A first-of-its-kind housing development in Corpus Christi is planned for the west side, featuring 277 double-wide manufactured houses designed to help people move out of rented apartments and into homes they can eventually own. In La Villa Hermosa, residents will pay around $1,300-$1,600 a month in a rent-to-own program that sells them the house, but not the land it sits on.
A slate of amenities will be included in the development on South Navigation Boulevard between Agnes Street and Old Brownsville Road, including a community center, recreational area, five parks, and 30 open areas.
Aimed for completion in 2021, the new development will offer affordable housing in an area that has seen little growth over the past years. Home prices are estimated at $70,000-$120,000.
Up to seven homes will be allowed per acre on the 39 acre site. Each home must have a front porch and at least three parking spaces. Streets will be made of concrete and strict property maintenance rules will be enforced.
City council approved zoning changes to make the development possible at a recent December meeting as part of an effort to bring much needed affordable housing to the area. The Coastal Bend is short in housing in general according to the Corpus Christi Regional Economic Development Corporation. A study shows the area needs to add up to 4,000 more residential units a year to meet expected growth.