Local Nonprofit Provides Affordable Housing Solutions for Low Income Residents

Updated: August 7, 2015

Editor’s note: This article was put together using much of the information on the STCHD’s website originally written by STCHD Director Sara Walker. We will be publishing a more in-depth article in an upcoming issue covering some of the more current developments made by STCHD.

The South Texas Collaborative for Housing Development, Inc. (STCHD) is a is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2009 to provide decent and affordable housing to low and moderate-income families throughout Texas other than Dallam, Lubbock, Hudspeth, and Orange counties. STCHD also provides loans and investment products, development services, and other related activities to promote both economic and community development in traditionally underserved areas.

At this time STCHD has two apartment complexes as well as an affordable housing subdivision in the La Feria area: Sunflower Estates Apartments, Sunquest Apartments, and the Sunrise Terrace Subdivision.

Sunflower Estates Apartments are located off north Main Street in La Feria, near Expressway 83 and within walking distance of the Valley Metro bus stop. The multifamily development includes 80 garden-style apartments, with one, two, and three bedroom units available.

Each apartment is equipped with central air conditioning and heating, energy efficient appliances, washer and dryer hook-ups, private patios, cable TV and internet ready wiring as well as community amenities such as onsite management and maintenance, a community center and kitchen, a business center with computers and internet access, two age-appropriate playgrounds, onsite laundry facilities, covered parking, barbeque pits and picnic areas and free resident services.

South Texas Collaborative for Housing Development, Inc. Board of Directors (left to right): Luis Garza, George Dale, Ida Silguero, Heidi Warner, Emma Martinez, Gloria Casas and Sunny K. Philip. Photo: www.stchd.org.

STCHD, together with Delphi Affordable Housing Group, Inc. of Austin, developed Sunflower Estates Apartments to serve the low- and very low- income working families of Cameron County. Sunflower Estates Apartments were awarded funds through the federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program, administered in state by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA). PNC MultiFamily Capital provided equity for the project, while the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provided credit enhancement for FHA financing.

Sunquest Apartments are located on north Stuart Place Road in Primera. The multifamily development includes 128 garden-style apartments, with one, two, and three bedroom units available. Each apartment is equipped with central air conditioning and heating, energy efficient appliances, washer and dryer hook-ups, private patios, cable TV and internet ready wiring as well as community amenities including onsite management and maintenance, a community center and kitchen, a business center with computers and internet access, a fitness room, an access-controlled gate onto property, two age-appropriate playgrounds, onsite laundry facilities, barbeque pits and picnic areas and free resident services.

STCHD, together with Delphi Affordable Housing Group, Inc. of Austin, developed Sunquest Apartments to serve the low- and very low- income working families of Cameron County. Sunquest Apartments were awarded funds through the federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program, administered in state by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA). PNC MultiFamily Capital provided equity for the project, while the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provided credit enhancement for FHA financing.

Sunrise Terrace Subdivision is located on north Solis Road/FM 2556 in La Feria, near Expressway 83. The development includes 70 single-family rental houses, with two, three, and four bedroom units available. Each house is equipped with central air conditioning and heating, energy efficient appliances, washer and dryer hook-ups, yard with landscaping, private driveways and enclosed garages, cable TV and internet ready wiring. Community amenities include onsite management and maintenance, a community center and kitchen, a business center with computers and internet access, two age-appropriate playgrounds, a basketball court and free resident services

STCHD, together with Delphi Affordable Housing Group, Inc. of Austin, developed Sunrise Terrace to serve the low- and very low- income working families of Cameron County. Sunrise Terrace was awarded funds through the federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program, administered in state by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA). PNC MultiFamily Capital provided equity for the project, while the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provided credit enhancement for FHA financing. The La Feria Economic Development Corporation awarded a grant to Sunrise Terrace, while the City of La Feria Tax Interest Reinvestment Zone provided funding for off-site construction to benefit Sunrise Terrace and future growth in the area.

STCHD also manages single family rental homes located around La Feria. Each home includes three bedrooms and two baths, as well asm central air conditioning and heating, energy efficient appliances, washer and dryer hook-ups, cable TV and internet ready wiring, a yard, driveway and property management and maintenance.

In addition to their rental properties, STCHD also offers a number of individual properties for sale with seller financing and general contractor services available to provide prospective buyers with a simple, all-in-one purchase.

For more information or to view any of the rental houses, please contact the South Texas Collaborative for Housing Development, Inc. office at (956) 797.2324 or visit their website at www.stchd.org.