HOUSTON – What was once planned as a major redevelopment of Irvinton Village on Houston’s Near Northside is now shifting toward full relocation after new federal flood maps raised serious concerns about the site’s future.
Housing Alliance HTX announced this week it will seek approval from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to relocate all residents and demolish the public housing complex. The move comes after draft maps from the Federal Emergency Management Agency placed about 85% of the property in the 100-year floodplain.
The decision effectively ends redevelopment plans tied to the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative, which aimed to transform the aging complex.
Housing Alliance HTX CEO Jamie Bryant said the agency could not responsibly move forward with rebuilding on a site facing that level of flood risk.
“Our priority is the safety of Irvinton Village residents,” Bryant said. “The flood risk at this site is too serious to ignore long-term.”
Under the plan, the agency will apply through HUD’s Section 18 process, which allows for the demolition of public housing deemed no longer viable while providing protections for residents. Those protections include housing vouchers, relocation assistance, moving expenses and help securing new housing.
The approval process is expected to continue through the end of 2026. If approved, relocations would begin in early 2027 and continue into the summer, giving families with school-aged children time to finish the school year.
While the decision is rooted in flood safety concerns, some residents say they are ready to leave for other reasons as well.
During a visit by KPRC 2, visible police activity — including a helicopter and a high-speed chase — underscored ongoing safety concerns at the complex.
“There’s been a lot of shootings going on,” one resident said.
Several residents described a constant sense of unease and said they were hesitant to speak openly, agreeing to interviews only if their identities were concealed.
“I only been here like four months, and every day it’s a lot of activity — it’s never a dull moment,” another resident said.
Others said the relocation plan could provide a fresh start.
“Are you happy to be moving out of this?” KPRC 2’s Deven Clarke asked.
“Yes, sir,” the resident replied.
Housing vouchers included in the plan would allow families to choose where they relocate, along with short-term financial support for deposits and moving costs.
Housing Alliance HTX said it will continue working with residents throughout the process and keep them informed as plans move forward.
After demolition, the agency plans to work with local partners to determine future uses for the site, including possible flood mitigation projects, green space or other community-focused improvements.
Officials added that while redevelopment at Irvinton Village is no longer feasible, the broader planning work completed through the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative could still help guide future investment in the Near Northside.
For many residents, the focus now is on what comes next — and the hope that wherever they land will be safer than where they are now.