OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Housing and Affordability Committee Meeting: May 26, 2026

Committees and Commissions — Tuesday, May 26, 2026
BodyHouston, Texas
SessionCommittees and Commissions
DateTuesday, May 26, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 54:05
Transcript — Verbatim
0:15

All right, good morning, everyone.

0:17

Today is Tuesday, May 26, 2026.

0:20

I officially call the Housing and Affordability Committee to order in chambers.

0:29

We have staff representation from Councilmember Jackson in District B, staff representation from Councilmember Castillo's office, district H, staff representation from District I, Councilmember Merc Tinez.

0:45

In chambers, we have Mayor Pro Tim, Martha Castex Tatum, Councilmember Ramirez, and staff from Council Member Carter at large three, Councilmember Alcorn out at large five.

1:01

And Vice Chair Davis is in chambers as well.

1:06

Today our agenda is solely focused on single family.

1:10

We'll hear presentation by assistant director Cedric Lassain.

1:13

And we'll hear directors' comments and of course our standing presentation of finance.

1:18

And we have two individuals currently signed up.

1:21

No three.

1:22

I see Doug, it wouldn't be right if Doug wouldn't on the agenda.

1:26

Then we it wouldn't be right.

1:27

So we have three um public speakers, and so at any point in the meeting, if you wish to speak, you just sign up and we'll give space to you.

1:34

Each speaker will have three minutes.

1:36

So good morning director, the floor is yours.

1:40

Thank you for having me.

1:41

And again, this is we're we're this is the beginning of our moving fast from the DR21 DR24s, and we're excited about that.

1:49

And today we're focused on single family, which of course is a significant priority of you as chairwoman and of the mayor to make sure that we um improve our stock of single family homes and improve the lives of those who live in them.

2:06

We'll start with the uh Cedric Lussain, who runs our single family program, and we'll go to the next slide.

2:14

Good morning.

2:15

Hi is everybody.

2:16

Good morning.

2:17

Uh good morning, madam chairwoman, vice chair, members of the committee.

2:21

I am presenting items 2A through 2D on behalf of the housing and community development department.

2:28

Items A and items B are together, uh, the same item.

2:34

Uh so we are recommending council approval for an ordinance authorizing the Eighth Amendment to the amended and restated home buyer assistance program, also known as HAP guidelines to increase the maximum subsidy from 50,000 to 75,000 to decrease the length of time for a participant to find a home from 120 days to 90 days, and incorporate the standard eligibility criteria that's across all single family programs, and this will affect all districts.

3:05

You want me to go on to item B?

3:08

We have item B.

3:11

HCD recommends council approval of an amendment to the homebuyer closing documents for the home buyer assistance program to align with the eighth amendment of the amended restated home buyer assistance program guidelines.

3:24

The homebuyer closing documents include the second lien deed of trust, the notice of occupancy restrictions, deferred payment loan note, and the terms and conditions, which affects all districts.

3:38

Okay.

3:40

All right.

3:40

Um, gonna go on to the question on A, uh, just from the can you just explain the reduction of the 120 to the 90 days?

3:50

Sure.

3:51

Um, so what we're seeing in uh the HBAP 2.0 program, uh, that length of time that's letting it hang out there.

3:58

Uh we're not getting the money spent.

4:00

So we're decreasing that time down to 90 days to go ahead and push that buyer to go and start looking for a home.

4:07

Sure.

4:07

Um we have homes that are available through our NHDP program, through our partners that uh with our affordable home development program.

4:15

So there are homes that are available and just trying to get those buyers a little bit of a more of a push to get out there and do it.

4:22

Um I also want to point out the assistance that's being provided under the HAP program is for 80% and below buyers.

4:31

Um, and that's gonna go up to eight-year affordability period.

4:35

Ah, okay.

4:36

Uh, and we're also gonna maintain the 33 and 45 percent ratios, so just to make sure that they're only using 33 percent of their income for housing.

4:46

Yep.

4:47

Uh, it's still gonna focus on the home buyers uh that have not owned a home or that have not owned a home in the last three years.

4:55

Um, so is it three-year cycle and not a seven-year?

4:58

It's a three-year, so they must not have owned a home in the last three years.

5:02

Sure.

5:03

Um, also want to add is the home buyer education will still be in place.

5:07

The assistance that will be provided will be through down payment assistance.

5:11

Yeah, through uh principal mortgage reduction, uh, as well as some ancillary fees that are included with the closing of the uh loans.

5:20

Sure.

5:21

So you're seeing the 90 day is almost like the median of the for the in order to strike from an administrative perspective to get the money down.

5:27

Okay.

5:28

Correct.

5:28

That makes sense.

5:29

Councilmember Ramirez.

5:30

Just following up on that, Cedric.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Homelessness███████████████████████████████████35%
Disaster Recovery███████████████████████23%
Affordable Housing██████████████████████22%
Housing and Community Development█████████████████17%
Community Engagement███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Housing and Affordability Committee Meeting: May 26, 2026

The Housing and Affordability Committee of the Houston City Council met on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, in chambers. The meeting focused on single-family housing programs, including updates to the Home Buyer Assistance Program (HAP), new disaster recovery guidelines for the 2024 Derecho and Hurricane Barrel, and progress reports on the DR21 Winter Storm program, the Navigation Center, and the 419 Emancipation Center. Five members of the public provided comments. No votes were taken; items discussed are scheduled for Council action on May 27, 2026.

Agenda Items

  • Call to Order & Attendance: Chairwoman called the meeting to order. Present: Mayor Pro Tem Martha Castex Tatum, Councilmember Ramirez, Vice Chair Davis, and staff representatives from Districts B, H, I, At-Large 3, and At-Large 5.

  • Presentation on Single-Family Programs (Assistant Director Cedric Lassain)

    • Items 2A & 2B: Home Buyer Assistance Program (HAP) Guidelines Amendment
      • Proposed increase of maximum subsidy from $50,000 to $75,000.
      • Reduction of time for a participant to find a home from 120 days to 90 days.
      • Incorporation of standard eligibility criteria across all single-family programs.
      • Affects all districts; aligns closing documents with the new guidelines.
    • Items 2C & 2D: 2024 Derecho and Hurricane Barrel Single-Family Home Repair Program
      • Adoption of program guidelines for rehabilitation and reconstruction for households at or below 80% AMI impacted by the storms.
      • Three tiers: Tier 1 (emergency/minor repairs up to $50,000), Tier 2 (moderate/substantial rehab $50,000–$80,000), Tier 3 (complete reconstruction up to $300,000).
      • Affordability period of 10 years; recapture of funds if sold within that period.
      • Note: Approximately 80% of homes in the pipeline require full reconstruction due to foundation damage.

  • DR24 Multifamily NOFA Update

    • $52 million in CDBG-DR funding available for construction/rehabilitation/acquisition of multifamily properties serving LMI households.
    • Application deadline: June 8, 2026.

  • Navigation Center NOFA Update

    • Seeking qualified nonprofit or government entities to operate the Navigation Center (2309 Jensen Dr., District B) with $10.5 million in DR24 funding plus local sources.
    • Connects unsheltered individuals to supportive services.

  • HCD Progress Reports

    • HBAP 2.0 (Down Payment Assistance): 708 applicants, 216 approved by GLO, 139 LMI, 77 urgent need; 89 closed for $8.9 million, 49 urgent need closed for $3.8 million (total $12.7 million in 9 months).
    • DR21 Winter Storm Program: Over 1,200 applicants; 59 approved, 31 in damage assessment, 47 in QAQC, 57 in review; expected to serve ~130–140 homes.
    • DR17 Grant Closeout: Expires February 2027; $329,000 administrative draw pending; $2.9 million in approvals/submissions for HBAP 2.0; multifamily closeouts returned $5.8 million to city; $4.7 million submitted.

  • 419 Emancipation Center (Homeless Resource Center)

    • 222-bed residential facility for triage, transition, and treatment.
    • Phased opening in late May 2026; first intake via outreach and law enforcement.
    • Community conversation held May 20, 2026 with District H constituents.
    • Director noted learning process and partnership with Harris Center, Harris Health, and Houston Coalition for the Homeless.
    • Councilmember Davis requested a tour for faith leaders; Director agreed to fast-track.

  • Finance Update (Tamika Jones)

    • Brief update on DR17 closeout as above. No formal presentation due to staff workload.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Dominic Mazak: Advocated for using storage facilities and shipping containers as interim housing for the homeless; urged that new housing be located on METRO routes. Raised concern about the planned closure of Irvington Village and asked about relocation plans.
  • Julia Orduña (Texas Housers): Expressed support for increased transparency in the new disaster recovery programs; called for deeper case management, warm handoffs for eligibility requirements (e.g., deed transfers), and community oversight committees. Questioned the 10-year affordability period as potentially heavy.
  • Lacey Lugo (CEO, The Apartments Concierge): Presented a new prop-tech platform to simplify leasing for voucher holders and property partners; seeking city support to deploy resources; currently partnered with 360 apartment communities accepting Section 8.
  • Doug Smith: Advocated for factory-built homes as a rapid, affordable housing solution; noted a recent 60 Minutes segment and asked for department consideration.

Key Outcomes

  • No formal votes were taken. Items 2A–2D are expected to appear on the May 27, 2026 City Council agenda for action.
  • Committee members expressed support for the single-family program updates and the DR24 home repair guidelines.
  • Chairwoman and Director committed to setting up a tour of the 419 Emancipation Center for faith leaders.
  • Director acknowledged the need for continued outreach and transparency; HCD will provide dashboards and graphics to council offices for newsletters.
  • Next Housing and Affordability Committee meeting scheduled for June 16, 2026.

Meeting Transcript

All right, good morning, everyone. Today is Tuesday, May 26, 2026. I officially call the Housing and Affordability Committee to order in chambers. We have staff representation from Councilmember Jackson in District B, staff representation from Councilmember Castillo's office, district H, staff representation from District I, Councilmember Merc Tinez. In chambers, we have Mayor Pro Tim, Martha Castex Tatum, Councilmember Ramirez, and staff from Council Member Carter at large three, Councilmember Alcorn out at large five. And Vice Chair Davis is in chambers as well. Today our agenda is solely focused on single family. We'll hear presentation by assistant director Cedric Lassain. And we'll hear directors' comments and of course our standing presentation of finance. And we have two individuals currently signed up. No three. I see Doug, it wouldn't be right if Doug wouldn't on the agenda. Then we it wouldn't be right. So we have three um public speakers, and so at any point in the meeting, if you wish to speak, you just sign up and we'll give space to you. Each speaker will have three minutes. So good morning director, the floor is yours. Thank you for having me. And again, this is we're we're this is the beginning of our moving fast from the DR21 DR24s, and we're excited about that. And today we're focused on single family, which of course is a significant priority of you as chairwoman and of the mayor to make sure that we um improve our stock of single family homes and improve the lives of those who live in them. We'll start with the uh Cedric Lussain, who runs our single family program, and we'll go to the next slide. Good morning. Hi is everybody. Good morning. Uh good morning, madam chairwoman, vice chair, members of the committee. I am presenting items 2A through 2D on behalf of the housing and community development department. Items A and items B are together, uh, the same item. Uh so we are recommending council approval for an ordinance authorizing the Eighth Amendment to the amended and restated home buyer assistance program, also known as HAP guidelines to increase the maximum subsidy from 50,000 to 75,000 to decrease the length of time for a participant to find a home from 120 days to 90 days, and incorporate the standard eligibility criteria that's across all single family programs, and this will affect all districts. You want me to go on to item B? We have item B. HCD recommends council approval of an amendment to the homebuyer closing documents for the home buyer assistance program to align with the eighth amendment of the amended restated home buyer assistance program guidelines. The homebuyer closing documents include the second lien deed of trust, the notice of occupancy restrictions, deferred payment loan note, and the terms and conditions, which affects all districts. Okay. All right. Um, gonna go on to the question on A, uh, just from the can you just explain the reduction of the 120 to the 90 days? Sure. Um, so what we're seeing in uh the HBAP 2.0 program, uh, that length of time that's letting it hang out there. Uh we're not getting the money spent. So we're decreasing that time down to 90 days to go ahead and push that buyer to go and start looking for a home. Sure. Um we have homes that are available through our NHDP program, through our partners that uh with our affordable home development program. So there are homes that are available and just trying to get those buyers a little bit of a more of a push to get out there and do it. Um I also want to point out the assistance that's being provided under the HAP program is for 80% and below buyers. Um, and that's gonna go up to eight-year affordability period. Ah, okay. Uh, and we're also gonna maintain the 33 and 45 percent ratios, so just to make sure that they're only using 33 percent of their income for housing. Yep. Uh, it's still gonna focus on the home buyers uh that have not owned a home or that have not owned a home in the last three years. Um, so is it three-year cycle and not a seven-year? It's a three-year, so they must not have owned a home in the last three years. Sure.

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