Nearly nine years ago, Hurricane Harvey ripped through Southeast Texas, causing damage to thousands of homes and increasing homelessness by 15% in Houston alone, according to data from the Houston Housing Department.
Now, the Harris County Housing and Community Development Department is helping combat the issue with brand-new townhomes in Pasadena through Harvey disaster recovery funds.
They are located off Vista Road near Highway 225.
Qualifications are based on income levels, and having 80% of the median income for the area.
Dina Flores' family is one that qualifies.
"I'm a single mom so it's a blessing for me and my kids because rent is very expensive and at least this is something that will be ours one day," Flores said.
Flores said that since Hurricane Harvey, her family has had a lot of ups and downs, but she's grateful to be at this point and looking at her future home.
"We had tried to apply for a grant about a year ago, but then we ran out of time, so we weren't able to get a home, and then I was sent an email inviting us to the open house they had, and so we came, and we applied," Flores said.
Harris County Housing and Community Development leaders said the new single-family townhomes are meant to bridge the gap between government funding and the homeowner's already approved loan amount.
While the program can help with up to 45% off price and closing costs, they said the longevity is up to the future homeowner.
"This is the other end of homeownership where you do have to have a steady income, you have to have a job, you have to be able to borrow in order to pay for the mortgage, but we need all of this," executive director Thao Costis said.
Costis said that whether it's apartment units or affordable townhomes, all are necessary to help get people off the streets.
"All of these factors come together for housing to make a difference, so to keep homelessness from happening, we have to address housing at all spectrums," Costis said.
Applications for Orchard place are available on the Harris County housing website.