A housing development in Houston's Near Northside has made a remarkable commitment to developing affordable units to populations at-risk of being pushed out by gentrification.
Ryan Holleywell writes about the fascinating example set by the Avenue Place affordable housing development in Houston.
"I came across the houses while searching online for a new home in Houston earlier this year. What immediately struck me was their price. The houses I saw online, less than 3 miles from downtown, were priced around $200,000 to $220,000," writes Holleywell.
The "decidedly modern" yet still "homey" houses far exceed preconceptions of what affordable housing can be. Yet, this housing is resolutely accessible to buyers who could not afford market rate. "Buyers earning less than 80 percent of the median income can get subsidies of up to $86,000. Those earning less than 120 percent of median income can get a $26,000 subsidy."
Those subsidies are guaranteed by the terms of a deal that made the development eligible for a city grant, according to an editorial in the Houston Chronicle at the time of the development's opening. Holleywell provides additional information on how the development was funded and constructed.
FULL STORY: The Most Interesting Affordable Housing in Houston
Preserving Houston’s ‘Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing’
Unsubsidized, low-cost rental housing is a significant source of affordable housing for Houston households, but the supply is declining as units fall into disrepair or are redeveloped into more expensive units.
A Look Inside the Houston Land Bank
The nonprofit has built over 300 homes in the last five years.
Houston To Return Millions in Affordable Housing Funds
The city failed to meet a deadline for building housing on lots purchased with federal funds distributed after Hurricane Harvey.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?
Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.
Paris Bike Boom Leads to Steep Drop in Air Pollution
The French city’s air quality has improved dramatically in the past 20 years, coinciding with a growth in cycling.
Why Housing Costs More to Build in California Than in Texas
Hard costs like labor and materials combined with ‘soft’ costs such as permitting make building in the San Francisco Bay Area almost three times as costly as in Texas cities.
San Diego County Sees a Rise in Urban Coyotes
San Diego County experiences a rise in urban coyotes, as sightings become prevalent throughout its urban neighbourhoods and surrounding areas.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
City of Santa Clarita
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service