A recent report from Rice University’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research paints a sobering reality: Houston’s affordable housing shortage continues to grow, threatening to push more families out of reach of stable, affordable homes. As rent and home prices surge, many low-to-moderate-income families face housing insecurity. The report reveals Houston’s current housing market has an unmet demand of over 150,000 affordable units. This gap widens every year, leaving vulnerable populations without viable options.
The Midtown Redevelopment Authority (MRA) and Center for Civic and Public Policy Improvement (CCPPI) are responding to this crisis through their affordable housing program and its focus on creating sustainable, high-quality homes in some of Houston’s most desirable neighborhoods. Our key partners in this effort are the Houston Area Urban League, realtors and for-profit and nonprofit builders of single and multi-family housing, like New Hope Housing (NHH), which is building its first affordable senior community on land donated by MRA. NHH Gray is an example of how thoughtfully designed affordable developments can provide Houston’s most at-risk residents with safe, dignified homes in a rapidly changing urban landscape.
The MRA/CCPPI affordable housing program goes beyond simply creating homes—it strengthens communities. From the NHH Gray development to Mayberry Homes’ Southern Palm subdivision in the Third Ward to Habitat for Humanity’s projects, our focus is on providing stable housing near essential services, public transportation, and job opportunities, thus fostering vibrant, connected neighborhoods.
A s the Kinder Institute’s report points out, the need for the need for affordable housing options is more urgent than ever. With rising rents and property values far outpacing wage growth, a comprehensive, multi-sector approach is crucial. This is why it is so critical that the MRA/CCPPI program continue. It is the only program that blends affordability with high-quality, community-driven design in the Greater Third Ward and OST/South Union areas. We want to help residents stay in or return to the neighborhoods where they grew up, ultimately building generational wealth.
Key Details of the MRA/CCPPI program:
- Median household income cannot exceed 120% of the area median income (AMI).
- The home must be the homebuyer’s primary residence.
- Homebuyers must reside in the homes for at least 20 years or pay Midtown for the cost of the land.
- Homebuyers must complete a homebuyer education course.
Visit the MRA website or contact any of our participating developers to learn more and join us in our mission to make affordable housing a reality for all Houstonians.
Agape Development
(346) 396-4380 or info@agapehomescdc.org
CR Design Build
(281) 822-0922 or charles@crdesignbuild.com
HBDI
(713) 845-2400 or m.mitchell@hbdi.org
Heart of Houston CDC
713-842-7535 or Aileen@heartofhoustoncdc.org
Houston Habitat for Humanity
(713) 671-9993 or ahay@houstonhabitat.org
LIN Development
(866) 995-7452 or support@lindevelopment.com
Mayberry Homes
(713) 423-8585 or stacie@mayberrhomes.net
New Hope Housing
(713) 222-0290 or info@newhopehousing.com
Park Street Homes
(832) 447-7533 or info@parkstreethomes.com
Titanium Builders
(800) 865-9871 or info@titaniumbuildersllc.com