Mayor's Office Press Release
Mayor Turner Requests Housing Authority Consider Alternatives to proposed Fountainview Project
August 1, 2016 -- Mayor Sylvester Turner does not plan to present the Houston Housing Authority’s (HHA) proposed project for 2640 Fountainview to City Council for consideration. HHA had requested Council consideration of a Resolution of No Objection, which is required to obtain federal funding provided through the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program.
“After careful review of the costs and other concerns, I am asking HHA to look for an alternative location for this project that is still in City Council District G in what we refer to as a high opportunity area with access to good public services, quality schools, and thriving businesses ,” said Mayor Turner. “I also want the Authority to begin a conversation with private apartment owners about making more units available to our public housing clients so that those who rely on the federal government’s voucher program are not limited to living in certain geographical areas. I look forward to working with HHA to accomplish the important mission of providing for fair housing and quality affordable homes in safe neighborhoods near great schools throughout all of Houston.”
HHA had proposed to build a 233-unit apartment complex on property it owns near its administrative headquarters on Fountainview. 23 of the apartments were to be set aside for extremely low-income tenants and the remaining 210 units would have been reserved for a mix of workforce and market rate housing. The price per unit was approximately $240,000, which included a $6 million developer’s fee to HHA.
HHA provides affordable homes and services to more than 58,000 low-income Houstonians. The organization also administers one of the nation’s largest housing programs for formerly homeless veterans. HHA board members are nominated by the mayor and approved by City Council.