Community Housing Development Organization

In March of 2005, GHF became certified by the City of Galveston as a Community Housing Development Organization, or CHDO (pronounced CHoDO). This allows us to apply for federal HOME grants that can be used to purchase and rehabilitate historic homes in Galveston. The houses will be purchased, rehabilitated, and sold as affordable housing to qualified buyers. GHF has named this the Historic Neighborhood Booster Program, and sees this as a tool for showing the opportunities and historical resources in neighborhoods we have not been able to reach before.

3801 Winnie – FOR SALE

This is GHF's first development of affordable housing since becoming certified as a Community Housing Development Organization in March of 2005. The house at 3801 Winnie was built in 1882 and was just days away from being demolished to make way for a new house. GHF was able to purchase the house from the Galveston Housing Finance Corporation, developed plans, and is now supervising the renovations. When finished in the Fall of 2007, the house will be offered to qualified buyers as a 3-bedroom, 2-bath house.

The following chart shows the income limits for families eligible to purchase houses through the CHDO program. It is a comparison of the number of people in a household and the total household income (from wages, social security, child support, etc.). Financing will need to be secured by the purchaser, through a lender. GHF does not finance the purchase of any of our properties. For information, please contact Brian Davis at 409.765.7834.

3916 Ball

This is GHF’s second CHDO development, and an exciting project for the foundation. Built in 1887, it has been occupied much of its life by families who worked for the nearby railroad and port. Between about 1919 and 1926, the Catholic Diocese operated St. Peters Parochial School from the house. Plans are now being developed to remove the storefront and rear additions to the house, and turn it back into a single family home. Once completed, it will be offered for sale as affordable housing, to qualified buyers. GHF is proud to use the CHDO program as a way of showcasing and saving some of Galveston’s oldest homes while strengthening the surrounding neighborhoods.