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The purpose of the meeting was to educate interested parties on the affordable housing programs offered by the GHA. Those in attendance included Landlords, Community Leaders and GHA staff members. The following programs were discussed:

Homeownership – The GHA already has a viable homeownership program for families with good credit and down payment funds. Families have purchased at the Oaks and other area properties.

Lease to purchase –A new program that allows families with poor credit and/or lack of down payment funds to rent a property with the intent to eventually own it. Over a two year lease period, families rent while working on credit repair and accruing down payment funds. After the lease period, the family purchases the home from the owner – thus creating homeownership as well as spurring a tax base in Galveston from low income families.

Project based vouchers –An opportunity for area builders, property owners and landlords to collaborate and build larger developments. Through this program, GHA ensures that at least 25% of units will have funding attached to them through project based vouchers. This ensures a revenue stream and encourages developers to build while serving GHA participants and the community at large through affordable rentals.

Affordable housing is a critical piece of Galveston’s recovery. Equally important is the need to ensure that the island is a welcoming place that offers quality livable space for the entire community. For over fifty years the GHA has been committed to providing Galveston residents with an adequate supply of professionally managed affordable housing. Today, the GHA is working to create quality living environments for its residents while building communities that will be good neighbors to the business and private homes that surround them.