Squatters and crime remain top concerns in northwest Harris County neighborhood
Dozens of Texas Central Railroad homes in White Oak Falls sit empty. Neighbors are fed up with squatters, crime, and unanswered questions.
Dozens of abandoned homes owned by Texas Central Railroad continue to plague the White Oak Falls neighborhood in northwest Harris County, where residents report ongoing issues with squatters and crime.
A KPRC 2 investigation spanning more than a year reveals that 41 houses, originally purchased for a stalled high-speed rail project, now sit in various states of disrepair across three neighborhood streets.
Crime and squatters impact community
Harris County Sheriff’s Office records show 20 suspected crimes reported since 2020 in the affected area, including assault, robbery, burglary, and vandalism. The crimes are concentrated along three streets where Texas Central Railroad purchased the properties.
One property, dubbed the “Sex House” by locals, has become emblematic of the neighborhood’s struggles. While sheriff’s records show no reported sexual assaults in the past five years, residents describe the vacant homes as havens for illegal activity.
“All these homes were a haven to squatters, haven to drug addicts, people falling into prostitution,” said one longtime resident who built their house from the ground up.
Legal challenges with current occupants
Some current occupants of the abandoned properties claim legitimate residency. Nancy Perez, one such occupant, claims she’s on a payment plan to purchase her home, though she could not provide documentation to support this claim. Her son, living next door, similarly failed to produce proof of ownership, claiming his paperwork was “damaged in Hurricane Beryl”.
A judge has since ordered Perez, her son, and others to vacate the properties immediately.
Railroad company’s response
Texas Central Railroad, which owns the 41 properties, has faced criticism for failing to secure and maintain the homes. When approached for comment about plans for the properties, the company’s local representative, Chuck Keyes, declined to discuss the matter.
According to neighbors, there are unofficial reports that the company may be considering renovating and renting the properties—an unusual business venture for a high-speed rail company.
Last year, 2 Investigates received the following unsigned response from Texas Central:
“We are aware of issues involving Texas Central owned properties in the White Oak Falls neighborhood in Harris County. We have started and completed evictions on several properties. Texas Central is working diligently with local authorities to address these issues.”
Future uncertain
The situation in White Oak Falls highlights the complex issues that can arise when large-scale infrastructure projects stall, leaving communities to deal with the aftermath of property acquisitions that may never serve their intended purpose.
