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Council backs ‘Orange Trails’ senior housing support resolution
Summary
Council voted to support the Orange Trails affordable senior housing application for housing tax credits and approved a symbolic $250 fee waiver; the developer plans 63 units and estimates a roughly $12 million investment.
Orange, Texas — The City Council on Jan. 28 voted to affirm support for Orange Trails, a proposed 63‑unit affordable senior housing community, and agreed to a de minimis commitment and a $250 symbolic fee waiver to support the project’s application for federal housing tax credits administered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA).
Trinity Housing Development representative Alice Woods told council the project would be a two‑story, elevator‑served building with one‑ and two‑bedroom units for independent seniors. Woods said the development uses the federal low‑income housing tax credit model and would remain privately owned and managed with a minimum compliance period of 15 years. She told council the project would require rezoning of a parcel currently zoned Interstate Development Corridor (IDC) to R‑3 if TDHCA awards credits and the city proceeds with a rezoning review.
Woods described rents as set by TDHCA and based on Orange County median family income; the presentation gave approximate monthly rent ranges of about $440 to $880 for one‑bedroom units and roughly $530 to $1,050 for two‑bedroom units depending on income bands. The developer estimated the project would represent about a $12,000,000 new investment in Orange and said construction would be locally contracted when feasible. Woods said Trinity would not request a property tax exemption and intends long‑term ownership.
Council discussion centered on site suitability between a commercial corridor and single‑family neighborhoods, workforce and local contracting opportunities, and the application timeline. Woods said a full application would be submitted to TDHCA on Feb. 28; preliminary TDHCA results could be known in April with official awards in July 2025. If awarded, the developer anticipated closing on land and starting construction in early 2026.
Council voted to approve the resolution of support and the de minimis commitment; the motion passed with all members present voting aye. The resolution does not itself grant zoning changes or tax credits; it is a statement of municipal support required by TDHCA as part of the tax credit application process.
