Yesterday was a very joyous occasion as the City of Houston celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the newly built Citadel that informed the public that the City of Houston still believes in taking care of their elderly population. But even more than that, Houston also believes in taking care of its residents that may not have the economic opportunities to afford the rising cost of rent and home mortgages due to the inflation of the dollar that’s adversely impacting people not only in this city but abroad.
An A-List of who’s who in Houston turned out for this monumental event. For reference the attendees for this event included the following:
Sylvester Turner, Mayor of the City of Houston
Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, Council Member District D
Leslie Smith II, Reverend & CEO/Founder, Founder of Change Happens CDC (Community Development Corporation)
Keith Bynam Director, Houston Housing and Community Development Department
Mahesh Aiyer, Director, Citi Community Capital
John Hoffer, Vice-President, The NHP Foundation
Eric Prince, President, The NHP Foundation
Richard F. Burns, President, The NHP Foundation
This historic community project was created and developed by Houston’s very own Reverend Leslie Smith II who is the Founder of Change Happens CDC (Community Development Corporation) and NHP (National Housing Partnership) consist of 74 sustainable units. As expressed in a speech given by Reverend Leslie Smith II, he expressed how difficult it was to have to travel and live in his community and having to bear witness to dilapidated housing and vacant lots that became inhabited by drugs and various other types of vices that were socially disruptive to the community.
His feelings of dismay and his drive to be an agent of social change allowed him to reach out and form a strategic partnership with the NHP who’s mission statement is:
“[to be] a not-for-profit real estate organization dedicated to preserving and creating sustainable, service-enriched multifamily housing that is both affordable to low[to] moderate-income families and senior, and [be] beneficial to their communities.”
And since both Reverend Leslie Smith II and the NHP visions and values were a direct match, it was only destined for them to come together and work on this project. During our tour with Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner to view the newly built Citadel Apartments, we found it simply outstanding what the Reverend Leslie Smith II and the NHP has brought to what is known as the 3rd ward of Houston – a gem if you will.
If you would like to apply for one of their newly built income-based apartments to see if you qualify or if you would like to simply stop in to be not only amazed but to see what they Citadel has to offer; please feel free to stop into the location at: 3331 Elgin Street, Houston Texas 77004. Or you may contact the NHP Foundation at rsvp@nhpfoundation.org; or call 202-312-2503. Or you may contact Change Happens CDC at 713-374-1239.
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