On February 19th, 2020, City Council, including District C’s Abbie Kamin, voted to “support” 20 affordable housing projects. 57 projects applied for the city’s support for the tax credits.

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In 2017, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) cited Houston for housing policies that maintained segregation and violated the Civil Rights Act.

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The proposed projects are spread throughout the city, including three in the Heights:

• The Ella - 180-unit family housing building at 1718 W 26th St & Ella

• Dian Street Villas - 4 story 100-unit facility at 1433 Dian & W 15th

• Heritage Senior Residences - senior housing at 5324 Nett St & Center

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The city scores these projects on several criteria, including:

• 17 points - Local Government Support

• 4 points - Community Participation

• 8 points - Support from State Representative (currently Anna Eastman, District 148)

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No discussions were held with our community. No plans were made publicly available. This project was scored high but has no letters of support from Heights area civic associations.

 

Last year, Jessica Farrar’s (former representative for District 148) lack of support for a similar project in the Heights, Columbia @ 4th, nixed it:

 

“Houston City Council last month approved a resolution to support Brinshore’s tax credit application, among others, but Farrar’s lack of support meant the project would likely be declined by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs”. “They came to me pretty late in the game,” Farrar said. “By then I had already heard from constituents that they did not support the project.”

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On February 27th, 2020, State Rep Eastman provided a letter of support for the 1433 Dian project with zero input from her constituents.

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In July, 2020, the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) will determine which projects will be approved to receive the federal low income housing tax credits. 

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While public hearings have been cancelled due to COVID-19, the state has indicated it will keep the July, 2020 deadline. Only 10 of the 20 projects approved by Houston's City Council are expected to get credits and proceed to construction.