HCDC Programs:

Current Programs:

City of Harlingen HOME CHDO Program
HCDC is currently administering the City of Harlingen’s HOME CHDC set aside program that involves the construction of single family homes for low to moderate income families. HCDC’s Loan Processor conducts marketing and outreach, works with eligible families, and assists with credit/financial counseling, and in securing down payment assistance from the City of Harlingen.

American Electric Power (AEP) Texas Low Income Weatherization Program
In 2008, HCDC signed a contract with the American Electric Power Company (AEP) to weatherize homes and replace non-energy efficient appliances with new Energy Star products. To date, HCDC has received over $500,000 in program funds and weatherized over 175 homes of low-income families in South Texas.

City of Harlingen Neighborhood Stabilization Program
HCDC is partnering with the City of Harlingen to implement a Neighborhood Stabilization Program grant from TDHCA.  HCDC’s role will be to acquire and rehabilitate foreclosed homes and sell them to income-eligible homebuyers.  This program began in October 2008 and will continue into 2010.

Cameron County Housing Recovery Program
HCDC has received funding from Cameron County (through the “State of Texas) to assist homeowners whose homes were damaged by Hurricane Dolly in 2008. HCDC will provide assistance in the form of grants for minor repairs, rehabilitation, and reconstruction to eligible homeowners.

Energy Efficiency, Green Building, and Sustainability
HCDC will explore all programs that promote energy efficiency, including the Energy Star Program and innovative Green Building strategies that encourage sustainability.

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.”

 

Private and Public Financial Partnerships

 

HCDC’s track record documents its ability to attract private financial support and assistance for the implementation of affordable housing programs for low-income families. HCDC has served as catalyst in the creation of viable financial partnerships to maximize financial resources, increase housing production, and serve more low income families. HCDC’s financial partnerships include local banks and national intermediaries as listed below:

LENDER/INTERMEDIARY	LENDER/INTERMEDIARY
Bank of America	Chase Bank of Texas
International Bank of Commerce	USDA/Rural Development
Compass Bank	Fannie Mae
Capital One Bank	Other local mortgage lenders

HCDC has also developed strong partnerships with other local, state, and national non-profit organizations, including private and faith-based groups:

• Brownsville Affordable Homeownership Corporation, Brownsville, Texas
• Center for Economic Opportunities, Alamo, Texas
• Housing Assistance Council, Albuquerque, New Mexico
• Fannie Mae Border Region Partnership Office Advisory Council, San Antonio
• National Community Reinvestment Association, Washington, D.C.
• Sister of Charity of the Incarnate Word, Houston, Texas
• Texas Association of Community Development Corporations, Austin, Texas
• Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs, Austin, Texas
• Texas Department of Rural Affairs, Austin, Texas
• National Association of Latino Community Asset Builders (NALCAB)
• Cameron County Planning Department, Brownsville, Texas
• South Texas Affordable Corporation, McAllen, Texas
• South Texas Adult Resource Center, San Benito, Texas
• Future Design, Inc., faith based group in Harlingen, Texas
• American Electric Power (AEP), Houston, Texas
• Frontier Associates, Inc., Austin, Texas