Cesar Chavez Foundation and Partners Break Ground on Affordable Housing Project to Support Houston's Underserved Communities
The Cesar Chavez Foundation, along with Harris County Housing and Community Development (HCD), the Harris County Redevelopment Authority, and the Harris County Housing Finance Corporation, recently broke ground on a much-anticipated affordable housing project, aiming to fill a critical need in the local community. The announcement was made by the Cesar Chavez Foundation, a vertically integrated nonprofit developer committed to developing, constructing, and operating affordable properties in perpetuity.
The housing project, which will provide 120 units for low-income families backed by $7.4 million in ARPA funding, is named after beloved local civil rights champions, Frumencio Reyes Jr. and Felix Z. Fraga. The construction is slated for completion by December 2026, and will be located within Harris County Precinct 4.
“These projects are a critical addition to Houston, and we are honored to provide affordable housing for families and seniors in need," said Manuel Bernal, President of the Cesar Chavez Foundation. "Frumencio and Felix embodied Cesar Chavez’s values of social justice and community empowerment."
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According to The Urban Edge, " “There are just over 33,000 affordable and available places to rent for the more than 217,000 extremely low-income renters in the area. About 83% of extremely low-income households are severely cost-burdened. The Kinder Institute for Urban Research’s 2023 State of Housing in Harris County and Houston report found that from 2015 to 2021, monthly rent prices outpaced median household income increases.”
The Cesar Chavez Foundation is an organization committed to uplifting the lives of Latinos and working families by transforming communities through social enterprises. The Foundation manages historical properties nationwide and promotes Cesar Chavez’s legacy through the National Chavez Center.
HCD plays a pivotal role in securing affordable housing for the underprivileged residents of Harris County. The organization recently invested about $360 million in the American Rescue Plan Act and Community Development Block Grants for safe, affordable housing projects in the county.
(Source: HCP4)"Harris County Housing and Community Development is proud to partner alongside the Cesar Chavez Foundation, Harris County Redevelopment Authority, and the Harris County Housing Finance Corporation to provide vital affordable housing to low-to-moderate-income households," says Thao Costis, Executive Director of HCD.
The Harris County Redevelopment Authority is an entity advocating for economic development, community investment, and revitalization programs on behalf of the county, while the Harris County Housing Finance Corporation creates affordable housing opportunities for Harris County citizens.
The upcoming housing project, The Upland, will be a four-story building offering a range of unit types, conveniently located near essential community services and infrastructures. It is part of concerted efforts to ensure no underserved residents are left behind in the pursuit of affordable and stable housing.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
