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As part of the Groundbreaking for the Hollows, HCHA CEO and Executive Director Horace Allison and representatives from LDG Development shared their thoughts on how quality housing helps our community.
HOUSTON, TX (Wednesday, February 3, 2021) – The Harris County Housing Authority (HCHA), Harris County – Community Services Department (HCCSD), Harris County Precinct Two Commissioner Adrian Garcia, the Texas General Land Office (GLO.), and development partner LDG Development (LDG) celebrate the groundbreaking of The Hollows, a multifamily development to replace housing lost during Hurricane Harvey. The development will be financed with Harris County’s Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds in conjunction with construction and private permanent financing from Citi Community Capital and tax credit equity from Hunt Capital Partners.
This $39.35 million community’s groundbreaking will create 192 beautiful new apartment homes for families seeking quality housing in the Channelview area.
“We are pleased to partner with LDG Development to provide much-needed quality housing for Harris County families,” said Horace Allison, AIA, Executive Director and CEO of Harris County Housing Authority. “This multifamily housing community will replace housing resources lost during Hurricane Harvey while adding an attractive, viable, and valuable asset to the neighborhood.”
The Hollows will provide a wide array of amenities to the families it serves, including a fully equipped clubhouse, business center, fitness center, laundry facilities, a swimming pool with a sun deck, and a playground.
“The Hollows project is one of sixteen the Harris County Community Services Department is supporting with the use of HUD CDBG Disaster Recovery funds in the effort to replenish housing stock lost from several past disasters,” said CSD Director Dr. Adrienne Holloway. “These developments provide a significant investment in the effort to provide affordable housing for all who live and work in Harris County.”
The Hollows is expected to begin leasing in 2022. Rents will range from $384 to $848 for a one-bedroom/one-bath unit, $532 to $1,065 for a two-bedroom/two-bath, and $615 to $1,230 for a three-bedroom/two-bath unit.
“We are in a housing crisis. Families who were first displaced by natural disasters like Hurricane Harvey are now facing difficulty staying in the places they grew up because of rising costs,” said Harris County Precinct Two Commissioner Adrian Garcia. “As we face the economic impacts of COVID-19, which is placing additional strain on families, I am proud that we are coming together to bring new, quality housing units for Harris County families.”
This development is one of several housing communities being developed by HCHA in partnership with the private and public sectors to serve families recovering from Hurricane Harvey’s aftermath.
“The Texas General Land Office is committed to helping Texas communities recover from the widespread damage caused by Hurricane Harvey,” said Heather Lagrone, Director of Disaster Recovery, Texas General Land Office. ““The Hollows is one of many multifamily developments the GLO is funding with long-term disaster recovery assistance to restore affordable rental housing for Texas families. We are very pleased these funds will provide an additional 192 units of quality housing for families in Harris County.”
The total development cost for The Hollows is $39.35 million, comprised of $9.9 million in private equity funding arranged by Hunt Capital Partners, LLC, and $17.07 million debt financing provided by Citibank Community Capital, as well as $11.12 million in financing provided by Harris County Community Services Department using Community Development Block Grant–Disaster Recovery funds from the Texas General Land Office and a $1.2 million deferred developer fee.
“LDG was founded more than 25 years ago based on our belief that everyone deserves a quality place to live. We are committed to ensuring more communities have access to safe, stable and quality housing that can serve as the foundation for improving outcomes that strengthen the entire community,” said Justin Hartz, Development Director, LDG Development.
HCHA is currently developing more than 650 additional housing units scheduled to be brought into the Harris County housing rental market in 2022.
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Harris County Housing Authority applies to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development to obtain additional housing vouchers to assist families with children moving into high opportunity areas under the Housing Choice Voucher Mobility Demonstration Program
The Harris County Housing Authority is seeking 150 vouchers under the Housing Choice Voucher Mobility Demonstration program sponsored by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. The demonstration program’s primary goals are to provide vouchers (rental assistance) and mobility-related services to facilitate and assist families in moving from higher-poverty areas to high opportunity (low-poverty) areas and the effectiveness evaluation of implemented strategies to accomplish the program goals.
“Our mission is to assist families in obtaining the quality housing in quality areas of the Harris County where families will have a greater chance of success in becoming self-sufficient,” said Horace Allison, HCHA Executive Director, and CEO. “This demonstration program will provide funding and services to increase the number of families with children being able to reside in high-opportunity areas.”
The mobility-related services will include but are not limited to the following: pre-move services, housing search assistance, landlord recruitment, Family financial Assistance, and post-move services.
The application will be submitted by February 2020.
HCHA offices will be closed on Monday, January 18, 2021 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. day.
Mainstream Vouchers serve non-elderly persons, under the age of 62, with disabilities. Unlike the regular voucher program, the eligible family member does not need to be the household head.
“The additional 75 vouchers will assist the HCHA in furtherance of its goal to provide rental assistance to needy eligible families,” said Horace Allison, Executive Director, and CEO, HCHA. “The additional vouchers are being provided to assist families struggling with acquiring and maintaining decent, safe, and sanitary housing during the Covid-19 Pandemic.”
Nationwide, HUD is making up to $150 million in mainstream funding available for additional mainstream vouchers to help public housing agencies prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus as authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
“We are pleased to apply for this new opportunity provided by HUD to provide housing at this critical time in our community,” said Gerald Womack, HCHA Board Chair. “This application will allow HCHA to provide housing for 75 additional families beyond our regular voucher program, which has provided vouchers for 4794 families to date in 2020.”
The application was submitted on November 1, 2020 and should be approved by early 2021. If approved, HCHA will take applicants from its 2020 waiting list.
Groundbreaking Ceremony held Thursday, Dec. 17
HOUSTON, TX (Thursday, December 17, 2020) – The Harris County Housing Authority, Harris County – Community Services Department (HCCSD), Harris County Precinct One Commissioner Rodney Ellis, the Texas General Land Office (GLO), and development partner Atlantic Pacific Communities (A|P Communities) celebrate the groundbreaking of The Arbor at Wayforest, a multifamily development to replace housing lost during Hurricane Harvey. The development will be financed with Harris County’s Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds in conjunction with construction financing and tax credit equity from Bank of America and private permanent financing from Citi Community Capital. A virtual groundbreaking ceremony will be hosted on Thursday, December 17 at 11 a.m. CT. Access to the virtual ceremony is available upon request. The groundbreaking of this $35M community will create 192 beautiful new apartment homes for families seeking quality housing in the Greenspoint area.
“We are pleased to partner with Atlantic Pacific Communities to provide additional housing for Harris County families,” said Horace Allison, AIA, Executive Director and CEO of Harris County Housing Authority. “This multifamily housing community will replace desperately needed housing resources lost during Hurricane Harvey while adding an attractive, viable, and valuable asset to the neighborhood.”
The new multifamily housing community will provide a wide array of amenities to the families it serves, including a fully equipped clubhouse, business center, fitness center, and laundry facilities. Family members will also enjoy amenities including a swimming pool with a sun deck, a playground, and a dog park. Additionally, the housing development is located near major employment centers such as Houston Intercontinental Airport and ExxonMobil.
“The Arbor at Wayforest apartments is one of 16 projects HCCSD has undertaken to bring new and revitalized multifamily housing stock to Harris County, utilizing federal Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) grant dollars. Working with HUD, the Texas General Land Office (GLO), Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis, and our development partnership of the Harris County Housing Authority and Atlantic Pacific Communities, we are able to leverage these funds with other public and private equity sources to replace housing stock damaged in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, and the floods of 2015 and 2016,” said HCCSD Executive Director Adrienne Holloway. “The result is better quality housing for residents who work every day to build a future for themselves and our community.”
The Arbor at Wayforest is expected to begin leasing in 2022. Rents will range from $532 to $1,065 for a two-bedroom and two-bathroom and $615 to $1,230 for a three-bedroom and two-bathroom.
This development is one of several housing communities being developed by the Harris County Housing Authority in partnership with the private and public sectors to serve families recovering from Hurricane Harvey’s aftermath. The Harris County Housing Authority is currently developing more than 650 additional housing units scheduled to be brought into the Harris County housing rental market by 2022.
“We are in a housing crisis. Families who were first displaced by natural disasters like Hurricane Harvey are now facing difficulty staying in the places they grew up because of rising costs,” said Harris County Precinct One Commissioner Rodney Ellis. “As we face the economic impacts of COVID-19, which is placing additional strain on families, I am proud that we are coming together to bring new, quality housing units for Harris County families.”
“The GLO is pleased to provide funding for The Arbor at Wayforest,” said Heather Lagrone, Director of Disaster Recovery, Texas General Land Office. “Texas continues to rebuild from Hurricane Harvey and these funds will provide an additional 192 units of quality housing for families in Harris County.”
“Bank of America Community Development Banking was pleased to provide $23 million in construction financing combined with a $13 million tax credit investment to help build much-needed housing for families in Houston,” said Hong Ogle, Houston Market President, Bank of America. “The financing also included Hurricane Harvey Disaster Recovery Funds, demonstrating the impact that public-private collaborations like The Arbor at Wayforest can make. Bank of America remains steadfast in its commitment to support the communities where we work and live.”
“On behalf of Citi Community Capital, we would like to express our deepest appreciation to be a part of such a wonderful new development that will benefit the local community for many years to come. It was truly a collaborative effort of all stakeholders to make The Arbor at Wayforest a reality and we look forward to seeing everyone at the Grand Opening,” said Mahesh Aiyer, Director of Citi Community Capital.
All comment and interview requests should be submitted before the virtual groundbreaking by Tuesday, December 15.
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About the Harris County Housing Authority
For over 40 years, Harris County Housing Authority, a premier housing provider, has provided quality, livable, and sustainable communities to Harris County residents, including families with school-aged children, seniors, veterans, and persons with disabilities. HCHA has developed ten housing communities and has four more housing developments under construction. Harris County Housing Authority also administers more than 4,500 Housing Choice Vouchers providing rental assistance to eligible families. Learn more at www.hchatexas.org.
Texas General Land Office
Following Hurricane Harvey, Commissioner George P. Bush and the Texas General Land Office (GLO) were appointed by Governor Greg Abbott to lead the historic housing recovery efforts. In addition to short-term housing in partnership with Federal Emergency Management Agency, the GLO also administers Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on behalf of the state of Texas. HUD allocated $5.676 billion in funds to rebuild and protect housing across 49 Hurricane Harvey-affected Texas counties. In total, more than $14 billion has been allocated for recovery following Hurricanes Rita, Dolly, and Ike, the 2011 wildfires, the 2015 and 2016 floods and Hurricane Harvey.
Bank of America
Bank of America is one of the world’s leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 66 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 4,300 retail financial centers, including approximately 2,900 lending centers, 2,500 financial centers with a Consumer Investment Financial Solutions Advisor and approximately 2,300 business centers; approximately 17,000 ATMs; and award-winning digital banking with approximately 39 million active users, including approximately 31 million mobile users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 3 million small business owners through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and approximately 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
For more Bank of America news, including dividend announcements and other important information, visit the Bank of America newsroom and register for email news alerts.
Atlantic Pacific Communities (A|P Communities)
Atlantic Pacific Communities is a national housing development company with a staff of professionals dedicated to excellence in multifamily housing. A|P Communities is an affiliate of Atlantic Pacific Companies (A|P), a fourth-generation family-owned and operated real estate company that builds and operates high-quality housing to serve every income level. A|P employs more than 1,500 people throughout Florida, Georgia, Texas, California, and the Mid-Atlantic and has over 40,000 multifamily units under management. For additional information, please visit www.apcompanies.com.
Harris County Housing Authority
Melanie Fahey | melanie.fahey@hchatexas.org | 713.669.4510
Atlantic Pacific Communities
Jessica Wade Pfeffer | [email protected] | 305.804.8424
Marianna La Riva | [email protected] | 954.471.0759
City Council recently approved a $624,960 program to provide internet vouchers to low-income Houstonians. Mayor Sylvester Turner’s Health Equity Response (H.E.R.) Task Force has partnered with Comcast to provide approximately 5,000 vouchers to qualifying applicants from now until December 20, 2020. This agreement will ensure qualifying applicants can continue to stay connected to the internet for education, work, and personal health reasons for one calendar year.
“This pandemic has highlighted the importance of quality internet service particularly for those vulnerable populations who must stay at home to stay safe,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “This program will provide a lifeline for citizens that have struggled through the pandemic without internet access and a way to stay informed, connected and safe during these challenging times.”
To qualify for the Internet Voucher Program, applicants must reside in the City of Houston and have a Comcast serviceable address. Applicants must also meet two additional sets of criteria. First, they must demonstrate that their total household income prior to February 2020 was lower than 80 percent of the Area Median Income. Second, they must be a member of one of the following groups: persons over age 65, persons with disabilities, households with children less than five years of age, or opportunity youth, defined as persons ages 16-24 who are not currently enrolled in school or participating in the workforce.
“During this unprecedented time, it is vital for Houstonians to stay connected to the Internet – for education, work, and personal health reasons,” said Comcast’s Melinda Little, Director of Government Affairs, Houston Region. “We’re proud to partner with the City of Houston and Mayor Sylvester Turner’s Health Equity Response Task Force to help keep Houstonians connected through our Internet Essentials Program.”
This program is a complement to the City’s Computer Access Program. Digital connectivity has become critical during the pandemic, but devices alone are less effective if people cannot use them to access the internet. While there are similar internet access programs for families with school-age children, the H.E.R. Task Force realized there were critical groups that were being overlooked.
“The shift online in everything from grocery shopping to accessing healthcare has been an additional barrier that Houstonians with disabilities have been forced to confront as a result of COVID-19,” said Gabe Cazares, Director of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities. “Thanks to Mayor Turner’s commitment to equity and accessibility and the City Council’s support, this program will breakdown that barrier by providing in-home internet access for qualifying Houstonians with disabilities, enhancing their independence and self-determination.”
The vouchers will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis. Vouchers must be redeemed by December 20, 2020. Because these groups may not have access to digital ads or articles, the H.E.R. Task Force is encouraging Houstonians to refer the program to loved ones or friends who might need assistance.
For more information or to apply, visit https://houston.comcast.com/2020/11/30/cohiepp/ or call one of the following contacts:
For persons over age 65, call the Harris County Area Agency on Aging at 832-393-4301.
For persons with disabilities, call the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities at 832-394-0814.
For households with children under 5 years old, call the Collaborative for Children at 713-600-1100.
For opportunity youth (ages 16-24), call Project Grad at 888-713-GRAD (4723).
The relief fund is part of the $400 million in CARES Act funding provided to the City of Houston.
The Harris County COVID-19 Relief Fund will open its public application to all eligible Harris County residents MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2ND AND WILL ACCEPT APPLICATIONS THROUGH FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6TH.
Applicants may apply online at CATHOLICCHARITIESHELP.ORG
during the public application period (November 2-6).
Since the application process requires applicants to upload documents, all applications must be submitted online, but applicants who want help or who have questions may call the hotline at 832-990-1318, Monday-Saturday, 9am-8pm.
Applicants are encouraged to check their spam folder and to promptly respond to calls/texts about assistance from Harris County, to ensure they do not miss out on the opportunity for aid. PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES INFORMATION IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH. THIS ALSO INCLUDES IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON DOCUMENTS THAT RESIDENTS WILL NEED TO APPLY.
Harris County Public Health (HCPH):
www.hcphtx.org\COVID-19
www.ReadyHarris.org
Harris Health System:
www.harrishealth.org
Houston Food Bank:
www.houstonfoodbank.org/
Houston Health Department:
www.HoustonHealth.org
www.HoustonEmergency.org
Fort Bend County Health & Human Services:
www.fbchealth.org/ncov
CDC Guidelines:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
How to protect yourself:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Prevent Getting Sick:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/index.html
Symptoms And Testing:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html
What To Do If You Are Sick:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/index.html
Daily Life & Coping:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/index.html
Cleaning And Disinfecting Your Home:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/disinfecting-your-home.html
People Who Need Extra Precautions:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/index.html
Pets & Other Animals:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/animals/pets-other-animals.html
Travel:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html
Communities, Schools & Workplaces:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/index.html
Healthcare Professionals:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/hcp/index.html
Testing Site Locations:
The Houston Health Department and its agency partners are announcing new sites offering free COVID-19 tests during first week of June.
Texas Division of Emergency Management
The Texas Division of Emergency Management and the department will open five drive-thru test sites:
TDEM sites require appointments, available by calling 512-883-2400 or visiting txcovidtest.org. The sites will open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
United Memorial Medical Center
United Memorial Medical Center (UMMC) will open a new drive-thru and walk-up test site at the Southwest Multi-Service Center, 6400 High Star. UMMC will continue to offer drive-thru testing at its site at Houston Community College-Southeast, 6815 Rustic.
Each site will open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. or until reaching its daily capacity of 250 tests. The sites don’t require appointments.
Other UMMC sites opening weekdays are:
People needing information about UMMC test sites can call 1-866-333-COVID or visit ummcscreening.com.
Houston Health Department Mobile Unit & Community-Based Sites
The department will set up its mobile unit at the Magnolia Multi-Service Center, 7037 Capitol, June 2 – 6.
Mobile unit testing is set for weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., or until reaching daily capacity of 100 tests. People don’t need an appointment to get a free COVID-19 test through the mobile unit, which offers drive-thru or walk-up options.
The department also operates two free drive-thru COVID-19 community-based testing sites open to anyone, regardless of symptoms. Each site has capacity for 500 tests per day.
New days of operation for the sites are Monday through Saturday. The sites will close on Sundays beginning May 31.
People can call the department’s COVID-19 Call Center at 832-393-4220 between 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. to receive an access code and directions to the nearest community-based site or get more information about the department’s mobile unit.
Federally Qualified Health Centers
The health department is providing test kits, lab access and equipment to four local Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) so they can expand their COVID-19 testing capacity. The centers and phone numbers people can call to set up testing appointments are:
FQHC patients pay what they can afford, based on income and family size, and are not denied services due to inability to pay or lack of insurance.
The department and its agency partners may shift locations and schedules of test sites to better meet community needs. Houstonians can visit HoustonEmergency.org/covid19 for current Houston test sites and information about stopping the spread of the virus.
Information obtained through testing, treatment or services will not be used against immigrants in their public charge evaluation.
