HPD’s Reclaiming the Antoine Corridor

The Antoine corridor in the north part of Houston, was once “the place to live” in
Houston. In the early 90’s the area began a slow downward decline until it became one of the most
notorious area in all of Houston. By 2006, violent crime was out of control, and honest citizens refused
to travel through the area, let alone live there.
Analysis: The Antoine corridor is a one square mile area of north which was home to 15 apartment
complexes with approximately 4670 units in total. Most of the apartment complexes suffered from
neglect and lack of maintenance; some had deteriorated into outright slum conditions. These
complexes were populated by gang members, drug dealers and registered sex offenders. The area was
further impacted in 2005 with the addition of Hurricane Katrina evacuees from New Orleans when the
murder rate more than tripled.
Response: For several years, the Houston Police Department poured over $100,000 per month using
traditional policing programs. In 2005, HPD’s North Differential Response Team (DRT) began aggressive
code enforcement, addressing life safety violations at all 15 of the apartment complexes. In 2007, HPD
and the city were successful in litigation that resulted in the demolition of a 300 unit condominium
project, the first of several sub-standard multi-family units to be razed in the targeted area. In 2009,
HPD worked with the Houston City Council to enact the first apartment enforcement ordinance, which is
a set of guidelines for evaluating high crime complexes to identify and implement corrective action. It
also created a Blue Star Program whereby apartment managers could receive training in crime
prevention and CPTED techniques, with the goal of becoming an HPD Blue Star Certified property. In
2010, the Management District, working closely with HPD and stakeholders in the community,
commissioned a redevelopment study subsidized by grants to revitalize the neighborhood. The projects
born of this collaboration caused a dynamic change in the neighborhood.
Assessment: The combined efforts of HPD, the Management District, and community stakeholders have
resulted in a 57% reduction in Part One Crime since 2006 and a 62% reduction in narcotics cases over 5
years. Gangs and drug dealers have largely abandoned the area, apartments are attracting families back
into the neighborhood, and developers and business have returned.

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