HREC is composed of five industry Councils: office, industrial, retail, multi-family and single family residential. These Councils cover the broad types of private land use in our community. Many of Houston’s leading and most active real estate development and investment companies are active members. Senior representatives from these member firms take an active role in the organization.

HREC members’ activities cover the entire Houston metropolitan region. Created in the early 1990’s during an attempt by the City of Houston to adopt zoning, the City of Houston, the Council’s scope of interest has broadened significantly. As such, the Council is involved in the regulatory processes of the federal, state, county and city agencies which regulate the real estate industry. Members have served on every major task force and committee that has been created to address a wide range of issues, including (but certainly not limited to) building codes, transportation, drainage and flooding, parking, landscaping and street trees, water supply, planning, environmental issues and land use controls. The Council continuously monitors and acts on matters that affect the property rights of real estate owners.

Unlike other industry organizations HREC is an owners’ organization. There are no associate members or services providers. Members must be a recognized developer and /or investor in commercial real estate or residential development. This membership policy gives the Council an advantage in dealing with public officials. They know that when interacting with members of HREC they are dealing directly with the property owners who are impacted economically by the policy or action being considered.

The Houston Real Estate Council has also created HREC Real PAC, a political action committee which is active in supporting political candidates that understand the important role the real estate industry plays in the Houston economy and help advance the interest of the Council.