Houston City Council’s recent discussion of affordable housing tax credits left a slew of unanswered questions on the table.
The council unanimously approved 17 affordable housing proposals on Feb. 21, a week after voting was postponed due to quarrels regarding transparency. When at-large councilman Julian Ramirez asked for a list of principals behind the proposed developments, city administrators told him to look them up himself.
The developers sought the city’s endorsement to proceed with applications for the competitive Low Income Housing Tax Credit, known as 9 percent, a program that is managed by the state but needs local support.
Sixteen of the projects are in Houston proper, and one is in Kingwood.
The proposals include 1,560 new affordable housing units and 209 existing units that need renovations, according to documents obtained from the Houston Housing and Community Development Department. This interactive map includes the developers’ business names, the projects’ number of units, their city council districts and the population they’re geared to serving.
Here is a rundown of the projects.
Columbus-based senior living nonprofit National Church Residences, led by president and CEO Susan DiMickele, is seeking rehabilitation for its 65-unit senior living facility Oleander Commons, at 12805 Bissonnet Street.
Four miles east sits Arrowood Apartments, at 8304 Course Drive, whose developer, Atlantic Housing Foundation, is seeking low-income housing credits to rehab its 144-unit property. The Dallas-based nonprofit, led by president and CEO Michael Nguyen, specializes in multifamily acquisition and development. It owns 46 properties across the Texas Triangle, including two in Greater Houston. Last year, it obtained $77 million in financing from Fundamental Capital Advisors to renovate multifamily properties, including Tall Timbers, at 13155 Woodforest Boulevard.
New construction proposals include developers Kilday Operating, a small multifamily developer led by father-son duo Royce Kilday and Les Kilday. They are listed as the developers behind the Greens at Retton, planned for Retton Drive and Northwest Freeway.
Houston-based Itex Development, led by president and CEO Chris Akbari, is proposing The Retreat at Esther, near Wheatley and Esther Drive. The firm operates more than $800 million of multifamily properties, primarily in the Houston and Beaumont metros.
The Houston Area Community Development Corporation, which has the same address as New Hope Housing, is proposing the New Hope Housing Wheatley project, at 1131 and 1117 Bland Street. This is the only one on the list to serve as permanent supportive housing for the chronically unhoused. New Hope Housing is led by president and CEO Joy Horak-Brown.
Northpark Garden Villas and the Lofts at South Loop were proposed by Texas Inter-Faith Housing Corporation, which operates 22 housing communities across the state. The houston-based nonprofit is led by executive director Russ Michaels.
Oregon-based developer Stewardship Development proposed Bissonnet Village at 12865 Bissonnet Street and Veterans Memorial Village at 11415 Veterans Memorial Drive. The firm is led by founder Bill Syrios.
Nunn Village Apartments, 6901 Bellfort Avenue, and the New Faith Senior Village, 4315 West Fuqua Street, are proposed by DWR Development Group. In 2021, DWR developed the affordable housing complex Edison Lofts, at 7215 West Fuqua Street, through the city’s Harvey Multifamily Program. The firm has the same address as Gulf Equities Realty, whose principals are George Gilman and Leo Womack, according to its website.
The Third Ward-based education nonprofit William A. Lawson Institute for Peace & Prosperity proposed an expansion of the four-story Walipp Senior Residence, at 5220 Scott Street. It’s adding 100 units at 5134 and 5141 Grantwood Street. Known as WALIPP, its executive director is Cheryl Lawson.
Missouri-based senior-housing specialist Trinity Housing Development, led by CEO Adam Horton, proposed Dashwood Trails at the intersection of Dashwood Drive and Jetty Lane.
Palladium USA International, led by president and CEO Thomas Huth, is behind a proposal at 10112 Bissonnet Street, off Bissonnet Drive and West Sam Houston Parkway.
Amtex Multi-Housing, led by founder and CEO Percy Vaz, proposed Forum Park Family Villas, at 10403 Forum Park Drive, which could become the California-based developer’s fourth affordable housing community in Houston.
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Family-owned real estate firm Mark-Dana Corporation proposed West Fork Place, south of Kingwood Medical Drive. Based in Spring, the firm develops and manages multifamily properties across Texas and Virginia, with 15 apartments and senior-living facilities in Greater Houston, according to its website. Mark-Dana Corporation is led by president and CEO David Koogler, the son of founder Dave Koogler.
Brinshore Development, led by principals Richard Sciortino and David Brint, proposed Parkside at Buffalo Bayou, at 733 North Drennan Street. In conjunction with the Buffalo Bayou Partnership, Brinshore is behind affordable housing development Lockwood on Buffalo, between Lockwood Drive and Tony Marron Park, as part of Buffalo Bayou’s East End master plan.