Meet the local nonprofit helping us build affordable housing
Tucked away in the heart of Houston’s Greater Third Ward is The Center for Civic and Public Policy Improvement (CCPPI). We mention them in every blog we write about the Midtown Redevelopment Authority’s affordable housing program, but you may not be aware of who they are and what they do. Here is an introduction.
What is CCPPI?
Formed in 2012, CCPPI is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing policies that promote human, civic, social, and economic justice and taking the necessary action to affect progress in all areas of civic improvement throughout the culturally diverse communities in the southern United States. Helping ensure every person has access to a safe, clean, reliable, and affordable place to live is one way they strive to meet that mission.
What is CCPPI’s role?
CCPPI has its offices in the same area where private and nonprofit developers are working with MRA and CCPPI to turn vacant lots into affordable housing, providing options for residents to stay in the neighborhood where they grew up. The organization helps MRA with program administration and manages the requests for proposals. They provide a second set of eyes in the vetting process to ensure selected builders and developers have the experience and financial capacity to produce quality housing at the required price points.
The impact of affordable housing
A 2022 study conducted by CCPPI, in collaboration with the Institute for Urban Policy Research & Analysis (IUPRA) at the University of Texas at Austin, found stark racial disparities in the ability to attain stable housing through homeownership. Passing wealth through homeownership is particularly inaccessible for Black individuals, families, and communities.
Today, only 39% of Black Texans own homes, compared to 66% of white families. In Houston, Black homeownership has dropped significantly and is far behind white, Hispanic, and Asian homeownership rates, falling from 36% in 2010 to 31% in 2018, according to the study.
Residents who become homeowners build equity and retain an asset to pass on to future generations, something not available to renters. Increasing the rate of homeownership also provides neighborhood stability. With affordable housing options offered by the MRA/CCPPI program, residents can build generational wealth and stay in the neighborhood where they grew up.
Read more and find out if you qualify here.