Affordable housing construction takes off in Houston’s Greater Third Ward
New affordable rooftops are popping up all over Houston’s Greater Third Ward and the OST/South Union area as the Midtown Redevelopment Authority/Center for Civic and Public Policy Improvement affordable housing program expands and accelerates. As of the end of June, 12 builders had projects completed, underway, or planned for the near future.
Program participants include CR Design Build, Houston Habitat for Humanity, LIN Development, Park Street Homes, and Titanium Builders LLC. They join Agapè Homes, Cole Klein Builders, HBDi, HouProperties, Mayberry Homes, and ReWard Third Ward, all of which have been part of the MRA/CCPPI initiative for many years. And we told you about the entry of Boynton Chapel Methodist Church to the program earlier this year.
Nearly 80 new homes
Here is what each builder is working on right now:
- Agapè Homes has four lots slated for development.
- Cole Klein Builders is working on six new homes.
- CR Design Build has three lots secured for construction.
- HBDi recently sold three homes and has two more on the market.
- Houston Habitat for Humanity will soon break ground on two homes.
- LIN Development Group is about to start work on two lots.
- Mayberry Homes is working on 45 new homes, most of which are part of the Southern Palm subdivision.
- Park Street Homes are constructing 10 new homes.
- Titanium Builders has one home under construction.
Together, these projects total nearly 80 new affordable homes available now or in the months to come for qualifying homebuyers in the Greater Third Ward.
The goals
The MRA/CCPPI affordable housing program aims to create affordable housing options that will preserve neighborhoods by allowing residents to stay where they grew up and build generational wealth. MRA provides the land to the builders for free or at a dramatically reduced cost, and the city subsidizes some of the infrastructure costs, allowing the builders to deliver an affordable price point with market-rate amenities.
There is a constant flow of potential buyers for these homes from qualifying individuals and families who might not otherwise be able to afford homeownership. The homes are available to buyers with a median household income below 120% of the area median income who complete the homebuyer education course offered by the Houston Area Urban League. Buyers must use the home as their primary residence for at least 20 years. If the owner does not live there for at least 20 years, there is a requirement to repay a portion of the land cost.
To learn more, connect with one of our builders, contact HAUL, or read and watch our past blogs and videos here.