The City of Houston recently celebrated the grand opening of the OST Lofts, a 130-unit affordable rental housing development located in the historic OST/South Union area.
Funded in part by $19.3 million in disaster recovery funds, OST Lofts offers one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments designed with resilience in mind, including backup power generators. This community aims to provide safe, affordable housing options to strengthen families and neighborhoods in Houston.
Affordable Housing Expansion in Greater Third Ward
Houston’s Greater Third Ward is seeing rapid affordable housing growth through the Midtown Redevelopment Authority and the Center for Civic and Public Policy Improvement program. Nearly 80 new affordable homes are under construction or planned from a coalition of 12 builders.
These homes are targeted at buyers earning below 120% of the area median income, ensuring existing residents can afford to stay and build generational wealth. Notable builders include Houston Habitat for Humanity, Mayberry Homes, and Cole Klein Builders.
Zuri Gardens 3D-Printed Housing Project
Houston is pioneering affordable housing with the first large-scale 3D-printed home community near Hobby Airport called Zuri Gardens. The development will feature 80 energy-efficient homes priced in the mid to high $200,000s.
It is targeted at households earning up to 120% of the Houston median income, aiming to create sustainable, affordable homeownership using cutting-edge construction technology.
Sunflower Terrace Apartments Rehabilitation
Fairstead, in partnership with R4 Capital and Houston Housing Finance Corporation, has invested $20 million into rehabilitating the Sunflower Terrace Apartments in Houston’s Sunnyside neighborhood.
This project will renovate 160 affordable housing units reserved for low- and very low-income families and is expected to complete in August 2026. Renovations include interior unit upgrades and building infrastructure improvements to enhance living quality.
City of Houston Affordable Home Development Program
The City’s Affordable Home Development Program supports new single-family home developments for households earning up to 120% of the area median income. Current projects include:
80 new affordable homes in OST/South Union by Agape Homes CDC
59 new single-family homes in Northside by Cityside Homes
40 affordable homes in OST/Midtown by Mayberry Homes
468 single-family homes (400 affordable) in Northeast Houston by Houston Habitat for Humanity
75 homes (60 affordable) in South Acres/Highway 288 by Five Woods Realty
200 homes in Minnetex Houston including 160 affordable by Cole Klein Builders
These developments emphasize energy efficiency, neighborhood revitalization, and long-term affordability.
SOURCES
- (https://www.houstontx.gov/hcdrecovery/press/2025/0910.html)
- (https://houstonlanding.org/residents-in-limbo-as-environmental-complaints-stall-east-end-affordable-housing-project/)
- (https://midtownhouston.com/affordable-housing-construction-takes-off-in-houstons-greater-third-ward/)
