Rental Assistance Guide 16649 Hollister St. Houston, TX 77066 Ph: 281-880-7500 or 1-866-835-7500 Fax: 281-880-7570 www.sterling-relo.com www.relocatewithsterling.com email: [email protected] TABLE OF CONTENTS General Information 1 Education 2 Leasing Information 3 Helpful Web sites 4 General Information Inside Houston Inside this issue: Inside Houston/ 1 Houston is the largest city in with oil discovery in 1901, has the city limits”. The Port of Culture the state of Texas, the fourth induced continual surges in Houston ranks first in the Unit- largest in the United States. As Houston’s population. In the ed States in international water- of the 2009 U.S. Census esti- 20th century, Houston became borne tonnage handled and Cityscapes/ 2 mate, it had a population of the home of the Texas Medical second in total cargo tonnage Geography/ Climates more than 2.3 million. The city Center, the world’s largest con- handled. Houston has more covers more than 600 square centration of healthcare and than 60 colleges, universities, Weather 3 miles (1,600 km²). Houston is research institutions, and and other degree-granting insti- the county seat of Harris Coun- NASA’s Lyndon B. Johnson tutions with a total enrollment Economy/ TV & Ra- 4 ty and part of the Houston- Space Center. of approximately 360,000 stu- dio Stations Sugar Land-Baytown metropol- dents. It is also home to Rice itan area, the sixth largest met- University and the University of Demographics/ Arts 5 ropolitan area in the U.S. with a Houston. population of more than 5.9 & Entertainment/ Houston is a multicultural city million. Healthcare with a large and growing inter- Houston was founded on Au- national community. The Mu- METRORail/ 6 gust 30, 1836 by brothers Au- seum District is home to many Transportation gustus Chapman Allen and cultural institutions and exhib- John Kirby Allen on land near its, attracting more than 7 mil- the banks of Buffalo Bayou. lion visitors a year. Houston Sports/ DPS Loca- 7 The city was incorporated on Houston’s economy has a has an active visual and per- June 5, 1837 and named after broad industrial base in the forming arts scene as one of Driving/ Activities/ 8 General Sam Houston, com- energy, aeronautics, and tech- five U.S. cities that offer year Cost of Living mander at the Battle of San nology industries and only New round resident companies in all Jacinto. The burgeoning port York City is home to more major performing arts. and railroad industry, combined Fortune 500 headquarters “in Pest & Bug/ Librar- 9 ies/ Places of Wor- Social Groups for 10 Culture Mom/ Crime Houston is a multicultural city 1967 because it is home to held over 20 days in late Febru- with a large and growing inter- NASA’s Lyndon B. Johnson ary to early March. Another Special points of national community. The city is Space Center. Other nicknames large celebration is the annual interest: home to the nation’s third include “H-Town”, “The Big night-time Houston Pride Pa- largest concentration of consu- Heart”, “Bayou City”, and rade, held at the end of June. Houston is home to more lar offices representing 86 na- “Magnolia City”. Other annual events include the than 2 million people tions. Houston is designated as Many annual events celebrate Greek Festival, Art Car Parade, Only New York City has a world-class city by the Glob- the diverse cultures of Hou- and the Houston International more Fortune 500 alization and World Cities Festival. Study Group and Network. ston. The largest and longest headquarters Houston received the official running is the annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, The official nickname of nickname of “Space City” in Houston is “Space City” P a g e 2 General Information Cityscapes According to the United States recurring problem for the city. toward downtown; Brays Bayou, Census Bureau, the city has a Downtown stands about 50 feet which runs along the Texas total area of 601.7 square miles (15 m) above sea level, and the Medical Center; and Sims Bayou, (1,558.4 km²); this comprises highest point in far northwest which runs through the south of 579.4 square miles (1,500.7 km²) Houston is about 125 feet (38 m) Houston and downtown of land and 22.3 square miles in elevation. The city once relied Houston. The ship channel (57.7 km²) of water. on groundwater for its needs, but continues past Galveston and land subsidence forced the city Most of Houston is located on then into the Gulf of Mexico. to turn to gound-level water the gulf coastal plain, and its sources such as Lake Houston vegetation is classified as and Lake Conroe. temperate grassland and forest. Much of the city was built of Houston has four major boyous forested land, marshes, swamp, passing through the city. Buffalo or prairie, which are all still Bayou runs through downtown visible in surrounding areas. and the Houston Ship Channel, Flatness of the local terrain, and has three tributaries: White when combined with urban Oak Bayou, which runs through sprawl, has made flooding a the Heights neighborhood and Geography Houston was incorporated by outlying areas, suburbs and en- the city in addition to downtown, The highest 1837 under the ward system of claves are located outside the which include Uptown, Texas representation. The ward desig- loop. Beltway 8 encircles the city Medical Center, Greenway Plaza, temperature ever nation is the progenitor of the another 5 miles farther out. Westchase, and Greenspoint. nine current-day Houston City Houston, being the largest city in Council districts. Locations in recorded in Houston the United States without zoning Houston are generally classified regulations, has expanded with- was 109ºF on as either being inside or outside out land use planning. Rather the Interstate 610 Loop. The than a simple central business September 4, 2000. inside encompasses the central district as the center of the city’s business district and many resi- employment, multiple business dential areas have been devel- districts have grown throughout oped within the loop. The city’s Climate Houston’s climate is classified as average of 99 days per year conditioning in nearly every Month, is 61°F (16°C), Houston humid subtropical. Prevailing above 90°F (32°C). However, vehicle and building in the city; sees an average of 18 days per winds are from the south and the humidity results in a heat in fact, in 1980 Houston was year of 32°F (0°C) or less. southwest during most of the index higher than the actual described as the “most air Snowfall is rare, but the last year, bringing heat across the temperature. Summer mornings conditioned place on earth”. snowstorm to hit Houston was continent from the deserts of average over 90 percent relative The hottest temperature ever on December 04, 2009. The Mexico and moisture from the humidity and approximately 60 recorded in Houston was 109°F colest temperature ever recorded Gulf of Mexico. percent in the afternoon. Winds (43°C) on September 4, 2000. in Houston was 5°F (-15°C) on are often light in the summer and During the summer months, it is Winters in Houston are cool and January 23, 1940. offer little relief, except near the common for the temperature to temperate. While the average immediate coast. To cope with reach over 90°F (34°C), with an the heat, people use air high in January, the coldest General Information P a g e 3 Normal Temperature Ranges Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Average 61 66 73 79 85 91 94 93 89 82 72 65 79 high °F Average 41 44 51 58 65 71 73 73 68 59 50 44 58 low °F Average 4.2 3.1 3.8 3.5 5.6 6.3 3.5 4.3 5.8 4.0 4.8 3.9 52.8 precipi- tation: inches Weather Facts Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale Hurricane season is from June through November. The information below is a reference guide to Houston is a city that is prone better understand Hurricane weather reports. The scale rates a hurricane’s intensity based on wind to extreme weather conditions speed, and helps estimate damage and flooding from a hurricane landfall. such as intense heat, flood- Catego- Winds Damage Effects ing, and drought. It is im- ry (MPH) portant to be aware of these 1 74-95 Minimal No real damage to building structures. Damage primarily to unanchored mobile homes, shrubbery, and trees. Also, some coastal road flooding and minor pier damage. conditions without becoming 2 96-110 Moderate Some roofing material, door, and window damage to buildings. Considerable alarmed damage to vegetation, mobile homes, and piers. Coastal and low-lying escape routes floor 2-4 hours before arrival of center. Small craft in unprotected anchor- Drive with caution during age break moorings. heavy rain, do not attempt to 3 111-130 Extensive Some structural damage to small residences and utility buildings with a minor amount of curtain wall failures. Mobile homes are destroyed. Flooding near the drive through high water coast destroys smaller structures with larger structures damaged by floating debris. Terrain continuously lower than 5 feet ASL may be flooded inland 8 miles or more. Overpasses tend to freeze 4 131-155 Extensive More extensive curtain wall failures with some complete roof structure failure on small residences. Major erosion of beach. Major damage to lower floors of struc- faster than the roadway tures near the shore.