Program History

Since the 1991, HCDC has had an ongoing partnership with the City of Harlingen to administer their HOME CHDO funds.  To date, HCDC has constructed 136 homes for low income families and generated over $6,733,654 million in total private investment.

In 2007, HCDC assisted Cameron County with the implementation of HOME Program Contract No. 1000217.  This program called for the rehabilitation of 17 single family owner occupied housing units in the areas of San Benito (Green Valley Subdivision), and in Olmito.  HCDC completed the re-evaluation of homeowner applications and project set-ups within 60 days, and completed all rehabilitation activities within 90 days. 

In 2005, HCDC successfully completed Northstar Apartments, a 72 unit multi-family rental housing development in Raymondville, TX, through TDHCA’s Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program.  This new apartment community (four plexes) targets 85 percent of its tenants with incomes less than 60% of area median, and 15 percent of its tenants with incomes above 80% of area median. 

In 2003, HCDC completed the Harlingen Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Program which targeted the historic core of the City for housing revitalization activities.  With the use of multiple government financing sources (including HUD CDBG), HCDC acquired and rehabilitated 24 properties.  This strategy included both single family and rental units for families at or below 80% of median income for the area.  In total, the Program introduced fifteen (15) families in to the area, and produced twelve (12) affordable rental apartments. Additionally, one business was attracted to the area, a children’s learning center.

In 2002, HCDC was funded for an innovative, three year, $450,000 program to retrain 125 dislocated workers from the garment industry. HCDC partnered with Cameron Works, Inc., the University of Texas at Brownsville (UTB Micro-enterprise Program), Educational Service Center, Region One, the private sector, and others in the community. Training was completed early in 2004, and results included 140 dislocated workers trained and 100 workers placed in public/private sector jobs. HCDC leveraged over$450,000 in local funding and developed a model training program.

In 2001, HCDC received a capacity building grant from Youthbuild USA to assist Crystal City/Zavala County, Texas start a Youthbuild Program. As a result of the technical assistance provided by HCDC, the Crystal City Housing Authority received three HUD Youthbuild grants and was able to assist at-risk youth and rehabilitate many housing authority units.

In 1999, HCDC partnered with the TDHCA Youth Works Program and constructed five (5) homes for low-income elderly and disabled households.  The program trained 20 at-risk youth in construction trades.

In 1998 and 1999, HCDC received two HUD Youth Build Program grants to train over 50 at-risk youth in housing construction. The YB program received over $700,000 in training funds while HCDC generated nearly $400,000 in housing funds to construct eight (8) homes for low-income, elderly, and disabled families.

In 1996, HCDC partnered with a private Florida developer to construct Windstar Apartments, an eighty (80) unit affordable rental housing complex ($5.3 million) in Harlingen.  The partnership received 1996 Low Income Tax Credits from TDHCA ($453,000), and to date, the apartment complex maintains 100% occupancy and a substantial waiting list.

In 1995, HCDC secured a $312,000 grant from TDHCA and partnered with International Bank of Commerce, Texas Commerce Bank, and Rural Development and Finance Corporation to construct 21 units of single family housing targeted to large families and single family head of households in Harlingen.

In 1995, HCDC, in conjunction with Fannie Mae, HUD, FHA, and local banks, received funding from the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word Dubois Fund, First Time Buyer Program, to assist single, female head of household with children in obtaining homeownership. Ten homes were secured for the target group, and a total investment of $611,750 was generated through this grant...

In 1994, HCDC partnered with Texas State Technical College and Harlingen ISD to construct 8 homes for elderly and working poor using “student labor.”