Tejano Center and developer ask council to back $4 million HOME loan for Andover Village affordable housing and on-site preschool

Developers and community partners urged Houston City Council on Tuesday to approve a $4,000,000 HOME loan to move forward Andover Village, a mixed-use development in the Hobby-area that proponents said would include affordable housing and on-site early childhood education.

Why it matters: Supporters said the complex would pair permanent affordable units with a wraparound early-childhood program intended to place resident children at the head of the enrollment list. Proponents said that coupling housing with education would promote stability and school readiness in a neighborhood facing displacement pressures.

Dr. Adriana Tamez, CEO of the Tejano Center and superintendent of RYSS, presented the project and its education component. "Andover Village will offer a 105 affordable housing units, helping families access safe, stable homes," she said, adding that Tejano Center would operate the on-site early childhood program and that the Texas Education Agency had preapproved the site for a new program.

Developer Donna Rickenbacker said the project would replicate earlier locally successful models, including Regency Lofts, and highlighted academic outcomes: "Of the 22 [children] graduated, 19 are going into kindergarten reading," she said about a related program. Several council members, including Joaquin Martinez, Evan Shabazz and Erin Sparrows (as recorded in the transcript), expressed public support on the floor for the concept and the loan request.

Project details and clarifications: Speakers described the housing portion with slightly different unit counts in the transcript. Tamez said the development would include "105 affordable housing units," while other council discussion later referenced 120 units, with a speaker noting "80% at 60 AMI or below." The transcript does not record a final council vote on the HOME loan during the excerpt; multiple council members verbally supported the project during public comment.

Community benefits and caveats: Proponents noted that the project is in a Tier 2 area near the airport and that sound-mitigation measures add cost. Rickenbacker and several council members asked the administration for continued support to close remaining financing gaps. Tejano Center volunteered on the record to serve as a warming and cooling center using an on-site generator already installed at one partner property.

Ending: The item remained on the council agenda for consideration; the transcript records substantial public support and council interest but does not include a final recorded council vote in the excerpt provided. Supporters urged timely approval to preserve affordability in an area experiencing pressure from rising housing costs.