Harris County marked a major housing milestone this month with the opening of New Hope Ennis, a senior community in East Downtown that provides high-quality homes for older adults with modest incomes. The project was funded in part by a $9 million county investment, approved through Commissioner Rodney Ellis’ leadership at Commissioners Court and across multiple committees. The ribbon cutting comes as part of a broader commitment: more than $150 million invested in affordable housing countywide—designed to create stability, reduce displacement, and give seniors the dignity of a safe home.
The Ennis community is “exclusively designed for seniors aged 55+” providing 102 affordable apartment homes and offering “a vital investment in stability, dignity, and community for Houston seniors.” Residents will have access to amenities including a courtyard, bark park, community spaces, a theater room, and supportive onsite services “that foster connection and independence.” Rising rents and limited options have “forced many older adults out of their homes,” making Ennis part of a broader effort to address Houston’s escalating senior housing crisis.
What Commissioner Ellis Is Saying: “My team is proud to celebrate the grand opening of New Hope Ennis, which will provide 102 affordable homes for seniors in East Downtown/Third Ward. New Hope Ennis is a response to the growing need for affordable housing for seniors in our region. Congratulations to New Hope and all the incredible partners that made this community-centric and affordable senior housing project possible!”
Creating more affordable housing for senior residents is part of a larger effort championed by Commissioner Ellis to secure a brighter future for Harris County residents of all ages and income levels:
- Commissioner Ellis’ Senior Enrichment Program offers exercise classes, computer classes, and day trips “to improve the quality of life and overall physical and mental wellness of seniors regardless of their financial resources, physical limitations, and status.”
- The Harris County Community Land Trust—a program that the Harris County Commissioners Court created to help lower income “residents secure affordable housing by buying up land and partnering with developers to build quality homes that will be sold to qualified buyers.” For The Houston Chronicle, Janet Miranda reports that “instead of purchasing the land and the structure, low-income residents under this program buy the home while leasing the land from the county.”