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128 Unit Apartment Complex
- Updated: September 19, 2014
From left: Juan Gamez, Mike Trejo, Armando Prado, Heidi Warner, Lori Weaver, Emma Martinez, Rafael Tapia, Basilio “Chino” Sanchez, Omar Lucio, Janie Gonzalez, Victor Gonzalez, Jr., Luis Garza, Gloria Casas, Dave Kusch, Dan O’Dea, Javier Mendez, Angela Gonzalez, George Dale, Sunny K. Philip and Mark Gross. (Photo courtesy of Sara Walker, South Texas Collaborative for Housing Development, Inc.)
Primera Homes Are A Third Success Story for La Feria Developers
Story by Bill Keltner
The groundbreaking ceremony in Primera last week marked the third successful housing development by the South Texas Collaborative for Housing Development, Inc., a non-profit corporation based in La Feria, Texas. It was a joint venture shared with Delphi Affordable Housing Group, Inc. of Austin, Texas.
It was a memorable day which drew a slate of Primera city officials and interested, elected dignitaries and others for the honors. The guests symbolically broke ground for the federally-supported 128 Unit SUNQUEST APARTMENTS just north of town. “These beautiful, safe and affordable rental units are designed for workforce people who could qualify,” according to spokesperson, Sunny K. Philip, La Feria City Manager.
Artist’s Rendering of SUNQUEST Housing Unit. (Photo by Bill Keltner)
“They are designed to serve the low and very low-income working families of Cameron County,” he stated, adding, “the development has set aside units for those earning 60%, 50% and 30% of the area median income. Twenty-eight of them are designated as market rate units.”
A total of three such low-income housing developments are a direct result of the initiative of Mr. Philip. He serves as the volunteer Executive Director of the South Texas Collaborative for Housing Development, Inc. a non-profit group which was expressly formed in 2009 to obtain state and federal funds for these much-needed apartment complexes. He spearheaded the efforts to find the necessary government channels to get grants and funding.
“They are designed to serve the low and very low-income working families of Cameron County. The development has set aside units for those earning 60%, 50% and 30% of the area median income. Twenty-eight of them are designated as market rate units.”
– Sunny K. Philip, La Feria City Manager.
As a result of these efforts and contacts with government agencies, SUNFLOWER ESTATES, an 80-unit housing development, was financed and built in 2012, and now enjoys 100% occupancy. It is located adjacent to LIONS VILLA ESTATES in La Feria.
Another success story is the housing development on north Solis Road, known as SUNRISE TERRACE. This is a 70-unit single family development with 2, 3, and 4 bedroom apartments. Families are currently moving into their new homes.
This latest SUNQUEST APARTMENT Complex, as well as SUNFLOWER ESTATES and SUNRISE TERRACE, were awarded funds through the federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program, administered in the state by the Texas Department of Community Affairs (TDHCA). PNC MultiFamily Capital is providing equity for the project, while the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is providing a credit enhancement for FHA financing.
Sara Walker, Project Coordinator, and Sunny K. Philip planning future housing projects. (Photo by Bill Keltner)
Executive Director Sunny Philip said the motto of the South Texas Collaborative for Housing Development is to develop top-quality apartments and homes at affordable rates. “There is a definite need for affordable workforce housing and this non-profit South Texas Collaborative is rising to the occasion to assist families as the area of Cameron, Hidalgo, Star, and Willacy Counties continues to grow and expand,” he said,, “and we plan to grow with it.”
After the formalities of the groundbreaking ceremony, the guests were invited to enjoy a lavish luncheon catered by Don Beto’s Mexican Restaurant in La Feria..
Persons wishing more information about these housing projects are invited to call Sara Walker, Project Coordinator, at (956) 797-2324 or email [email protected]
