By: Chloé Richards In Houston’s Third Ward, Fifth Ward, and Acres Homes communities, multi-story townhouses stand next to century-old homes, and longtime residents navigate new realities in the places they have called home for generations. While developers say they’re creating affordable housing, these “upgrades” come at a cost, the slow disappearance of historic Black communities that have shaped Houston’s culture for generations. Houston’s Third Ward, Fifth Ward, and Acres Homes have been pillars of Black history, culture, and community for decades. But with rising property values, rapid new developments, and shifting demographics, these neighborhoods are changing fast, often at the expense of their historic land- marks and residents. Third Ward: “Black River Oaks” Third Ward has long been regarded as the “Heart of Black Houston,” a neighbor- hood filled with places that are significant to Houston’s Black identity. Home to Texas South- ern University (TSU), Houston’s only HBCU, Third Ward has nurtured generations of Black leaders and artists, with its cultural and academic influence extending far beyond Houston. Community land- marks, like Unity National Bank—the only Black-owned bank in Texas—have provided economic empowerment, while places like Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, Third Ward Multi-Service Center, Emancipation Park, and Project Row Houses serve as community landmarks. Once overwhelmingly Black, the Third Ward’s African American population has drastically declined, making up just 45% of the area to- day, down from 71% in 2010, according to the Houston Chronicle. Rising property values and increasing development have changed the landscape of the Third Ward, with luxury apartments and high-rise buildings replacing older homes and small businesses. The closure of institutions like the historic Houston Negro Hospital, later known as Riverside General Hospital, which treated Black patients independently until its closure in 2015, depicts the changes occurring in this neighbor- hood. Despite efforts from community groups to pre- serve what remains, gentrification continues to push out Black residents and threaten the history, spirit, and pride that define the Third Ward. Fifth Ward: “The Nickle” Just northeast of downtown, Fifth Ward, known as “The Nickel,” has a history rooted in resilience and vibrant Black culture. For decades, […]

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