BRENHAM CITY COUNCIL DEBATES TAX CREDIT APARTMENT PROJECT
(courtesy KCG)
The Brenham City Council is divided on the possibility of a subsidized housing project coming to Brenham.
While no action was taken, councilmembers discussed at length today (Thursday) the specifics of The Bluebonnet, a workforce housing community comprised of 52 apartment units, and debated whether the project would benefit Brenham’s housing landscape. The development, which would be located on 6.11 acres on Prairie Lea Street, is seeking a resolution of support from the council in order to receive funding from the state.
Ina Spokas, Vice President of Development for KCG Companies, who is overseeing the project, said the tenants for this community would primarily be working families and individuals who make between minimum wage and $20 an hour.
Spokas said the 52 units in the community would range between 1 bed-1 bath and 3 bed-2 bath apartments, approximately 800-1,200 square feet in size. Amenities would include secured entry, full perimeter fencing, a fitness center, a business center and outdoor recreational features such as a swimming pool, gazebos, barbecue grills and picnic tables. Six of the units would be market value, while the other 46 would be priced at income brackets of 30 percent, 50 percent and 60 percent Area Median Income.
Prospective tenants would need to income-qualify and pass both financial background checks and criminal background checks. Restrictions of the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program prohibit full-time student households from occupying units.
Much of the council’s discussion was spent on the city’s current inventory of tax-credit housing. According to data provided by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA), Brenham ranks 77th out of 1,746 Texas cities in the amount of subsidized housing units, the top 4.4 percent of cities in the state. However, Brenham | Washington County Economic Development Director Susan Cates noted that out of the 532 units in Brenham, only 76 of those are not age-restricted to the elderly or part of the Brenham Housing Authority.
Councilmembers Shannan Canales, Leah Cook and Clint Kolby were in favor of moving forward with the project, citing the need and demand for additional housing. However, Mayor Milton Tate and councilmembers Atwood Kenjura and Adonna Saunders appeared to oppose it, saying other cities have been able to address their housing problems without adding more subsidized housing.
As with the Sandy Point Housing project that came before the council last February, since the city has over two times the state average of housing tax credits per capita, the city must approve a resolution of support in order for the TDHCA to grant funding for the project.
The council is expected to vote on whether to back the proposal at its next meeting.
Also at today’s meeting, the council:
- Voted to adopt the 2022 Thoroughfare Plan, a supplement to the city’s Comprehensive Plan that acts as a wish list of major public improvements and developments over the next 20 years.
- Authorized the issuance and sale of the City of Brenham’s 2022 certificates of obligation. The city accepted the bid of BOK Financial Securities, Inc. in Dallas at a rate of 2.13 percent. The proceeds from the sale, not to exceed $10 million, will be used for construction and upgrades to city facilities and infrastructure.
- Amended the professional services agreement with Hodde & Hodde Land Surveying, Inc. related to the construction of a 6-inch gas main loop along the west side of FM 577 from East Alamo Street to Brown Street. The amendment increases the amount to finish the project by $34,500 in order to complete the gas loop by extending 6-inch gas pipe along FM 577, from Brown Street to Gay Hill Street.
- Amended the professional services agreement with Hodde & Hodde Land Surveying, Inc. related to the city’s raw water intake system. The amendment is an increase of $7,500 for additional research and work required to update existing easements, improving monumentation and adding easements for lake intake structures.
- Accepted the bid of Hahn Equipment Company for $94,400 for the Ralston Creek lift station pumps.
- Consulted with the city attorney in executive session regarding potential mediation with former Brenham Fire Chief Ricky Boeker, as well as City of Brenham v. WTG Gas Marketing, Inc.; Cause No. 37573; 335th Judicial District Court, Washington County.
This topic brings out all of the usual bigotry and nonsense that is dividing our communities, cities and country today. As long as this town only has fast food outlets and manufacturing jobs that pay “slave” wages THERE WILL ALWAYS BE A NEED FOR SUBSIDIZED HOUSING … AT TAXPAYERS EXPENSE … WHILE THE INDUSTRIES THAT CREATED THE MESS are allowed to BANK BIG BUCKS … SO THEY CAN FUND POLITICAL PROSTITUTES TO PROTECT THEIR CORRUPT POLITICAL SYSTEM. It is the American way (dream) and there is NO WAY it will change without a taxpayer revolt. The Bluebonnet enterprise will soon be a reality because, “the business of government is business”.
I was in opposition to the Pecan Street proposal last year, and I also oppose this project. Subsidized housing is not going to bring in qualified workers. It will only attract fast food workers that will quit in a few months but continue to live off the govt. One of the City Councilmen was “FOR” the same type of project last year, and is now for this one. I am all for helping my community, but this is not the way. We have above quota for subsidized housing. This is just another businessman wanting to make a profit off the govt. and trying to use our city to do so. Everyone needs to show up for the next council meeting !!! This is the only way your voice will really be heard.
There are income restrictions, credit qualifications, and background checks on developments like these. If ordinary school teachers are not “qualified workers” in your book then there is absolutely nothing I can say that will change your mind.
You are incorrect on many points. Quality “workers” also have a need for affordable housing. It might not be a permanent solution to their life’s path, but it can sure be a great helping start. Who are you to cast so much doubt and negativity?
It seems that you might not understand that mist average people cannot buy a $300,000 house to start. Some times it dies take a stepping stone at a time to get there. I am glad your view is nice and clear in your tower.
How do I get a application for this upcoming complex.? When should be the expected availability?
The City should approve this project because it’s federal money from outside our community being brought into it to build a multimillion dollar property. The first thing we get from this are hundreds of construction jobs. When it is built, we get less expensive housing for the Brenhamites that meet income qualifications and pass a background test. The local residents then save money, which can be spent elsewhere in the community or saved up to buy a home, helping them and also our local businesses in the process. Local businesses and the schools also benefit because it’s easier to recruit and retain teachers, factory workers, and municipal employees if there is affordable housing.
Projects like these are a virtuous circle of economic development. Think of this like accepting grant money for a new public project that is clearly in demand except that the City doesn’t have to match funds or build, operate, or maintain it. It’s very hard to say no to that.
Do you pay federal taxes ? I do!! So the money still comes out of our pockets. Your reasoning continues down the road of government control…they take money out of your pocket to spend on projects that will continue to get them elected or continue to keep them in their Cush government job.
Why yes, I do pay federal taxes and when I pay them I take every deduction and credit afforded me by acts of Congress, no matter who’s in charge or whether I think that the tax break is good policy. Don’t you? Why cut off your nose to spite your face? Now look, there’s a lot of money that leaves our community to go to Washington D.C. and I’m not okay with government bloat, but nobody is fighting the bloat and the incumbents just seem to keep on winning. This is not a program that’s going away and just because a City Council objects to a project doesn’t mean that the federal money won’t get allocated. If that happens, it just gets spent in some other town and they reap the benefits instead of us.
Exactly! This money has already been allocated by the IRS. Why not have our community benefit from it?
Yes, federal dollars. Do you not pay federal income tax? You act as though this is free money. Thanks when every city does this guess what happens to your federal income taxes? Spoiler alert: they go UP!!
This kind of thinking is why the federal deficit is what it is and why my grandchildren will be paying for it.
How will more subsidized housing “projects” help Brenham? Doesn’t seem like it would attract the high earning skilled workers or wealthy retirees we need that would benefit our community. We don’t need to be attracting any more people who just add burden to social services. These kinds of Housing Projects are never positive. Never.
No, high-earning skilled workers and wealthy retirees won’t intentionally come to Brenham because of this. They’ll probably not even notice it’s there, just like they’ll likely not notice a wastewater treatment plant if they even know what one is. That doesn’t make this stuff unimportant. Somebody has to prepare their food, sell them goods and services, work at the factories that comprise our tax base, clean our hospitals, maintain our public parks and infrastructure, and teach the next generation of kids that will do these things. Brenham is not a gated-off destination theme park for outside wealth. Brenham is a community and we can cater to the new arrivals and also take care of our own.
You are incorrect sir or madam.
Quality workers also need affordable housing.
Not all are rich and entitled.
Actually, some people start off in a bad way, then, they get more able and become the better person.
Where do you think that a “High Skilled Worker” would actually work here in Brenham?
How much do you imagine that person would be paid?
Enough to buy a $300,000 house?
What jobs are you talking about that are in need of these magical workers?
This is Brenham, Texas.
We need more regular people, with regular jobs and lives, and less retirees and other overly specific needs people.
Good grief!!!
Brenham has MORE LOW INCOME GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIZED housing than ANY CITY in the state. We need to work on more affordable housing for working families PERIOD! Stand firm Mayor, Adonna and Kenjura. We need wise decisions and wise judgment.
SMH this is for the WORKING families!!! Please read it all!!!!! Also…. Do you know why we have “more” that any other city??? I bet you don’t… DID you know that more than half of our AFFORDABLE people not PROJECTS is all to Elderly and are limited to ONLY the elderly? we have 76 (affordable) units in Brenham available to the working family…… PLEASE look into this.
Build It and They Will Come
Wow…Brenham is in the top 4% of the state in government sponsored housing…that ought to make you proud. How about doing things to hold the quality of life standards of this community? How about working harder to pull quality industries into the community? Show us how much this project helps produce tax and revenue that’s helps the burden already placed on those of us who have worked hard for years to make this a quality community to live in? Hats off to those who are questioning the value of this to us…the current , long term residences.
Amen!
Fought this ridiculous nonsense a year ago with the Pecan Street proposal. Since then, two new council members have been added. Both are in favor of this development. Elections have consequences. Hopefully people pay closer attention next election.
What makes the Brenham community so unique that we need 3x the state average for subsidized housing? And with amenities that most tax payers cannot afford themselves. It’s shameful and lazy of our “leadership”.
I know it can be a frustrating and thankless job at times, but the fact that this comes up every year, and the vote gets closer and closer each time, must mean that some of us need to step up and run against those in favor of considering such proposals.
WE dont have 3x the state avg! Are you in the median margin for Brenham’s income? If not please dont compare! DOES everyone know how much a introductory Teacher gets paid? OR a avg Blue Bell employee? Maybe a Young adult coming out of college with student debt? Do we know why we dont have private developers JUMPING to come to Brenham? COST of land is so expensive we NEED tax credits just to help buy the land! Why would we want to not offer nice ammentaties? It would attract better people to stay there. Why CANT the workers at HEB, Teachers, Office employees not have a pool? or a rec center? TO ME IT SOUNDS LIKE BRENHAM has another problem… sounds like Brenham people are against the blue collar workers. WOW I hope yalls parents weren’t week to week pay check families. Because they wouldn’t be able to afford it anymore!
Agree with Tired of it, we’ll said.
Reconsider quality vs quantity for our community and re-visit the tax base before you totally exhaust the property owners.
I don’t know.
Brenham does need more affordable housing for the current and future residents.
This seems like it would be nicer places to live then the current project housing( BHA).
Many, many people are moving here, and will continue to, but not all can afford to buy a house right away, or pay the very high rent that the majority of landlords charge for houses.
I think you might want to ask yourself why are DR Horton and Style Craft allowed to build such poorly constructed, overpriced houses, that most first time home buyers cannot afford???
The city Fathers let that happen, and that only raises the prices of the current houses above and beyond what they are worth or that people can afford.
Which in turn makes the property tax amount rise, even if the rate goes down.
A new apartment complex is needed anyway you look at it.
Time progresses, and things change.
Brenham is going to continue to grow in spite of all of the opposition to it.
It is centrally located on the 290, between Houston and Austin. Growth is in it’s future.
Time and tide, wait for no man, my friend. We need to prepare for it, and not pretend it will not happen.