Houston HOPE: Bringing Home Ownership to More Houstonians

Mayor Bill White and community leaders in Acres Homes joined together Tuesday, August 7th, to welcome home a few new neighbors. The final touches have been added to the first few Houston Hope homes along Apollo Street and new homeowners are ready for their big move.

"Here we are in what we call a Houston Hope neighborhood, a neglected neighborhood, where we're investing in a lot of services for the neighborhood and it starts with giving the opportunity for home ownership," Mayor White said. "The only thing that we ask of people moving into the neighborhood is to be a good neighbor and help be eyes and ears looking out for your neighbor."

The collaborative Houston Hope initiative provides affordable housing for families so they can build equity in their homes and communities. The program aims to improve blighted neighborhoods by foreclosing on abandoned, tax-delinquent lots and then facilitating the building of affordable, energy efficient homes. The lots are made available to builders through the Land Assemblage Redevelopment Authority (LARA).The Mayor's Houston Hope initiative has worked closely with community leaders to respect property rights in the effort to revitalize neglected tracts.

The Houston Hope initiative is also working in the Sunnyside, Third Ward, Fifth Ward, Settegast, Magnolia and Trinity Gardens neighborhoods.

The City's Housing Assistance Program provides eligible home buyers with up to $30,000 in down payment assistance. Interested home buyers must complete home buyer education through a certified counseling agency. To find an agency, call 713-522-HOME or go to www.houstonhousing.org.

Visit the Project Houston Hope Web site.