In response to Houston's housing affordability challenges, a new affordable housing development is set to begin. A partnership between Stewardship Development and the Harris County Houston Finance Corp will bring Saddle Creek Village to 15960 Kuykendahl in Spring. The groundbreaking ceremony, scheduled for today, according to Houston Chronicle.

The $23.6 million project, funded in part by Harris County ARPA funds and low-income housing tax credits, is expected to open in 2025. The development will include 72 units, aimed at providing affordable housing for essential workers such as teacher aides and entry-level firefighters. "It’s going to address the extreme housing crisis that we have in Harris County,” Rene Martinez, executive director with the Harris County Houston Finance Corp., told Houston Chronicle, adding that eligible community members could, "certainly look at this as a place to call home."

An analysis from the Kinder Institute highlights the growing housing challenges in Houston, with median home prices reaching $335,000 in the city and $315,000 in Harris County in 2023. Since 2018, the homeownership gap in Houston has widened by more than 50%, affecting many prospective homeowners. As affordability decreases, the Houston area has become the second-highest in the nation, following Las Vegas, for the shortage of housing available to extremely low-income households, as per Click2Houston.

Saddle Creek Village, an affordable housing complex, will feature energy-efficient appliances, secure entry, a playground, dog parks, a community clubhouse, and an after-school learning center, aiming to support a sense of community for its residents. The project is part of a wider trend in Harris County, where suburban homeownership rates have increased, along with a rise in Hispanic and Black homeowners. However, some neighborhoods in the county are also experiencing signs of gentrification, Houston Chronicle reported.