Avenue Community Development Corporation

Street Address:
2505 Washington Avenue, Suite 400
Houston, TX 77007


Phone: 713-864-8099
Fax: 713-864-0027
Website: www.avenuecdc.org

Mary Lawler, Executive Director

Contact Name: Mary Lawler
Phone: 713-864-8099x227
Fax: 713-864-0027
Email: maryL@avenuecdc.org


Staff Size: Full Time: 9    Part Time: 3

Background
In 1991, residents of the Old Sixth Ward founded Avenue CDC in order to develop affordable housing and preserve the historic architecture of the National Register Historic District. Old Sixth Ward Community Development Corporation, as it was then known worked with the Greater Houston Preservation Alliance to rehabilitate two historic homes for low-income homebuyers in 1993. At the request of civic associations in the neighborhoods surrounding the old Sixth Ward, Avenue CDC's target area was expanded in 1995 to include the entire Washington Avenue community, a 2.6 square mile area directly northwest of Houston's downtown. The organization changed its name to Avenue CDC to reflect the expanded target area in 1996. In 1999, Avenue CDC again accepted an invitation to expand its boundaries. This time by the civic organizations in Near Northside, the community of 2.1 square miles directly north of downtown. Avenue CDC operates a variety of housing, economic development, and service programs designed to revitalize our community while preserving its diversity. The organization has leveraged more than $36 million of investments through the development of 80 single-family homes, 325 rental units and 78,000 square feet of commerical space. Avenue CDC also provides free homebuyer education and counseling services, as well as training and tutoring in financial literacy.

Mission
Avenue CDC revitalizes our community by developing affordable housing and economic opportunities, while preserving our area's historic, cultural, and economic diversity

Total Operating Expense (9/30/2007): $1,812,923

 Lines of Business
  • Asset and Property Management

  • Community Building and Organizing

  • Home Ownership Promotion Services

  • Real Estate Development


    • National NeighborWorks ® Programs
  • NeighborWorks Campaign for Home Ownership
  • NeighborWorks Multifamily Initiative

    • Accomplishments in FY 2008
  • Provided 599 families with pre- and post- purchase housing counseling.
  • Rehabilitated or repaired 0 rental or owner occupied units (1-4 units).
  • Assisted 61 families in purchasing a home through homeownership counseling, downpayment, closing cost or financing assistance.
  • Owned or managed 331 rental units.
  • Invested $ in the community through Avenue Community Development Corporation's revolving loan fund, which leveraged $9,098,505 from conventional lenders and other sources.
  • Total direct investment in the community is $9,098,505.

    • Additional Accomplishments
    Date Additional Accomplishment
    9/7/2004 2002 Good Brick Award from Greater Houston Preservation Alliance for the Move Home Homeownership program.
    9/7/2004 2000 Best Non-Profit by Houston Press in recognition of over 100 low-income families completing training and purchasing homes.
    9/7/2004 Avenue's Washington Courtyards Apartments was a 2000 Finalist for the Landmark Award from the Houston Business Journal and received an honorable mention from Fannie Mae's 2001-2002 Maxwell Award of Excellence and the Appraisal Institute's 2001 Award for Community Enhancement.
    9/7/2004 Art on the Avenue, a celebration of artists who live and work in Houston's Washington Avenue and Near Northside communities sponsored by Avenue CDC and serves as a major fundraiser for the organization. In 2003, over 1,200 people attended the event which raised over $60,000 for agency operations.
    9/7/2004 In the Summer of 2002 Avenue CDC negotiated with Harris County for the rights to restore and convert the historic Jefferson Davis Hospital into 34 affordable loft-style apartments serving very-low, low-and moderate-income households. Avenue CDC and Minneapolis based Artspace Projects, Inc. entered into a Partnership to develop this project. The two non-profits have raised over $1.5 million to fund the redevelopment.
    9/7/2004 In 2002, 21% of the organization's sources of funds were program/developer fee generated.
    9/7/2004 Foundations make up 45% of the funding source. Government accounts for 23%, and event income and individual donations provide 12%. Avenue is proud of the diverse funding base it has developed.
    3/18/2009 2009 Regional Energy Star Award for Excellence in Energy-Efficient Affordable Housing from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
    7/19/2006 2005 Good Brick Award the for restoration of nine historic rental units.
    7/19/2006 2006 Good Brick Award from the Greater Houston Preservation Alliance for the renovation of the Old Jefferson Davis Hospital.
    12/31/2007 In 2007 alone, Avenue CDC provided 500 families with housing education and counseling, assisted 71 families in purchasing a home, developed 10 affordable housing units, asset managed 332 affordable rental units and provided supportive services to residents of 298 apartments.

    Community Services
  • Community Building

  •  Community Outreach and Organizing

  •  Community Planning

  • Financial Planning and Assistance

  •  Down-payment Assistance

  •  Foreclosure Prevention Training

  • Green Building and Home Improvement

  •  Environmental Friendly Building Materials

  •  Home Maintenance Training

  •  Indoor Environment Quality

  •  Renewable Energy Resources

  •  Sustainable Site Planning

  •  Water Quality and Conservation

  • Housing Programs and Home Ownership Counseling

  •  Home Ownership Center

  •  Home Ownership Counseling

  •  HomeBuyers Club

  •  Rental Housing


    • Board of Directors
    NameBoard Role/TitleSectorCompany/OrganizationJob Title
    Marie ArcosBoard MemberNon-Profit InstitutionMD Anderson YMCA 
    Albert CalderonBoard MemberBusinessCiti Financial 
    Rep. Jessica FarrarBoard MemberState GovernmentTexas House of RepresentativesState Representative
    Robert FiederleinBoard TreasurerLocal Government  
    Gene GoinsBoard MemberResident  
    Denise HamiltonBoard MemberBusiness  
    Melissa HensleyBoard MemberNon-Profit InstitutionGreater Houston Partnership 
    Timothy HigleyBoard PresidentLocal GovernmentCity of Houston, Texas 
    David JonesBoard MemberBusinessSouthhampton 
    Janice MartinezBoard SecretaryResident  
    Janet MeyerBoard MemberBusinessNew Leaf Publishing 
    Mark ParthieBoard MemberResident  
    Marcia PerryBoard MemberBusiness  
    Dean RuckBoard MemberResident  
    Jeffrey G. SipesBoard MemberBusiness  
    Debbie TesarBoard MemberOther  
    Richard TorresBoard MemberFinancial InstitutionWachovia 
    Cleola WilliamsBoard Vice PresidentResident Board President

    About the NeighborWorks ® Network
    The NeighborWorks® network is a nationwide network of more than 240 community development organizations working in nearly 4358 urban, suburban and rural communities across America. These organizations engage in revitalization strategies that strengthen communities and transform lives. In the last five years alone, NeighborWorks® organizations have generated more than $8.5 billion in reinvestment and helped more than 500,000 families of modest means purchase or improve their homes or secure safe, decent rental or mutual housing.

    NeighborWorks ® America Contact Information
    District:  Rocky Mountain
    Name:  Josie Martinez-Littig
    Phone:  303-782-4805
    Toll-Free:  
    Fax:  303-782-5568
    Email:  jlittig@nw.org