New Homes for OST / South Union
New homes are coming to OST / South Union!
The City of Houston is partnering with Agape CDC to develop homes near 6412 Calhoun Road in the OST / South Union neighborhood. Agape Homes CDC will oversee the new construction of 80 single-family homes, including 57 affordable homes and 23 market-rate homes. The development’s home designs have a mix of two-, three- and four-bedroom single-family detached homes restricted to homeowners at 70% to 100% AMI.
Through the Affordable Home Development Program, the City of Houston will contribute a forgivable loan of $2,190,000.00 from the Uptown TIRZ Series 2021 Affordable Homes Funds to finance the infrastructure for the mixed-income development.
Interested in buying an attainable home financed by the City of Houston? Complete your application today!
About Greater OST / South Union
Greater OST / South Union is a collection of neighborhoods in south-central Houston inside Loop 610 with a deep history of civic participation and leadership. Zollie Scales Park is named after a notable community activist responsible for getting many city services to the area. Mrs. Eljane Anderson, another community activist, was responsible for getting people in the area to vote. In addition, the neighborhood is home to Palm Center, one of the first malls to be built in Houston.
Today, the area is known for the Christmas decorations provided by LaSalette Place and Scott Terrace subdivisions during December. Please visit the Super Neighborhood 68 – Greater OST / South Union page to learn more.
About The Developer
Mission Statement: At Agape Homes we preserve affordability without concentrating poverty.
Agape Homes will build community-designed homes that will be safe, affordable, attractive, and energy-efficient. Agape aims to serve families below 80% AMI by offering homes at their cost. All the houses will be built in a manner to fit the current and historical architecture of the Greater OST / South Union neighborhood.
Agape Development provides services without discriminating on the basis of religion, gender, race, nationality, or orientation.
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About the Affordable Home Development Program
Key Facts
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The program aims to create new homeownership opportunities for residents.
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Developments located across Houston.
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Developments are mixed-income. At least 40 homes in each AHDP development will be attainable to households earning up to 120% of the Area Median Income or less. For a family of four, for example, this would mean earning $106,300 or less as of 2022.
FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
Note: The following FAQ pertains to the City’s administration of the Affordable Home Development Program. The City’s developer partners may have additional program guidelines.
Q: How do I buy a home? - Answer
A: Homebuyers will purchase market and attainable rate homes directly through the developers. The City will partner with the developer to co-market and perform income eligibility reviews for the attainable rate homes.
Q: What role does the City have in the homebuyer process? - Answer
The City will partner with the developer to comarket the community. This includes cohosting community meetings, and webinars.
Additionally, the City will perform income eligibility reviews for homebuyers purchasing an attainable rate home.
Q: Can I use down payment assistance programs to help buy a home? - Answer
A: Homebuyers purchasing affordable or market rate homes may use down payment assistance programs available to them through their private mortgage lender or other entities.
Q: What do you mean by “attainable rate” homes? - Answer
A: Generally, rent or mortgage payments should not exceed 30% of household gross income. The City’s financial investment through the Affordable Home Development Program will decrease the purchase price from the current market rate to the homebuyer’s secured fixed rate mortgage to make homes more attainable.
Q: How will I know when homes are available to purchase? - Answer
A: The developer will market when the homes are available to purchase. HCD will also inform the community through the HCD Homebuyers Hub page, and HCD social media.
Q: How will the homebuyer process work? - Answer
A: The first step for every homebuyer will be to secure a 30-year fixed rate mortgage from a lender. For homebuyers purchasing a market-rate home, they will then continue the traditional homebuyer process.
Homebuyers purchasing an attainable-rate home will also need to attend a HUD-certified eight (8) hour homebuyer education course and earn up to 120% of the Area Median Income as determined by HUD when purchasing the home. The City’s financial investment through the Affordable Home Development Program will decrease the purchase price from the current market rate to the homebuyer’s secured fixed rate mortgage to meet the attainable home price.
Q: Is there an affordability period or secondary lien on the homes?- Answer
A: The City will not impose a secondary lien on market-rate homes.
The City will impose a five-year secondary lien on attainable rate homes. The secondary lien will be forgiven at the end of the five-year period. Please note that individual developers may impose a longer secondary lien on attainable rate homes.
Q: Will there be any difference between market-rate homes and attainable homes? - Answer
A: No, all homes will have the same construction quality, finishes, and appliances.
