New Hope Housing has broken ground on its ninth affordable single-room occupancy (SRO) housing community. It will be one of the first affordable housing developments to begin construction since Hurricane Harvey swept through Houston in August 2017.
New Hope Housing Dale Carnegie (NHH Dale Carnegie) will include 170 fully furnished studio apartments and offer supportive services to those struggling in today’s economic climate on low incomes. Located on a 2-acre tract in the Sharpstown area in southwest Houston, it will serve individuals living alone on very limited incomes and who desire a safe, stable place to call home.
“The 77036 area of Dale Carnegie experienced significant damage from Hurricane Harvey, with more than 40% of the housing units damaged,” said Joy Horak-Brown, president and CEO. “New Hope is delighted to have the opportunity to help those still struggling from Harvey to soon have a nice, affordable place to live. We pride ourselves on building communities and restoring lives.”
NHH Dale Carnegie is located in an amenity-rich neighborhood near transit and is immediately south of Harwin Drive at Regency Square, a commercial development community. The site is less than one mile from BakerRipley’s signature campus and federally qualified health clinic, as well as a full-service grocery store, a pharmacy, a public library, and higher education institutions.
Apartment units will be between 280 and 360 square feet, with rental rates starting at $550 as well as free utilities, cable TV access, and resident-service programming. Officials expect the development to be New Hope’s sixth LEED-certified and energy-efficient apartment complex, which helps the organization charge rental rates that are below market value.
On-site resident support services will include case management, access to primary and mental health care, legal assistance, health and nutritional counseling, financial education and life-skills training, and, in some instances, rental support. Residents will be able to enjoy a community theater room, a kitchen, a library, a business center, a training room, coin-operated washer/dryer facilities, and social-service offices. The front desk will be staffed 24/7, with a single point of entry and monitored security cameras.
NHH Dale Carnegie is scheduled to be completed in fall 2020.
Financing for the approximately $30.3 million development includes low-income housing tax credits allocated by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs and invested by Freddie Mac through the National Equity Fund. Other finance partners include the Housing and Community Development Department of the city of Houston, The Brown Foundation, John P. McGovern Foundation, EOG Resources, Hanover Co., and Vivian L. Smith Foundation.
GSMA is the architect, and Camden Builders is the general contractor for the development. The development team also includes BBVA Compass, AG|CM Inc., and Coats Rose.
Over its 25 years, New Hope Housing has helped nearly 8,800 men, women, and children live in high-quality, affordable housing and have access to support services. It is one of Texas’ leading providers of permanent, affordable supportive housing for those who are homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless.
