VIDEO – BIG CHANGES COMING TO BRENHAM PUBLIC HOUSING
Big changes are in the works for Brenham’s public housing. The majority of the public housing units in Brenham were built in the 1970s and are in need of replacement. The Brenham Housing Authority is taking advantage of the HUD Rental Assistance Demonstration Program to allow a private investor partnership to fund the remodeling or replacement of the aging units. The Housing Authority is working with the HuntJon LLC group, who is already building the Belle Towers complex on North Market Street, to design, fund, and build the new public housing.
The project is planned in four phases, the first of which is the remodeling of all the units in the Northview Circle neighborhood. Beginning next year, residents of that neighborhood will be given the option of relocating to a different housing property or accepting a rent voucher to move into private housing to allow for the renovations. The next phase of construction is planned for a lot on Hosea Street adjacent to Henderson Park.
Management of the new units will stay with the Brenham Housing Authority and it will be have the controlling interest in ownership. Investors will retain a limited partnership in the ownership of the units. Michel emphasizes that no tax dollars will be used in the construction and that the new units will actually bring Federal tax dollars into Brenham in the form of rent subsidies.
How about making housing affordable for low income people instead of so high that only the parents of the college students can pay it? I lucked out and was able to purchase my house over 15 years ago. My payments for a two bedroom house on 3 acres is about $200 to $500 less than a two bedroom apartment in town. Does that make any sense? If the lady above is paying $800 to live in the projects, that is still way more than what I am paying for a house and 3 acres. That is just crazy!! Anyone starting out can not afford the housing or rental market here especially with the salaries that Brenham continues to pay. The housing/rental market here is for people who work in Austin and Houston and make the big bucks and want to live in a small town. Even the “new” neighborhoods that are supposed to be for low incomes are way out of the price range for low income families. As long as the housing market is so out of reach for people here, the public housing will always be needed.
Half the people in Brenham live in older houses. You build the welfare new housing and they will just trash them again, why cant the guberment fiqure this out.
Just like Washington! Hand out money and free stuff while America is in huge debt! Social security is broke! Borders r open for terrorists! The big problem is America has turned away from God! The destruction and wrath are coming to America soon! May God help us to wake up now!!!
Y tall talking it ain’t cheap living in the projects my rent 800 dollars I can’t even buy groceries my whole check go to rent
Great, another housing project. Brenham already has too many
Eric, I agree with you. This is not a good planning move for Brenham.
“Michel emphasizes that no tax dollars will be used in the construction and that the new units will actually bring Federal tax dollars into Brenham in the form of rent subsidies.” No tax dollars will be used, but they’ll bring in Federal Tax dollars. Where do you think these Federal Tax Dollars come from? Mine will come due this next April 15th.
I agree with More Welfare in Brenham. This is a slap in the face for those of us that are hardworking and still gets little or no breaks in taxes or reduced housing. Disappointed in our city government.
This is how the real world works. The more welfare the lazier the community gets. 30 years ago everyone would be ashamed to be on welfare, now its gimme that. The goal is to work harder for better jobs, not complain that you get no tax breaks!!!!!! which I bet you are getting.
Agree with more welfare. And the ironic part of this idiocy, is that the majority in our city government lean to “conservative” party, stressing LESS government dependency. But could it be that profits $$$$$ are in the woodpile? Upgrades I understand, but is there a reason to create more of this housing? Where are these people living now??
There are a total of 300 existing public housing units in Brenham, all of which are occupied by Brenham residents. After rehab and replacement of the demolished units, there will be a total of 286 units. Net decrease, no increase.
Thank-you City of Brenham Government for encouraging government dependency. The founders of this city and the hard working people who paid their on meal ticket would be, should be, or they are appalled that the influx of newcomers in our government is shifting our population to government dependency. It is obviously not founders of our great city who are proud of hard work and paying their own way that are doing this. I am ashamed of the city management and the elected officials.
The new units proposed to be built will replace old, dilapidated units and infrastructure systems that are failing. These dilapidated units are all currently occupied with Brenham residents, most of whom work everyday, but cannot find decent affordable housing. The steps that the Brenham Housing Authority is taking will help preserve affordable housing which is needed in Brenham. The alternative would be to watch the continuous decline of the existing housing units, resulting in boarded up buildings with Brenham residents being forced out onto the street. BHA and City Officials should be applauded for being proactive and looking for alternative private financing to fund the rehabilitation and reconstruction of existing public housing in Brenham.
Welfare at it’s finest…….. what a shame we are wasting our resources on this type of project. I have read the complaints about the cost of housing in Brenham and frankly, if you don’t like it move, have less housing projects and we will likely see our crime rate go down, our schools improve, and our quality of life go up. When people have to earn everything they have instead of having it subsidized or given to them by the government at the expense of other people, our society and our economy improves. I know some may think my comment racist or condescending which was not the intent of the comment, but if that’s your only response, it is wrong and a week excuse, but go for it you must.