Fort Worth Housing Solutions (FWHS) has broken ground on Babers Manor, the latest mixed-income development in the Stop Six Choice Neighborhoods Initiative (CNI).
Named for community leader Clarence Donald Babers, the 80-unit community will include a combination of townhome and garden apartments. Babers Manor joins Stop Six CNI developments Cowan Place Senior Living, which opened in 2023, and Hughes House, which is under construction.
“Babers Manor is the next step in the transformation that is happening before our eyes in Stop Six,” said Mary-Margaret Lemons, president of FWHS. “The groundbreaking is a celebration of true community and partner collaboration. We were honored to name this property after Mr. Babers and celebrate his lasting legacy in Fort Worth and beyond. We also look forward to the day when families make Babers Manor their home.”
Babers Manor is part of the landmark Stop Six Choice Neighborhoods effort that launched in 2020 when the Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded FWHS and the city of Fort Worth a $35 million Choice Neighborhoods Implementation grant. Former Cavile Place residents who relocated as part of the redevelopment process have the right to return to the community as new Stop Six CNI properties come online.
The HUD grant will be spread across six phases of development and is expected to leverage $345 million in investment for the neighborhood. In all, FWHS and partners will develop approximately 925 new units across the community. The city plans additional infrastructure improvements, including a new community hub and an aquatics center.
The development of Babers Manor is possible with the support of numerous partnerships, including Hunt Capital Partners, Aetna, CVS Health, the city of Fort Worth, Urban Strategies, McCormack Baron Salazar, GMA Construction, RPGA Design Group, and Mason Joseph Co.
“Hunt Capital Partners is proud to be a part of the Stop Six CNI and join in its vision to create a vibrant, cohesive, and safe neighborhood for Fort Worth families,” said Amy Dickerson, chief operating officer at Hunt Capital Partners. “Providing quality, affordable housing is a vital component of building thriving communities, and we are grateful for the opportunity to work alongside mission-driven partners to transform the area.”Babers Manor was financed with low-income housing tax credits (LIHTCs) and 45L credits syndicated by Hunt Capital Partners through its proprietary investor fund with Aetna, a CVS Health company.
CVS Health’s support of Babers Manor includes a $17 million equity investment toward the construction of the property through Hunt Capital Partners.
The 51 LIHTC units are reserved for households earning up to 30%, 50%, 60%, and 80% of the area median income. Forty-three of the LIHTC units will benefit from project-based rental assistance, which includes four permanent supportive housing units that will target formerly homeless individuals.
“Babers Manor honors Clarence Donald Babers’ legacy of service,” said Richard Baron, chairman, McCormack Baron Salazar. “We're proud to contribute to this project, which marks a vital step in revitalizing Stop Six and creating inclusive communities.”
