PARKLANE VILLAS CLOSE TO COMPLETION IN BRENHAM
The second phase of the Brenham Housing Authority’s public housing project is nearing completion.
The Parklane Villas Apartments, an 80-unit apartment complex at 800 Hosea Street near Henderson Park, held an open house and ribbon cutting Monday afternoon.
Parklane Villas is being built by a partnership between the Washington County Housing Corporation, real estate developer HuntJohn LLC of Houston, and investment firm Raymond James.
Brenham Housing Authority Executive Director Ben Menjares says the Amenities Center and first building of housing for Parklane Villas has been completed, with the next four buildings expected to be approved by the city within the next month. He also says people will begin moving into new units next month, with about 60 people moving from existing public housing units, and 20 from a waiting list.
Menjares says these new units will replace 80 old public housing units. Once all of the tenants are transferred, the old units will be demolished.
The Brenham Housing Authority is working through the HUD-sponsored Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) Program. The program allows private investors to fund the construction and remodeling efforts.
It also converts units from the public housing program into the Section 8 Project-Based Voucher platform. These vouchers are tied to a specific unit, and help the tenant with rent payments. Residents pay roughly 30 percent of their income towards rent.
Menjares says RAD maintains public stewardship of converted property, through rules regarding ownership and use. The Brenham Housing Authority will have controlling interest in ownership and management, while investors will keep limited ownership of the units.
The first phase of the project began in 2016, with the rehabbing of 66 public housing units at Northview Village. The phase was completed in 2017, with total development costs around $5.5 million. Menjares says, as the remodeling was being done, tenants were temporarily moved to other available housing units, and were moved back once it was complete.
This second phase began in late 2017, with construction beginning in January. Development costs are expected around $11 million. Menjares says that, while rain has delayed the project, construction is still ahead of schedule. He expects to have everything completed and fully operational by December 31st, at close to 100 percent occupancy.
I like the new city paid for culdesac at Hosea St. I can park there when I slug my next Homerun out of Henderson Ballpark as I lob the ball into a windshield at the new apartments. It is a straight shot.
WoW! It’s just a shame B. Ruth is thinking this negative already even if the statements are true but I guess it’ll keep the windshield repair guys/girls in business.
I might suggest putting up a large net of some type so no one gets hurt or the vehicles parked near or the windows in the apartments don’t get broken.
This is a income based program to help single families rebuild, and do better . There is no need to treat it as you are paying for it , these people are no different from you and pay rent and taxes as well.
You really need to check your facts, people below a certain income level in fact do not pay federal income taxes. Let’s assume they have a job, which they may or may not, if they qualify to live in subsidized housing, the simply math will show any money being deducted from their payroll checks is refunded at the end of the year and in many cases, these people get more back than they actually pay in. You can claim they pay taxes, but if you look at the actual tax code, you will see that they do not.
The City never addressed the increased traffic of 80-100 more cars traveling through the neighborhoods surrounding the housing units which weren’t created for that amount of traffic with little access to sidewalks. They ignored a petition raising that concern by the homeowners that pay their property taxes that provide for the City, and will ruin the quality of their neighborhoods, and decrease their property value. Once again the middle class is expected to shut-up, go to work and pay the taxes which are often used to fund projects against their best interests…
Please tell me what City of Brenham or Washington County tax revenues were used to construct this project? Answer: NONE! That is the purpose of this entire project. BHA facilities were in great need of replace or repair. ” Parklane Villas is being built by a partnership between the Washington County Housing Corporation, real estate developer HuntJohn LLC of Houston, and investment firm Raymond James”.
The original poster never stated that City or County Taxes were used to fund this project, they stated that they felt ignored by the City (who had to issue a building permit allowing this project) because they felt that proper access for people and vehicles were not included in the project. Secondly, they are expressing a concern that this type of lower income housing will devalue their homes. Both point seem to be valid opinions. You seemed to have missed their point.
With regard to taxpayer money, it is widely known that this type of housing receives Federal Government subsidies and yes, taxpayers bear the burden of cost for this. To claim there is no cost to taxpayers is simply ignoring the obvious.
Facts Matter: You are absolutely correct when you state, “To claim there is no cost to taxpayers is simply ignoring the obvious.” The Brenham Housing Authority’s own website points out that most receiving vouchers get 30-40% of the rent paid via the vouchers. That money does not appear due to someone waving a magic want. It comes out of the pocket of taxpayers. The way I see it is that the all inclusive cost of an average new unit is approx. $137,500. Likely some area taxpayers do not live in a home worth that much. The federal government funds most of these projects. Not included in the all inclusive cost/unit is the cost of the bureaucracy, at every level, spent to run these programs. I am not saying that such programs should be abolished nor am I in a position to evaluate the Brenham Housing Authority. I am stating that these programs cost taxpayers (usually much more than they realize) and that cost should be stated openly, including the cost of the bureaucracy at every level. The cost to taxpayers should never be ignored.
No, the middle class is expected to make at least minimal effort at understanding the world they are presented. Says right in the article that the same # of old units will be demolished. Looks to me like net increase to traffic = 0.
Traffic will increase on Hosea Street because there is only one entrance/exit to the complex and it is on Hosea Street. The units being demolished are not at the same location where these new units are being built.
I’m with you brother a 100%. I bet if it was within a mile from their house the would have a different opinion. But hey they are getting their revenue, MORE TAXES. The middle class always has to bear it.