Department of Neighborhoods

About the Director

TaKasha L. Francis was appointed by Mayor Sylvester Turner and unanimously confirmed by City Council as director of the Department of Neighborhoods on March 25, 2016. A native Houstonian and graduate of Texas Southern University and the Thurgood Marshall School of Law, she previously served as State of Texas Assistant Attorney General in the Child Support Division. She also founded The Francis Firm P.C., a boutique law firm specializing in family law and civil litigation. As director, Ms. Francis oversees the Department of Neighborhoods’ multi-faceted operations designed to improve quality of life for Houston residents through neighborhood cleanup and enhancement initiatives, citizen assistance, anti-gang and juvenile delinquency prevention programs for at-risk youth, services for immigrant and refugee communities, and community outreach to promote civic engagement, diversity, cultural understanding and inclusiveness. A driven leader, Ms. Francis is highly committed to uplifting all neighborhoods and believes that everyone deserves a beautiful place to call home.