Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis and Commissioners Court on Tuesday approved over $25 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to help finance the development of five multifamily rental properties that will add several hundred units to the affordable housing supply throughout the county.
The County’s Community Services Department requested approval of the units under the American Rescue Plan Act Housing Stability Portfolio. The properties will stay affordable for at least 99 years.
“Harris County urgently needs safe, healthy and affordable homes,” Commissioner Ellis said. “Over half of renters in the county are housing-cost burdened, spending more than 30% of their income on housing because there are not more affordable options.”
One of the properties in Precinct One is New Hope Housing at 1887 Ennis St. in Houston, which will use up to $9 million in ARPA funds to provide 102 affordable units and is scheduled to open in 2025. The other is the Avenue on 34th at 2136 W. 34th St. in Houston, which adds 56 affordable units. Harris County will also invest in three other properties in Precinct 2, Precinct 3 and Precinct 4.
“Everyone deserves a safe, stable and affordable place to call home,” Commissioner Ellis said. “Today we're taking a major step toward making that a reality for working families across Harris County."