Private

In 1976, many Americans had given up on cities. HR&A was founded that year as a small California firm analyzing public budgets and grounded in the belief that cities were worth investing in. In the decades since, cities have proved the skeptics wrong, and they have kept us busier than ever. For 50 years, HR&A […]

Texas cities, including Houston, have powered the state’s rapid growth. But growth hasn’t insulated them from economic uncertainty, technological change, rising housing and energy costs, climate risk, and fiscal pressure. These forces are deepening inequity and leaving leaders with fewer tools to respond. As one of the country’s fastest-growing, most diverse cities, Houston is a […]

Flip a switch in New York, and the light comes on. Almost no one thinks twice about it. But that reliability powers an economy. HR&A is proud to have partnered with Con Edison on its 2025 Economic Impact Report: → $24.8 billion in economic output, about 1% of New York State’s GDP → 39,700 jobs […]

Adaptation is not only a climate question. It requires finance, design, engineering, and policy to come together around infrastructure investment, land use, housing, and economic development. That is why our climate practice is built as a cross-disciplinary group rather than a specialty bench. Similarly, our decarbonization work charting effective pathways to reducing emissions also requires cross-sector expertise.

For 20 years, the American housing debate was an argument over permission – who gets to build what, and where. That argument isn't over. But it is no longer who or what decides whether homes get built. Now, cost drives the conversation.

When the private market fails to deliver fresh, affordable food to the communities that need it most, local government has to step in. That was the shared conviction behind a recent conversation hosted by HR&A Advisors, the Mayors Innovation Project, Mayors for America, and Local Progress Impact Lab.

California has never been short on ambition. But ambition without results leaves communities behind, and right now, communities across the state are navigating compounding challenges — aging infrastructure, a housing crisis, climate risk, a challenging job market, and an economy in flux.  What does it actually take to get hard things done in California? On June 18, HR&A Advisors hosted an […]

We’re looking forward to joining clients, collaborators, thought leaders, and changemakers at the Urban Land Institute’s 2026 Spring Meeting in Nashville. As the industry comes together to exchange ideas and shape the future of cities, our team will share insights from decades of work at the intersection of real estate, economic development, and resilience.   Speaking Engagements: […]

Cities don’t have the luxury of treating climate change as a future problem. The decisions being made right now — about buildings, energy systems, coastlines, and infrastructure — will shape whether cities can keep their promises to residents on both resilience and affordability. This Earth Day, we’re reflecting on the work HR&A teams have been […]

New York City’s launch of its public grocery store initiative is an exciting step towards making public options a reality in more places. By late 2027, the City plans to open its first publicly owned grocery store and aims to expand the model to every borough by the end of the Mayor’s term.   HR&A Advisors is […]

HR&A is excited to welcome Drex Owusu to our Board of Directors. Drex is a dynamic leader at the intersection of education, economic development, and civic engagement. His experience aligns with HR&A’s continued growth in Texas and our efforts to deepen the firm’s leadership and impact. Drex’s career reflects a consistent commitment to catalyzing economic […]

Land values around many campuses are climbing faster than HBCUs can capitalize on them. My first visit to a Historically Black College or University was to Howard University during its famous homecoming celebrations. I was visiting as a student from UC Berkeley, newly initiated into my fraternity, and I was immediately embraced by my brothers […]