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Magnolia Estates is about four miles east of the North Loop just off Wallisville Road. It’s surrounded by tall pine trees and is the first-single family affordable housing community designed for seniors 55 and older.
“We have 160 units here; each unit is equipped for the special needs of seniors.”
Casey Wallace is the Chairman of the Harris County Housing Authority. He says the public private partnership that built Magnolia Estates offers housing at below markets rates for those who qualify, but does not skimp on amenities. There’s a long list of them.
“Including having internet access, having a pool, having exercise equipment, having an office, having a salon, a park for recreation, which even has a putt-putt golf course on it.”
About that park….
“It’s nice, it’s really, really nice.”
Alma and George Arceneaux like to spend nice afternoons in the park’s gazebo. The homes designed for seniors turned out to be an added benefit for them when shortly after moving in George lost both legs in an accident.
“The apartment is set up to accommodate wheelchairs. They’ve made it very accessible for us.”
Casey Wallace says the need for affordable housing in Harris County is huge.
“We have not been open here for even six full months and yet all we have is 14 units left to rent and we have applications on all 14 of those.”
Wallace says the next two affordable housing communities will be in west and northeast Harris County.