Alief has long prided itself as being one of the most diverse neighborhoods in one of the most diverse cities in America.
Situated on the far southwest side of Houston, over half the neighborhood’s residents were born in other countries, and over 100 languages are spoken in the area’s school district alone. That rich international heritage has engendered a fierce regional pride that feels unique within the greater Houston area.
But despite its strong sense of identity, Alief, the most populous neighborhood in Houston, has been losing residents by the thousands. Census data shows that the neighborhood lost about 7% of its total population between 2018 and 2023 while other parts of the Houston area, especially in the suburbs, grew rapidly…