A historic Houston neighborhood is getting a fresh investment in homeownership.
The Houston Area Urban League, in partnership with Park Street Homes and Citizens Trust Bank, recently broke ground on Legacy Oaks at Bland Street. It’s a new development that will bring 23 single-family homes to the historic Acres Homes community, Houston’s largest unincorporated Black community.
“These 23 homes, along with the community center, will create opportunities for generational wealth while providing supportive services…”
Kevan Shelton, CEO and Co-Founder of Park Street Homes
“Legacy Oaks reminds us that freedom must be accompanied by opportunity,” said President and CEO of the Houston Area Urban League Judson W. Robinson III. “Homeownership remains one of the most effective tools for building generational wealth and strengthening communities. This development reflects our commitment to ensuring families in Acres Homes benefit from continued investment while preserving the neighborhood’s rich history and character.”
Prices start at mid-$200,000s.
Robinson added that the price range suits those making $28-$35 an hour.
“Over the course of the year, that adds up to the right number to where you can afford a home in Acres Homes,” he said. “There are lots of job opportunities, lots of entertainment, and safety. It’s a very different community than it was 20-30 years ago.”
Pointing to the issue of gentrification in Acres Homes, Robinson added that it is increasingly difficult to live near family due to rising costs. Housing initiatives like Legacy Oaks will address the issue. He urged more residents to come forward to partner with the Houston Area Urban League.
A site rooted in community giving
Legacy Oaks will rise on nearly five acres of land donated by Cameron Iron Workers and Charity Social Club, a partnership model that brings together a nonprofit and private capital.
The result, organizers say, will be affordable housing designed to expand attainable homeownership while respecting the character and history of a neighborhood that has long been central to Houston’s Black community.
They added that the endeavor offers Acres Homes residents an opportunity to stay in their communities.
Kevan Shelton, CEO and co-founder of Park Street Homes, emphasized the development’s long-term impact on future residents.
“These 23 homes, along with the community center, will create opportunities for generational wealth while providing supportive services, strengthening neighborhood connections, and helping families thrive for years to come,” Shelton said. “Legacy Oaks is more than a neighborhood—it’s an investment in opportunity, homeownership, and a stronger future for Acres Homes.”
Houston City Council Member Tarsha Jackson, who represents the area, said the single-family homes reflect a commitment to sustainability and long-term neighborhood investment.
“Legacy Oaks on Bland St. will bring 23 single-family homes that will be affordable, creating attainable homeownership opportunities while preserving the character and heritage of Acres Homes,” Jackson said.
Addressing a broader housing gap
Houston, like many major U.S. cities, continues to face a shortage of attainable housing for working families. The Legacy Oaks groundbreaking arrives as Houston confronts housing affordability issues, especially for first-time and moderate-income buyers, such as limited inventory and financial constraints.
According to a study by Rice University’s Kinder Institute of Urban Research:
- Harris County lost 19,000 owner-occupied households, 7,750 Black-homeowner households in Houston
- More than half of renters and a quarter of homeowners in Houston and Harris County are cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of their income on rent
- Despite adding 30,000+ multifamily units, affordable homeownership remains out of reach for many families
- Homeowners’ insurance premiums are increasing faster than home values
- Eviction filings remain high, with Harris County averaging one filing per 10 households
