The Future Of Affordable Housing Project In The Heights Unclear After Backlash From Community Members

After outrage and a lack of support from neighborhood residents and state officials, a mixed-income apartment complex in the Heights may be nixed. The project is planned for a 1-acre site between Studemont and Heights boulevards. 

Brinshore Development, which sought $15M in tax credits to fund the proposed development, did not submit an application on March 1 to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, which oversees the low-income housing tax program, according to the Houston Chronicle.

The company cited the lack of support for the project and the chances of the tax credit approval as reasons for the project's uncertainty, the Chronicle reports. State Rep. Jessica Farrar said she didn't support Brinshore's project because the residents complained about it before the company reached out to support the tax-credit application. 

Opponents expressed concern about increased traffic, emergency vehicle access and how the new building would tax the city's plumbing and sewer systems. They also said the project is out of scale with the community. 

In response, Brinshore reduced the size of the building, decreased the number of units and made other concessions. But, ultimately, it appears the groups cannot decide on a compromise. 

Affordable housing has been a major concern for Houston officials, and nationally, for some time. In February, the city of Houston passed a resolution in support of 40 potential affordable housing projects throughout the area. The projects range from family and senior housing with the majority in District D, District H and District K. If approved by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, the projects will receive $1.5M a year in tax credits for 10 years. 

Affordable housing and multifamily development will be major topics at Bisnow's Multifamily Madness event in Houston on March 19. Buy tickets today here.