NOTICE TO HARVEY SINGLE FAMILY DEVELOPMENT APPLICANTS

Due to unexpected and unfavorable housing market conditions, the City of Houston has made the difficult decision to discontinue the Harvey Single Family Development Program.


The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently investigating potential adverse health impacts associated with the former Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) wood preservation site located in the Houston Fifth Ward/Kashmere Gardens area. Therefore, all Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) homebuyer assistance and home repair programs will temporarily suspend assistance for properties located either within, or within a 0.5 mile radius of, the Fifth Ward / Kashmere Gardens UPRR site boundary. This suspension will remain in place for the duration of the EPA’s investigation.

NOTE: Program funding is subject to strict spending deadlines, and we are unable to reserve funds for properties that have not yet completed the environmental review process. Therefore, homeowners and homebuyers will be required to submit a new application in the event of a status change.

Complaints, Appeals, and Fraud

Harvey Single Family Development Program

43

Percentage of Houstonian owner-occupied homes

54

Percentage of owner-occupied households affected by Harvey

Hurricane Harvey impacted 27% of all Houston households. Of the total households impacted by Hurricane Harvey, 54% were owner-occupied households. Nearly 32% of those owner-occupied households were impacted by floodwaters. More than 23% of homeowners spend more than 30% of their monthly income on housing.

Houston was short on affordable single-family homes before Hurricane Harvey. Now, our need is even more urgent. The Harvey Single Family Development Program will provide affordable, newly constructed, energy efficient, single-family homes, outside of the flood-prone areas of Houston for Houstonians earning less than 80% Area Median Income impacted by Hurricane Harvey. Read more about Area Median Income here (Español )

Single-Family Development

Homebuyers choose their homes, so long as the property is located within the City of Houston and meets safety and quality standards. The City can assist with down payments, closing costs, or principle buydown, depending on the buyer’s needs.

The City then provides a no-interest, forgivable loan, secured by a lien. The loan is fulfilled if the buyer lives in the home for 5 years. If the buyer sells or moves out of the home before that time, they reimburse the City for only a prorated portion of the original loan amount.

Guidelines & Additional Resources

Questions about the program?

  • Contact the Call Center for inquiries or to check on your application status: 832-393-0550
  • Contact our Complaint/Appeal team for concerns, complaints, or appeals 832-394-6388