A housing development in Houston's Near Northside has made a remarkable commitment to developing affordable units to populations at-risk of being pushed out by gentrification.
Ryan Holleywell writes about the fascinating example set by the Avenue Place affordable housing development in Houston.
"I came across the houses while searching online for a new home in Houston earlier this year. What immediately struck me was their price. The houses I saw online, less than 3 miles from downtown, were priced around $200,000 to $220,000," writes Holleywell.
The "decidedly modern" yet still "homey" houses far exceed preconceptions of what affordable housing can be. Yet, this housing is resolutely accessible to buyers who could not afford market rate. "Buyers earning less than 80 percent of the median income can get subsidies of up to $86,000. Those earning less than 120 percent of median income can get a $26,000 subsidy."
Those subsidies are guaranteed by the terms of a deal that made the development eligible for a city grant, according to an editorial in the Houston Chronicle at the time of the development's opening. Holleywell provides additional information on how the development was funded and constructed.
FULL STORY: The Most Interesting Affordable Housing in Houston
Housing Vouchers as a Key Piece of Houston’s Housing Strategy
The Houston Housing Authority supports 19,000 households through the housing voucher program.
Preserving Houston’s ‘Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing’
Unsubsidized, low-cost rental housing is a significant source of affordable housing for Houston households, but the supply is declining as units fall into disrepair or are redeveloped into more expensive units.
A Look Inside the Houston Land Bank
The nonprofit has built over 300 homes in the last five years.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie