Historical Background
The Houston City Council created the Houston Housing Authority in 1938 in response to federal legislation (U.S. Housing Act of 1937) and enabling state legislation that charged local entities with providing decent, safe and sanitary housing for low to moderate income families and individuals. While independent of Houston city government, the Houston City Council appointed the first Board of Commissioners and Executive Director that same year.
In 1939, the agency opened its first housing developments and subsequently went through an incredible early growth phase with the creation of more than 1,500 units in the 40s and 50s. The agency's public housing development slowed during the 60s, but flourished again with the creation of additional 1,500 in the 70s and 80s.
The agency's Housing Choice Voucher Program, commonly referred to as Section 8, was established in 1975. In 1995, the Housing Authority began operating its homeownership programs. Since 2000, the agency has experienced a resurgence of affordable housing development activity with the construction of about 2,000 units of quality affordable housing in recent years.
Today, the Houston Housing Authority is a service-oriented business enterprise serving more than 60,000 people throughout the city of Houston. The agency owns and operates 20 housing communities, encompassing more than 4,000 rental units and more than 200 single family homes. The Housing Authority continues to help many working families realize the dream of owning their own home through its various homeownership programs. And, the agency assists nearly 15,000 households with rental housing of their choice in the private market through our voucher program.