Provision of affordable housing and access to opportunity in Victoria, Texas

Victoria, Texas is a small city with a population of 62,592 according to the 2010 Census. Despite its size, Victoria does not have any form of zoning, which inhibits the ability of the City to control development and land use patterns. This lack of control may have negative effects on low-income communities and the location of affordable housing. This report considers the location of affordable housing throughout the city, analyzing the proximity of these housing developments to environmental hazards, such as industrial uses and floodplains, and access to areas of opportunity, such as transit routes, retail and grocery stores, and high-achieving schools. The purpose of this analysis is to determine if public actions (or inactions) and private development have resulted in an equitable or inequitable distribution of affordable housing, and to propose recommendations for addressing any inequities that may exist in the city of Victoria.