Community Mapping Initiative
 

Community Compass: A Community Development Mapping Initiative

LISC Houston is annually leveraging its GIS mapping resource and making it available to our currently funded organizations. This is an in-kind support of a consultant to work one-on-one with a select group of organizations to develop their unique mapping requests in support of the organization and/or the community they serve. Maps are a powerful tool and can provide a visual representation of the community and its assets, depict a complex problem, and help spur a dialogue. Demographic information, economic indicators, and local resources can all be shown with this tool. Additionally, being able to share information and insight of the community through a map facilitates collaboration and communication among partners. Overall, this mapping project’s purpose is to support the mission of LISC, which is revitalizing underserved communities and promoting economic development.

Eligibility
Currently funded LISC Houston partner agencies.
The number of projects selected will be based on the complexity and time needed to complete the project, as well as the cost.   

Instructions To Apply
Application is currently closed; additional information about future application cycles will be shared

For more information, contact houstoninitiatives@lisc.org. 

2023 Program Update

Through a competitive application process, LISC Houston-funded community-based organizations had the opportunity to apply for in-kind support of a consultant - provided by LISC – to work one-on-one with them and develop a unique map that would support the capacity building of their organization and/or the community they serve. 

In the process, LISC Houston forged a partnership with Dr. Ryan Ramphul, Assistant Professor at the UTHealth School of Public Health. Through Dr. Ramphul graduate course on Fundamentals and Applications of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Science, students develop real mapping projects for community-based organizations. The alignment between the goal of Community Compass and Dr. Ramphul’s efforts naturally fit for a perfect partnership to increase the number of projects selected for Community Compass.  As a result, LISC Houston was able to select four projects: two to be completed by LISC Houston’s consultant and two by Dr. Ramphul’s students.   

LISC Houston worked with:  

  • Wesley Community Center to create a map that visually depicts the services rendered and service gaps within their service area. 
  • Emancipation Economic Development Council to capture current retails businesses, vacant lots, locations for potential retail infill in order to effectively develop plans for economic revitalization within the Emancipation Avenue Main Street District in the Third Ward. 

Dr. Ramphul’s students worked with: 

  • AGAPE Development to create an affordable housing map for OST/South Union that visually informs income ranges to the types of properties vs. available vacant land.  Examples include rental/owner ratios, housing prices (rental and sales), density of housing units, housing costs in this neighborhood as a percentage of median income or income distributions, subsidized housing units, and NOAH housing properties.  
  • Friends of Columbia Tap to create an affordable housing dashboard for the Third Ward of affordable housing developments completed and in progress, including total planned units and units completed, management agency/organization, and funding sources. Dashboard would mirror Atlanta BeltLine Affordable Housing Dashboard. 

LISC Houston has used maps as a powerful tool to provide a visual representation of the community and its assets, depict a complex problem, and help spur a dialogue. Completed maps are below:

Wesley Community Center

This map is a depiction of Wesley Community Center's Clients from April 1, 2022-March 31, 2023 by zip code and program. Layers include social and demographic data and various Houston area City and County boundaries. While efforts have been made to confirm that information contained herein is accurate, no representations, guarantees, or warranties are made as to the availability, accuracy, completeness, currency or suitability of the information contained herein. Any and all liability for any claims or damages that may arise as a result of the information contained herein, including the use, reference, citation, or existence therefore, is expessly disclaimed.  The use, reference, or citation to the map shall be at your own risk.

Emancipation Economic Development Council

This map is a depiction of Economic Corridors focusing on Emanicpation Avenue in the Greater Third Ward. Layers include Land use, businesses, non-profit ownership, and new construction indicators.  While efforts have been made to confirm that information contained herein is accurate, no representations, guarantees, or warranties are made as to the availability, accuracy, completeness, currency or suitability of the information contained herein. Any and all liability for any claims or damages that may arise as a result of the information contained herein, including the use, reference, citation, or existence therefore, is expessly disclaimed.  The use, reference, or citation to the map shall be at your own risk.