About CFHPE

The Center for Housing and Poverty Education (CFHPE) is dedicated to improving public understanding of poverty and housing instability through evidence-based education, accessible resources, and systems-focused analysis.

We believe that addressing poverty requires understanding it as a systemic issue rather than an individual failing. Through our educational programs and resources, we aim to build a more nuanced public conversation about poverty's causes and solutions.

Our work focuses on the Greater Houston area while drawing connections to national patterns and policies. We are committed to providing clear, accessible information that helps build empathy and reduce stigma around poverty and housing instability.

SystemsOfPoverty.info is an educational program operated by CFHPE that focuses on explaining the systems, policies, and historical factors that contribute to poverty. The program is designed to complement direct service efforts by improving public literacy around systemic causes and long-term solutions.

This resource addresses a critical gap: poverty is frequently framed as an individual failure rather than a systemic outcome. This framing obscures the roles of policy, labor markets, housing systems, education, and historical inequities.

In the Greater Houston area—one of the most economically diverse regions in the country—these systems are especially visible yet poorly understood. SystemsOfPoverty.info provides:

• Educational articles on structural drivers of poverty
• Clear explanations of policy and economic systems
• Contextual analysis accessible to non-experts
• Content designed for reuse in educational settings

SystemsOfPoverty.info is part of a broader ecosystem of resources operated by CFHPE:

Together, these resources form a comprehensive approach to addressing poverty through education, resource connection, and systems change.

CFHPE's work is guided by several core principles:

Evidence-Based

We ground our educational content in research and data, providing context and nuance rather than simplistic narratives.

Systems-Focused

We emphasize structural analysis over individual blame, helping people understand how systems shape outcomes.

Accessible

We present complex information in clear, plain language that is accessible to a broad audience.

Non-Partisan

We focus on explaining systems rather than advocating specific policies, allowing readers to form their own informed conclusions.

Dignity-Centered

We center the dignity and agency of people experiencing poverty in all our communications and resources.

To learn more about CFHPE and our work, please visit our main website at cfhpe.org. There you can find information about:

• Our full range of programs and initiatives
• Research and publications
• Ways to support our work
• Educational resources and events
• Contact information for inquiries