Cuney Home residents meet with leaders to discuss demolition project: 'This is my neighborhood'

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Community members and elected officials met at Third Ward's Cuney Homes on Thursday evening.

The public housing complex, located on Truxillo Street right across from Texas Southern University, is the oldest of its kind in our city.

Now, officials are discussing a plan to demolish and rebuild it.

"I am not going anywhere," resident Delores Ford said. "To break it down for commonfolk- I ain't going nowhere."

But, she does support improvements to her home, and she and other residents are ready for the demolition.

Over the years, residents have complained that the complex is run down and dangerous.

"I want them to know that we are moving forward and we are expecting the plan to be submitted by September 1st," Councilmember Carolyn Evans-Shabbaz said.

Evans-Shabbaz said the 533 units, which have always been publicly funded, are going to be torn down and replaced with units that will be privately owned and managed, but still overseen by the Houston Housing Authority.

She said residents will receive vouchers based on their income to help pay rent here.

"Certainly, it will be demolished in increments, and people will be given assistance regarding their next placement, and we also want them to know they will have first priority in returning," she said.

City officials are hoping to work with residents to design the new complex.

"I get emotional because this is my neighborhood. This is my family, and to know that when you look beyond the news reels, and you start looking at the people, that's when you know the real heart and soul of Third Ward," Ford said.

For more on this story, follow Pooja Lodhia on Facebook,X and Instagram.