Affordable homes coming to former Lamar Elementary School location

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A donation from the Ed Rachel Foundation to the city is finally coming through to create new affordable housing.

Last week, the City Council approved contracts to donate land to four developers to create at least 40 new homes on the site of the former Lamar Elementary School.

Although it's not a huge parcel of land, it's enough for local developers to build a lot of affordable housing.

And for some, it's a dream come true.

“I'm so excited for everyone, this is a dream I've had since Habitat was founded in 1989,” said Cheryl Andrews, interim executive director of Habitat for Humanity.

One of four developers who won approval from the city to buy land at bargain prices that was once the site of the 19th Street school near City Bakery.

“This is not only a big help to address our shortage of affordable housing here in Corpus Christi, but it’s also a tremendous boost for this neighborhood,” said City Council Member Mike Pusley.

The city agreed to sell the 3.47 acres for about $10 per lot, plus a small fee once the finished homes are purchased or rented.

“It will probably provide 40 to 45 single-family housing units and 72 senior housing units, which we certainly need as well,” said Dan McGinn, director of the City of Corpus Christi Department of Planning and Community Development.

Although the city approved it, the 72 senior housing units are contingent on a developer receiving state tax credits, which is not yet a certainty.

The new family homes will be built with costs in mind, according to McGinn.

“They don't have two car garages, things that you might find in new builds on the Southside or London, which helps, but yes, they have a business plan or a model that helps them reduce some costs,” he said. said.

Every developer has their own plan for making homeownership affordable.

“We're going to have six for the first year and six for the second year that they gave us for this infill project,” Andrews said. “We can do these homes at the same time as we do critical repairs for qualified people.”

The city will approve the zoning change next month so construction can begin.