Competition for "Outlook on Valleyview"

San Angelo City Council learned a thing or two over the past few weeks when it comes to affordable housing. At last week's town hall meeting over the controversial low income housing apartments proposal for Southland, Councilman Rodney Fleming promised that future projects will have a well-publicized public meeting about them before council takes action. Backing up that promise, a town hall meeting will be held on March 5th, at 6 p.m. at the McNease Convention Center for discussion about another income housing project.

This time, however, the project is proposed to be built on the north side of town, far away from Southland.

“Maplewood Park” would be located at the corner North Bryant Blvd. and West 33rd St., the complex plans consist of 72 rental units for low to moderate incomes.

This project is not only competing with projects in Midland and Odessa for housing tax credits, but is also in competition with Southland's “Outlook on Valleyview” project.

This is an interesting turn of events considering that earlier on this week the city council voted to submit a letter of support via a council resolution for the Southland project managed by LDG Development for (in case you haven’t been paying attention) the project at 2900 Valleyview.  With the resolution, the developer's project presumably will be more competitive in the competition, as it boasts community support, and adds points in their favor.

The developers in all projects are competing for points in a point based award system that is ultimately awarded by the Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs Governing Board. In short, that means whoever has the most points wins.

If the council also submits a resolution of support for the northside project, it may dilute the effectiveness of 2900 Valleyview's letter of support.

For more information on Housing Tax Credits or for complaints visit www.tdhca.state.tx.us.