Housing

The Texas Senate is poised to pass legislation that would increase the homestead exemption for property owners in the state. The exemption reduces how much of a home’s value owners can be taxed on. Without state income tax, that increase is one of the few effective ways lawmakers can provide tax relief to residents. The Texas Newsroom’s Blaise Gainey reports on the exemption increase and the potential impact.

Last night, the Lubbock Planning and Zoning Commission passed a recommended zoning change in the Tech Terrace neighborhood which could pave the way for a new student housing development. Our reporter Samantha Larned has more on the next steps. Work begins Monday to demolish the water tower at 74th Street and Genoa Avenue as part of the city’s long-term water infrastructure plan. Drivers are encouraged to avoid the area.

From now through Feb. 14, the City of Lubbock is accepting applications for its Junior Ambassador Program, offering students a week of cultural experiences in its sister city in Japan this summer. Our reporter Bishop Van Buren has more on the program, which you can sign up for at mylubbock.us/JrAmbassador. Tonight, the Lubbock Planning and Zoning Commission is expected to vote on whether or not to recommend a zoning change. Our Samantha Larned explains this would open up the possibility of a new student housing development at the site of the former Godbold building.

As his first action after arriving at the White House, President Donald Trump pardoned people charged in connection with the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, including Lubbock man Ryan Zink. Meanwhile in Denton County, KERA's Toluwani Osibamowo reports that federal officials are accusing a homeowner's association of racially discriminating against renters receiving government assistance. And across the state, influenza cases are on the rise.

The U.S. Department of Justice filed an amended complaint Tuesday alleging six of the nation’s largest landlords — including Dallas-based Willow Bridge Property Co. — participated in an illegal scheme allowing landlords to increase rental prices and decrease competition.

A likely fight over how much power to take away from local governments may dominate the debate.

KUT's Olivia Aldridge has more on Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's lawsuit against a doctor in New York for allegedly prescribing abortion medication across state lines. Property tax and insurance are mostly to blame for increasing housing costs in North Texas. KERA's Marina Trahan Martinez reports that renters are also paying for those higher rates.

The Texas Comptroller told the Senate Committee on Local Government last week that the legislature needs to take action on the rising price of housing in the state. Texas Public Radio's David Martin Davies has more. Here in Lubbock, the Silent Wings Museum is offering free admission in honor of Veterans Day today, with a special ceremony beginning at 11 A.M.

After a community event hosted by the East Lubbock Art House bringing further attention to disparities in Lubbock's housing, we took a look at the data to break down what's making it harder for citizens to own a home.

The trial for 25-year-old Omar Soto-Chavira, charged in the 2021 murder of a Lubbock County Sheriff's deputy, has been delayed after Soto-Chavira was found incompetent to stand trial. And KERA’S Zara Amaechi reports a Dallas nonprofit is developing a toolkit to combat housing displacement. Also, Lubbock Animal Shelter is offering free adoption for any of their long-stay dogs for the whole month of September.