City officials celebrate the grand opening of a new resource hub for low-to-moderate-income Houstonians
May 20, 2022 -- Houston, Texas -- Mayor Sylvester Turner and partners on Thursday, May 19 celebrated the grand opening of Avenue Community Development Corporation’s (CDC) new facility at 3517 Irvington Blvd., Houston.
The Avenue Center is Avenue CDC’s 31,000 square foot community hub located within the Enhanced Enterprise Community boundaries of the Near Northside, a historic neighborhood, and Complete Community. Avenue Center develops homes for purchase and rent as well as provides homebuyer education and counseling to help working families buy and maintain their own homes. It promotes economic development and offers support services such as computer labs, after-school programs, nutrition, fitness, and financial literacy classes as well. The new location also includes a Legacy clinic and the YMCA Children’s Academy.
“I congratulate the hardworking people of Avenue CDC on this new location and the ambition and tenacity that it represents,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “For decades, Avenue has used a grassroots approach to strengthen community and affect change by bringing resources to the people. The tireless work of Mary Lawler, the Avenue board of directors, and the staff is commendable, and sets a strong example of servant leadership in our Near Northside community.”
The City of Houston contributed a total of $3.4 million dollars to the $11.8 million cost of the acquisition and rehabilitation of the Avenue Center. The City’s contribution included funding from Economic Development Initiative, Section 108, and Community Development Block Grant funds.
“Our department works closely with service providers and developers across the city to improve the quality of life for Houstonians,” said Director Keith Bynam, City of Houston Housing and Community Development (HCD). “By collaborating with organizations like Avenue CDC, that incorporate a primary care clinic, early childhood development program, and homebuyer education classes, among others, we connect Houstonians to resources and programs that will help them thrive.”
Avenue CDC’s mission is to build affordable homes and strengthen the community. Avenue CDC serves over 7,000 Houstonians annually through three primary lines of business Affordable Homes, Family Asset Building, and Community Initiatives.
Avenue CDC was founded in 1991 by a group of neighbors who wanted to develop affordable housing, preserve historic buildings, and revitalize the Old Sixth Ward, a National Register Historic District. The organization has a long-standing history with the city which includes three housing developments and dozens of single-family homes partially financed by HCD.
The City of Houston Housing and Community Development (HCD) department makes long-term investments to improve the lives of Houston residents by creating opportunities for every Houstonian to have a home they can afford in a community where they can thrive. Our department will invest approximately $450 million in federal, state, and local funds this fiscal year to construct and maintain affordable homes, reduce barriers to homeownership, support the work of social service providers, build public amenities, and facilitate disaster recovery efforts. Learn more about programs and resources for Houstonians at http://houstontx.gov/housing
