Midtown Houston is committed to supporting inclusive growth and expanding opportunities for Houstonians to live, thrive, and build long-term stability.
Affordable housing remains a key part of Midtown Redevelopment Authority’s (MRA) broader commitment to community-driven revitalization. In partnership with the City of Houston Housing and Community Development Department (HCD), MRA helps implement the Midtown Affordable Housing Initiative by making MRA-owned land available to qualified affordable homebuilders and developers at no or nominal cost.
The initiative supports both single-family homeownership and multi-family affordable housing, with current investments primarily located in the Greater Third Ward, MacGregor, and OST/South Union super neighborhoods.
Qualified homebuyers may be eligible to purchase a home through the Midtown Affordable Housing Initiative. Eligible homes must meet affordability requirements, and buyers must complete income certification and homebuyer education before purchase.
Prospective buyers are encouraged to connect with the Houston Area Urban League (HAUL), a participating Midtown homebuilder, and/or a realtor to begin the process. Certain Midtown affordable homes may also be eligible for homebuyer incentives, including City of Houston or Texas homebuyer assistance programs such as down payment assistance, if the buyer qualifies.
Call the Houston Area Urban League (HAUL) to begin income pre-certification.
Select an eligible home to purchase through a Midtown homebuilder and/or work with a realtor to find an eligible home.
Register for and complete the required Homebuyer Education Workshops and training through HAUL or a HUD-approved Home Ownership Workshop.
Complete all eligibility and income certifications through HAUL.
HAUL notifies the applicant, realtor, homebuilder, and MRA once the application is complete and certified.
Sign required certifications confirming understanding of the affordability requirements for Midtown affordable homes.
Apply for any eligible City of Houston or Texas homebuyer incentives, such as down payment assistance.
Apply for a mortgage and receive approval.
Homebuyer closes on the home.
Homebuyers must have a household income of no more than 120% of the Area Median Income.
The home must meet HUD affordability requirements at the time of purchase. Specifically, the price cannot exceed 95% of the median home price for similar homes in Houston, as determined by HUD.
Purchased homes must be used as the buyer’s principal residence. Homes may not be rented, used as short-term rentals, or used for commercial or business purposes.
Buyers must occupy the home as their principal residence for the full MRA affordability period, which is 20 years. Buyers must repay a recapture fee to MRA if the home is no longer their principal residence, or if they rent or sell the home before the 20-year affordability period ends. The recapture fee is equivalent to the cost of the land provided by MRA at closing.
Before selling the home to another buyer, the homeowner must give MRA the opportunity to purchase the home at fair market value under the same terms being offered to the new buyer.
All participants must complete a homebuyer certification course through HAUL or another HUD-approved agency. If the course is completed outside of HAUL, buyers must also complete a two-hour HAUL session specific to the MRA affordability program.
For details about income pre-certification and the homebuyer certification process, contact:
Glenda Kizzee
Houston Area Urban League
Phone: (281) 220-6030
Email: [email protected]
Prospective buyers may contact participating homebuilders directly to ask about available homes and eligibility.
Boynton Houston CDC
Phone: (713) 748-6066
Email: [email protected]
Website: boyntonchapelhouston.com
Change Happens CDC
Phone: (713) 374-1192
Email: [email protected]
Website: crdesignbuild.com
Epic Homes
Phone: (346) 421-8990
Email: [email protected]
Website: epichomeshouston.com
Fifth Ward Community Redevelopment Corporation
Phone: (713) 674-0175
Email: [email protected]
Website: fifthwardcrc.org
Heart of Houston CDC
Phone: (713) 842-7535
Email: [email protected]
Website: heartofhoustoncdc.org
Houston Habitat for Humanity
Phone: (713) 671-9993
Email: [email protected]
Website: houstonhabitat.org
Mayberry Homes
Phone: (713) 523-8585
Email: [email protected]
Website: mayberryhomes.net
The Herbert Stroman Foundation
Phone: (832) 259-7617
Email: [email protected]
Titanium Builders
Phone: (800) 865-9871
Email: [email protected]
Website: titaniumbuildersllc.com
| Provider | Servcies |
| Avenue Community Development Corporation (713) 864-9099 | Homebuyer Education, Homeownership Programs, Financial Education, Foreclosure Prevention |
| Catholic Charities Community Development Corporation (713) 699-0785 | Homebuyer Education, Homeownership Programs |
| Catholic Charities of Galveston-Houston (713) 526-4611 | Homebuyer Education, Financial Education, Foreclosure Prevention |
| Chinese Community Center (713) 271-6100 ext. 205 | Homebuyer Education, Financial Education |
| Covenant Community Capital (713) 223-1864 ext. 15 | Homebuyer Education, Financial Education |
| Credit Coalition (713) 224-8100 | Homebuyer Education, Homeownership Programs, Financial Education, Foreclosure Prevention |
| Fifth Ward Community Redevelopment Corporation (713) 674-0175 | Homebuyer Education, Foreclosure Prevention |
| Houston Area Urban League (281) 220-6030 | Homebuyer Education, Financial Education, Foreclosure Prevention |
| Neighborhood Recovery Community Development Corporation (713) 520-5232 | Homebuyer Education, Homeownership Programs |
| Tejano Center for Community Concerns (713) 640-3743 | Homebuyer Education, Homeownership Programs, Financial Education, Foreclosure Prevention |
The Midtown Affordable Housing Initiative works with qualified affordable homebuilders to support the development of single-family homes for eligible buyers.
Builders and developers may access program forms, application materials, and homebuyer referral resources through the links below.
Through the Midtown Affordable Housing Initiative, MRA supports the development of multi-family affordable housing communities that expand housing access for Houston residents and families.
Multi-family affordable housing includes apartment buildings and other residential developments with multiple rental units.
| Community | Units |
| The Gray / New Hope Housing | 135 |
| Law Harrington / Montrose Center | 112 |
| Temenos Place Apartments / Temenos CDC | 43 |
| St. Charles Place / MRA | 20 |
| Homewood at Zion / Zion Gardens Ltd. | 70 |
| Total Completed Units | 380 |
| Community | Units |
| Trinity East Village | 148 |
| William A. Lawson Institute for Peace and Prosperity | 102 |
| Total Units Under Construction | 250 |
| Community | Units |
| Serenity Palms / HBDI, Inc. | 247 |
| Total Board Authorized, Pending Construction | 247 |
For additional information about the Midtown Redevelopment Authority Affordable Housing Initiative, please contact:
Amy Connolly
Chief of Staff and Assistant Director
City of Houston Housing and Community Development Department
Email: [email protected]
