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Land Assemblage Redevelopment Authority (LARA)

The Land Assemblage Redevelopment Authority (LARA) is a 13-member board appointed by the Mayor, City Council, Harris County and the Houston Independent School District. The LARA Authority is organized for the purpose of aiding, assisting and acting on behalf of the City in the performance of its governmental functions to promote the common good and general welfare of the City and in undertaking and completing one or more projects, as may be defined or determined by the City Council of the City.

Houston HOPE Wins Recognized For Outstanding Achievement By The U.S. Conference Of Mayors (.pdf)

In particular, such projects shall include, without limitation, the acquisition, assemblage, management, marketing, development and disposition of properties that have been acquired by taxing authorities through foreclosure of delinquent ad valorem taxes, including the redevelopment of such properties.

Solicitation of Offers for Affordable Housing Development

The Land Assemblage Redevelopment Authority ("LARA"), with the support of the City of Houston, has acquired certain tax delinquent properties to be developed as truly affordable home ownership units. LARA and the City, through the “Houston Hope” initiative, offer the Solicitation of Offers for Affordable Housing Development presented below.

The “Houston Hope” neighborhood revitalization effort will be accomplished through qualified non-profit and for-profit builders. Community Development Corporations (CDCs) may participate as builders, if qualified, or may assist LARA in support of housing development and neighborhood revitalization activities such as marketing, credit counseling, and program promotion.

Down payment assistance under the City's Homebuyer Assistance Program may be made available to qualified home buyers to bring monthly payments down to a level where many working families now renting can instead build equity in their homes.

To acquire LARA lots and participate in this program, qualified builders must complete and submit the following for consideration:

A fully signed copy of the Contract (accompanied by the proposed house plans and drawings)
Builder Qualifications Statement
Requested Parcel List for Acquisition
Builder House Construction Specifications Document
Bid Cost Performa Document Worksheet

The contract and other documents listed above are available on line (below) and can be submitted electronically.

SOLICITATION OF OFFERS

$1 Lot Program (updated 4.1.10) (.pdf)
Take Down Program (updated 4.1.10) (.pdf)

ATTACHMENTS

Attachment A - List and Map of Available Properties
- Continuing Builders:
  - Continuing builders may select a maximum of 10 properties to be included in your contract. After your selection, you must send an email to LARA@houstontx.gov to notify staff you have made your selections. If you do not have a login or password, contact Shan Gao at 713-837-7827 or via email at shan.gao@houstontx.gov.
- New Participants
  - Please see directions explained in the Solicitation of Offers listed above.
Attachment B - Instructions for Documents to be Submitted
- Instructions for Construction Specifications (.pdf)
- Instructions for Bid Cost Proforma (.pdf)
Attachment C - Documents to be Submitted:
1. Lot Acquisition Contract ... Please sign & also submit house plans and drawings under either of the two listed below:
  • $1 Lot Program Contract (.pdf) or
  • Standard Lot Takedown Contract (.pdf)
2. Builder Qualifications (.xls)
3. Construction Specifications (.xls)
4. Bid Cost Proforma (.xls)
5. To select lots, please visit the List and Map of Available Properties online at http://mycity.houstontx.gov/HoustonHope/

OTHER HELPFUL INFORMATION

Attachment D - Summary Of Homebuyer Assistance Program ("HAP") And Good Neighbor Next Door Program Guidelines for Down Payment Assistance (.pdf)
Attachment E - Bios of Local Community Development Corporations (CDCs)

Contact LARA

Contact: Stephen Tinnermon
P.O. Box 1562
Houston, TX 77251
PHONE: 713.865.4243

Contact: Chris Butler
P.O. Box 1562
Houston, TX 77251
PHONE: 713-837-7494

Board Members, Minutes, More

Current Board Members

David Collins (Chair), Antoinette Jackson (2nd Vice Chair), Reginald Adams (President), Jeremy Ratcliff (2nd Vice President), Teresa "Terry" Morales (Treasurer), Steve Hall (Secretary), Michael Harris, John W. Bowie, James Harrison III, Stephan Fairfield, Curtis Lampley, Richard Leal

Meeting Minutes

Houston Hope Boundary Maps (.pdf)

NOTE: Boundaries are subject to change without notice

Houston Hope Demographics (.pdf)

Demographics