Amid growing concerns regarding the lack of affordable housing across the nation, one master-planned community in Houston aims to provide a safe place to call home for families in the area.

Developed by Houston Habitat for Humanity, 127-acre Robins Landing is a new mixed-income community in Northeast Houston serving low- to moderate-income Houstonians. 

A recent report by the Urban Reform Institute and the Frontier Centre for Public Policy ranked Houston No. 27 on its list of most affordable housing markets internationally. However, while the numbers show Houston-area housing is cheaper than other major metropolitan areas, it is still considered “seriously unaffordable.”

“As the pandemic and lockdowns continued into a second year, the movement of households from denser urban neighborhoods to larger homes, often with large yards (gardens) in suburban and outlying areas has continued,” said Wendell Cox, a senior fellow at both the Urban Reform Institute and Frontier Centre for Public Policy. 

“The result has been to drive up prices at unprecedented rates in many markets. As a result, many low-income and middle-income households who already have suffered the worst consequences from housing inflation will see their standards of living further decline.”

Robins Landing is set to include more than 450 single-family homes, 100 of which will be built exclusively for families earning 80% or below the City of Houston’s average median income (AMI).

“Along with our partners, we are creating a more inclusive, equitable, and open path toward homeownership,” said Allison Hay, executive director of Houston Habitat for Humanity. “Everyone deserves a decent and affordable place to call home with access to everyday resources that make a thriving community.”

According to the Robins Landing website, home-building will begin in August.