HOUSTON – (Realty News Report) – Houston Habitat for Humanity, with the Hines firm as strategic advisor, has broken ground in northeast Houston on Robins Landing, a 127-acre master-planned community serving low to moderate income Houstonians.
Located near Tidwell Road and Mesa Drive in northeast Houston, the community will provide critically needed affordable homes, essential services, retail opportunities, and access to greenspace.
Robins Landing, developed with partners including the City of Houston, will have home building underway this fall following completion of infrastructure, streets and utilities.
“Along with our partners, we are creating a more inclusive, equitable, and open path toward homeownership. Everyone deserves a decent and affordable place to call home with access to everyday resources that make a thriving community,” said Allison Hay, executive director of Houston Habitat for Humanity.
Habitat Starts Houston Neighborhood with 450 Homes, 12-Acre Park & Library
Designed for mixed-income and mixed-generations, Robins Landing is set to include more than 450 single-family homes. One hundred homes will be built by Houston Habitat for those earning 80 percent or below the City of Houston’s average median income (AMI) and be sold through the Habitat for Humanity Homeownership program. Three hundred homes will be designed, priced, and sold by partner builders CastleRock Communities and Chesmar Homes for those whose income is 120 percent AMI or below.
“A Vibrant and Sustainable Neighborhood” — John Mooz of Hines
“Robins Landing is a significant step in transforming Houston Habitat from a homebuilder to a community builder. The offerings and amenities will help build a vibrant sustainable neighborhood and Hines is thrilled to be involved,” said John Mooz, senior managing director at Hines. “When there’s scale, Hines can bring a level of experience to a master-planned district on adjacencies, complementary uses and resources that make for a unique and special community. We look forward to sharing our knowledge and placemaking experience, not just for Robins Landing, but hopefully in other urban locations as well.”
Houston Habitat is collaborating with community partners to deliver more than just housing to Robins Landing residents and those living nearby. Plans include a 12-acre central park with access to hike-and-bike trails, a community garden, a neighborhood resilience hub, and more. A Town Center will include essential services, including a Legacy Community Health Clinic and Houston Public Library branch.
“Address underlying causes of inequity” – Mayor Sylvester Turner
“Affordable housing is about more than simply providing a roof over someone’s head,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “We must work in a collaborative and holistic fashion to improve access to transportation, high-quality grocery stores, and opportunity to address the underlying causes of inequity. Robins Landing is positioned to do just that.”
Using an innovative funding model, Houston Habitat has secured $33 million in funds for site infrastructure, which includes a $4.79 million investment from the City of Houston and $1.5 million from Habitat from Humanity International. Construction loans were secured from Arnold Ventures at no interest, and Houston Housing Finance Corporation at low interest. The remainder comes from traditional development funding including lot and land sales for single-family homes, multi-family units, senior units, and nonresidential businesses. Houston Habitat is seeking an additional $10 million from philanthropy to ensure long term affordability, sustainability, and resiliency.
Houston Habitat has built more than 1,150 homes in 11 Houston neighborhoods, including the Fifth Ward and Northeast and Southeast quadrants. In addition to building, the organization has also repaired homes throughout Houston due to natural disasters; since Hurricane Harvey Houston Habitat has repaired more than 800 homes for families who are without resources to make repairs.
March 2, 2022 Realty News Report Copyright 2022
File: Habitat Starts Houston Neighborhood
Photo Credit: Jeff Fitlow