CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A gift from the Ed Rachel Foundation to the City is finally being realized as a place for new affordable homes.
Last week, city council approved contracts for the gift of land to four developers to create at least 40 new homes at the site of the old Lamar Elementary.
Although not a huge parcel of land, it's enough for local developers to build a large number of affordable homes.
And for some, it's part of a dream come true.
"I am so excited for everybody, this is a dream I've had since Habitat came into being back in 1989," Cheryl Andrews, interim executive director for Habitat for Humanity, said.
One of four developers who got a deal from the City to purchase land at bargain prices that was once the site for the school on 19th Street near City Bakery.
"It's not only a great help with our affordable housing shortage here in Corpus Christi, but it's also a great shot in the arm to that neighborhood," councilmember Mike Pusley said.
The city agreed to sell the 3.47 acres for around $10 per lot, plus a small fee once the finished homes are purchased or leased.
"This will provide probably 40 to 45 single-family units and 72 senior housing units which we are definitely in need of that as well," City of Corpus Christi Planning & Community Development Department Director Dan McGinn said.
While the City has approved it, the 72 senior units is dependent on a developer getting tax credits from the state which is not a certainty yet.
The new family homes will be built with cost in mind according to McGinn.
"They don't have two car garages, things that you might find in newer construction in the Southside or London which helps, but yeah, they have a business plan or a model down that does help them reduce some of the costs," he said.
Each developer has it's own plan for making home ownership affordable.
"We're going to have six for the first year and six for the second year that they have given to us for this infill project," Andrews said. "We can do those homes at the same time that we're doing critical repairs for qualified people."
The city will approve the zoning change next month so that construction can begin.