NEWS BRIEFS
Data: 42%of county faces rent burden
R E N T B U R D E N E D IN 2020: Census data show nearly half of county residents spend 30% of their income on rent, which is considered a burden.
Early Registration April 18-22
28.9%
of households in
Montgomery County made UNDER $50,000.
BY JISHNU NAIR
42% 30%
of Montgomery County
Data from the 2020 American Com- munity Survey 5-year estimates released March 17 shows 42% of Montgomery County renters, or 23,493, are paying 30% or more of their income in gross rent. According to the federal Housing and Urban Development department, 30% or more of income going toward gross rent is considered a burden on renters. The county ranks below Texas overall, which reported 48% of renters paying 30% or more of income to rent. Ben Martin, a researcher with the nonprofit Texas Housers, said rent burden affects different income classes differently. Those who have a higher income are usually able to pay a greater percentage of it toward rent without a burden compared to low-income renters, Martin said. “If you’ve got ... a pretty significant amount of the population who’s low or middle income, and then you also
households paid at least
Montgomery ISD is now offering registration for Pre - K Kindergarten andd for the 2022-2023 school year!
48% of income towards rent. of renters
This compares to statewide in Texas.
SOURCE: AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY 5-YEAR 2020 ESTIMATES/COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
have ... a higher amount of population that’s rent burdened, you know that the overlap of those two categories is causing serious harm to those people,” Martin said. “They’re then either falling behind on rent or unable to buy other life necessities like food.” According to 2020 ACS 5-year estimates, 28.9% of households in Montgomery County made under $50,000 in 2020. Martin noted the federal government’s 2020 median income is $67,521, meaning a portion of the 16% of residents making between $50,000-$75,000 would qualify as low to middle income.
Transportation Provided All Teachers are Early Childhood Certified Full-Day on Elementary Campus PE, Music, Art and Library Classes Curriculum-Based to Prepare Learners for School
Lone Star Groundwater ConservationDistrict hires lobbying consultants for representation
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LSGCD President Harry Hardman cited changes in representation due to redistricting in Montgomery County
Lone Star Groundwater Con- servation District directors voted unanimously to hire two Austin-based lobbying firms for “legislative repre- sentation” at a March 8 meeting ahead of the 88th Texas Legislature in 2023. Directors voted
as a reason for hiring the firms. “We need a strong presence
educating lawmakers and advocating for our issues daily at the capitol in Austin, especially in light of our
for the firms Phenix & Saenz and Sabrina T. Brown Consult- ing. According to a LSGCD news release, both firms have a “proven track record of guiding public entities in achieving their goals.” The LSGCD sent a
“I’MHAPPY TO ADVOCATE FOR THIS BECAUSEWE NEED IT; WE NEED IT RIGHT NOW." JON PAUL BOUCHE, LONE STAR GROUNDWATERCONSERVATION DISTRICT BOARDMEMBER
Documents Needed for Registration
district’s changes in representation,” Hardman said. “Our recommendation is solely to amplify the voices of our residents.” Board Member Jon Paul Bouche said he had previ- ously advocated
1-Original Birth Certificate 2- Two Proofs of Residency in MISD Current Utility Bill with Parent or Guardian Name and Address Lease Agreement, Mortgage or HUD Statement, Rental Agreement or Closing Documents 3-Child's Social Security Card 4-Current Immunization Records 5-Parent/Guardian Government Issued ID Pre-K: Must be 4 years old on or before September 1, 2022 Kindergarten: Must be 5 years old on or before September 1, 2022
request for proposals Feb. 8. Accord- ing to responses, the district would begin paying for services in April before the Legislature returns in 2023.
against hiring a consultant but now believes it necessary as “other inter- ested parties” had lobbyists working against county residents.
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CONROE - MONTGOMERY EDITION • APRIL 2022
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