedmen in the 19th and early 20th centuries still remain, although most have been demolished or overtaken by redevelopment. Only a dozen of these monumental homes remain in the area.
Across the neighborhood, we can observe how Black-owned businesses have been forced to shut down due to gentrification. As the city pushes to clear out crime and revitalize the area, many long-standing establishments are being lost in the process. The cost of “improvement” often comes at the expense of community roots, making it harder for local Black entrepreneurs to survive in the neighborhoods they helped build.
Efforts are being made to uplift the community, whether through cleanup projects, local art, or programs for the youth. There are people doing the work to keep the spirit of the Third Ward alive and in the hands of those who’ve always called it home.
Places that are often overlooked hold stories worth discovering. Educating ourselves about neighborhoods like this helps us see the bigger picture, and the people who are a part of it. It’s important to humanize these circumstances if we want to move forward and rebuild communities like this for the greater good.