Single Family New Construction Program

Single-Family New Construction

Harris County’s Single-Family New Construction Program (SFNCP) provides low-to-moderate-income (LMI) individuals and families with the opportunity to purchase affordable new homes throughout Harris County.

The destruction wrought by Hurricane Harvey underscored critical shortages in Harris County’s inventory of affordable, resilient homes. In response, Harris County has acquired and is developing communities of new homes, which offer home-buying opportunities in amenity-rich communities to qualified Harris County residents whose household income does not exceed 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) as defined by the US. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

As part of Harris County Housing & Development, the SFNCP was created to bridge the gap between a homebuyer’s mortgage lender approved loan amount and the home’s sales price.  

The SFNCP can provide up to 45% assistance, including price reduction and closing cost (which may cover mortgage rate buy downs).

Program to date, SFNCP Built Inventory has acquired seventy-one (71) newly constructed homes directly from builders. 

Acreage development has three (3) new developments in various stages of construction which will provide an additional 161 (one hundred and sixty-one) homes upon completion. Approximately 80 homes of the 161 homes will be available by late summer or early fall of 2025 for eligible program applicants. The remainder of the homes will be marketed to eligible applicants over the next couple of years.


Community Market Location Number of Homes Community LMI Bedrooms Baths SF Available for Sale Status
Orchard Place Pasadena Southeast Corner of Vista Rd and Westside Drive 54 38 3 2.5 1,496 - 1,940 Spring 2025 Home Construction
Providence Gardens Spring Eastside of Ella Boulevard, just south of FM 1960 60 57 2 - 4 2 - 2.5 1,628 - 2,209 Late Summer 2025 Home Pre-Construction
East Aldine Estates Aldine 2201 Connorvale Road 47 24 3 2 - 2.5 1,399 - 1,871 Early 2026 Infrastructure Construction

Homebuyer Process

Eligibility Overview
Homes in the SFNCP inventory are available to qualified applicants.

To be eligible to participate in the SFNCP you must be able to meet the following requirements:

Must be a Harris County Resident six months prior to applying

  • 620 credit score or higher
  • Households with incomes at or below 80% of the AMI
  • Current Texas ID/DL for any household member 18 or older
  • Must be U.S. citizen or hold an Eligible Immigrant status (permanent resident or approved asylum status only).
  • Proof of Citizenship (birth certificate or passport for applicant and co-applicant)
  • Verifiable income (last two years of tax returns)
  • Prequalification letter from a mortgage lender
  • Must attend and complete an 8-hour, HUD-certified Homebuyer Class.The certificate is good for one year after taking the class. See document in section above for our homebuyer classes partners offering classes offered year-round by our partners. (applicant and co-Applicant must each receive a certificate of completion). HUD-Certified Homebuyer Course Partners
  • Money Management Int'l- $45 Online www.moneymanagement.org 866-232-9080


FY 2024 HUD Income Limits 
Harris County Service Area

Income Limit Category 1 Person Household 2 Person Household 3 Person Household 4 Person Household 5 Person Household 6 Person Household 7 Person Household 8 Person Household
30% Income $19,900 $22,750 $25,600 $28,400 $30,700 $32,950 $35,250 $37,500
50% Income $33,150 $37,850 $42,600 $47,300 $51,100 $54,900 $58,700 $62,450
80% Income $53,000 $60,600 $68,150 $75,700 $81,800 $87,850 $93,900 $99,950
120% Income $79,450 $90,800 $102,150 $113,500 $122,600 $131,700 $140,750 $149,850

Source: U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development
Up to 80% Income Limits effective May 1, 2024
Up to 120% Income Limits effective May 1, 2024

    


Home Affordability Determination

  • Homebuyers will pay no more than 39% of their incomes toward housing costs, these include:
    • Mortgage principal and interest
    • Private mortgage insurance
    • Property taxes
    • Homeowner's insurance
    • HOA fees
  • Homebuyers will pay no more than 42% of their incomes toward housing costs and other debt, which may include:
    • Car payments
    • Revolving loans (credit card monthly payments)
    • Student loans
    • Child Support & Other Obligations
    • Other Loans

Additional notes:

  • Homebuyers must be current on child support payments
  • After closing, homebuyers must live in and maintain the home for an affordability period of 10 years following their purchase. If they move out before the affordability period is up, they will be required to payback a prorated amount of the assistance provided.
  • Homebuyers must not be in arrears on past property taxes
  • Eligible applicants will not be allowed to participate in the program if they have an existing mortgage they are unable to pay off or if they have existing liens on a property
  • If applicable, applicants must furnish evidence that property taxes are current, under an approved payment plan, or that there is an exemption under current laws

Harris County Single Family New Construction Program Communities

COMMUNITY TOTAL FUNDS SPENT SFNCP UNITS ACQUIRED SFNCP UNITS SOLD STATUS
MEMORIAL CHASE $471,878.00 2 2 SOLD OUT
DREWMARK $709,629.00 3 3 SOLD OUT
GASTON $765,019.00 3 3 SOLD OUT
TOMBALL $754,869.00 3 3 SOLD OUT
KATY CROSSING $675,833.35 3 3 SOLD OUT
WINDROW $3,791,600.16 14 14 SOLD OUT
PINE GROVE $3,559,936.40 13 13 SOLD OUT
WINDWARD $1,360,540.10 5 5 SOLD OUT
BRECKENRIDGE $4,499,161.77 17 17 SOLD OUT
AMBIENT LIVING $1,854,644.00 8 3 5 AVAILABLE
Total $18,443,110.78 71 66

*Information last updated February 14, 2025