Harvey Multifamily Program
The Multifamily Program Creates high quality rental homes that Houstonians can afford in transit-oriented, resilient developments across the city. The program addresses both direct and indirect impacts of Hurricane Harvey on the area’s affordable rental housing stock through the following – development of new multifamily rental housing, renovation and preservation of existing affordable multifamily rental housing, and strategic land acquisition for multifamily development.
Upcoming Funding Opportunities
Pre-Application Conference
Wednesday, September 18, 2025 | 10 AM
Join via Microsoft Teams
https://bit.ly/CDBGMultifamilyRehabNOFA
Meeting ID: 273 847 184 476 0
Passcode: y75zB3Jn
Or call in (audio only)
+1 936-755-1521
Phone Conference ID:
835 176 921#
Notice of Funding Availability
2025 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Multifamily Rehabilitation Program
The City of Houston Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) invites developers to apply for funding to support the rehabilitation of existing multifamily properties, or the acquisition and rehabilitation of existing multifamily properties. Approximately $12,000,000 is available under this program ($10,600,000 in CDBG funds and $1,600,000 in non-federal funds) to revitalize and preserve affordable housing opportunities within Houston’s city limits. Funding will be awarded competitively based on application scoring and program priorities.
Eligible applicants must demonstrate the experience and capacity to successfully rehabilitate and operate multifamily housing that serves low- to moderate-income households. All applications will undergo review, underwriting, and scoring based on the evaluation criteria outlined in the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA).
Map of Selected Developments
The Harvey Multifamily Program issued two calls for proposals, in early 2019 and early 2020. Through these two funding rounds, a total of 31 developments were chosen. Following the success of the application process and promise of the first two rounds, the Texas General Land Office approved an additional $100 million expansion in March of 2021. With these funds a total of 15 transactions are completed, under construction or being prepared to be approved by City Council by July 1, 2022.
By combining program funding with other sources, including 4% and 9% tax credits and private financing, the Harvey Multifamily Program’s $401 million investment represents over $1.2 billion in development. The 3,594 apartments created will include communities for seniors, supportive housing options for those experiencing housing insecurity, and workforce homes for individuals and families. 80% of all apartments created will be made affordable for residents considered to be low- or moderate-income.
HCD-funded developments may have additional rent restrictions with local housing entities and/or other entities. Prospective tenants should contact the property’s management team for additional information.
You can learn more about each supported development by exploring the map below.
Funding Timeline
| June 2019 | September 2019 | January 2020 | June 2020 | March 2021 | June-July 2021 | September 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st round applications | 1st round projects announced | 2nd round applications | 2nd round applications announced | Additional $100 million added to program, additional projects announced | 3rd round applications | 3rd round projects announced |
| The 3rd round NOFA was cancelled | ||||||
will create 3,594 units by 2024
Applicants applied to this program through a series of Notices of Funding Availability (NOFAs) and application periods. Information about these NOFAs can be found on the contracting page.
Requirements
Developments must:
- Rent at least half of their units to low-income renters for at least 20 years.
- Give workers protections as laid out in the Build Houston Better Program .
- Align with the City’s Multifamily Development Principles.
- Manage Davis-Bacon, Section 3, and MWSBE requirements .
- Comply with green building standards.
The City prioritizes developments that:
- Leverage other financing sources.
- Create mixed income housing opportunities.
- Are close to public transit and highly rated schools.
- Reinvest in Complete Communities and other Community Reinvestment Areas.
- Are located in areas where real estate values are rising and where many moderate- and low-income residents need affordable options.
- Protect from future flooding and climate concerns.
For details, please see our Compliance page
Application Log & Documents
The first round of funding for multifamily development opened in February 2019 and closed April 12, 2019. Fifty-six applications were reviewed and 15 were selected for funding. The selected developments will create 1,604 apartments in Houston, the majority of which will be rented at guaranteed-affordable rates to qualified renters.
The second round of funding for multifamily development opened in January 2020 and closed in March 2020. 19 applications were initially selected for funding. Following the program’s expansion in March of 2021, an additional round of funding was made available, and additional Round 2 applications were chosen or expanded for support. In sum, the Harvey Multifamily Program will fund 38 developments and lead to the creation of over 4,600 apartments.
All NOFA documents are available on the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFAs) page.
