Efforts for ordinance for high-risks apartments remain unmoved by Houston City Council

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- An ordinance aimed at holding poorly run apartment complexes accountable has not moved forward in the Houston City Council.

A version of the ordinance was initially proposed several years ago and has undergone revisions. The conversation around it grew tense during a council meeting on Wednesday.

Mayor John Whitmire said he's already committed to doing it as quickly as possible.

"Mayor, I don't think it's good enough," Houston City Councilmember Letitia Plummer responded.

Plummer, who spearheaded this effort, told ABC13 she's been working on this since 2021.

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"It's a good document," Plummer said. "I'm pleased with how it's shaping up. People are understanding the urgency."

The ordinance would require multi-family buildings considered "high risk" to register with the city.

The Apartment Standards Enforcement Committee, composed of representatives from the police department, public works, the health department, and others, would work with these high-risk buildings to bring them into compliance.

According to the ordinance, a complex would be considered high risk if it ranks in the top five for 3-1-1 helpline complaints and has 10 health or safety citations within a year.

Those buildings would then be given six months to address complaints while working with the committee.

"I understand the urgency," Mayor Whitmire said. "I've witnessed it, as a case worker for the food stamp program."

Last month, the city council voted to temporarily delay a final vote. On Wednesday, there was a debate on the timing of bringing this to a vote.

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Councilmember Plummer, who is stepping down next week to run for Harris County Judge, pushed for a specific date for the vote.

She proposed returning the ordinance to the council a month after the January committee meeting. The motion passed.

Along with its support, there has been some pushback on this proposal as well. Critics have specifically questioned how exactly this will be enforced, which apartments will be singled out, and if enough will be singled out.