Chairman
Ricardo Rivas
“It is my honor to chair New Hope’s board as we continue to build a permanent institution—an organization that will strengthen the fabric of our city and serve Houstonians for
generations to come.”
Built for Hope
At New Hope Housing, every affordable apartment community we build is a foundation for stability, dignity, and possibility. Every brick, every beam, every front door is Built for Hope. Hope is not abstract. It’s the key that unlocks opportunity. It is a space where someone can breathe again after living with crisis and uncertainty. A home to start fresh.
Community Report 2025
001Our Impact
New Hope by the Numbers
Building Communities, Restoring Lives
In 2025, New Hope Housing added more than 500 apartment homes to our portfolio—a 34% increase in a single year. This milestone reflects the power of community collaboration. Our donors, partners, and volunteers are vital to achieving New Hope’s mission.
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Houstonians Served Over Three Decades
0
Apartment homes
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New Programs to Serve Families and Seniors
Our Work in Action
We served more than 3,000 residents in 2025—families, individuals, and seniors navigating the challenges of housing affordability and insecurity. We tailor services at each of our communities to meet unique resident needs, combining trauma-informed care and life-stabilizing support.
Who We Served
Formerly homeless/ At-risk individuals
At-risk families with children
Families and individuals with limited incomes
Seniors (55+) with limited incomes
Average Annual Household Income
Community Report 2025
002Our Communities
The Problem:
Houston is facing a shortage of over 200,000 affordable homes for low-income citizens.
As housing costs continue to rise and inflation impacts everyday essentials, too many people in our city are forced to make the impossible choice between rent and other basic necessities.
Every day, families skip meals, seniors delay medication, and more people are stretching every dollar thin to make ends meet. The need for affordable housing has never been greater.
New Hope Housing cannot solve this crisis alone. What we can do, is respond with more quality housing, stronger services, and a deep dedication to the well-being of our entire community.
Berry
Welcoming Families to the Greater Northside
Housing
135 affordable apartment homes
Serving families and individuals
8855 McGallion Rd. | Houston, TX 77022
Features
Onsite Bezos Academy
Adjacent to Kipp Dream Prep (K-12)
Close proximity to the Northline Transit Center
In May 2025, we celebrated the grand opening of Berry. In partnership with the Houston Housing Authority and Bezos Academy, we welcomed residents to their new apartment homes in the vibrant Greater Northside neighborhood. Berry offers spacious one-, two-, and three-bedroom floor plans, affordably priced and designed to help low-income families flourish.
The property also features a splash pad and playground, a beautiful outdoor courtyard with hammocks and barbecue grills, a fitness center, and flexible use community rooms. Berry is the perfect blend of education, community, and convenience.
“This community is beautiful and spacious. We just moved here, but my daughter and I come down to the playground almost every day. We're happy to be home.”
The Gray
Affordable Senior Living in the Historic Third Ward
Housing
135 affordable apartment homes serving seniors (55+)
Land donation by Midtown Redevelopment Authority through CCPPI
2604 Gray St. | Houston, TX 77003
Features
Arts & Culture Club
Music room with a generously donated grand piano
Onsite Bezos Academy
The Gray is our first community exclusively for older adults. The Gray is in partnership with the Houston Housing Authority, offering 67 project-based housing vouchers. This allows us to serve more seniors with extremely low incomes.
Located in Houston’s rapidly gentrifying Third Ward, The Gray features spacious one-and two-bedroom apartment homes. It is just minutes away from Emancipation Park and the legendary Eldorado Ballroom, once a stage for the greatest Jazz, Blues, and R&B artists of the 20th century.
“The Gray is in the District of Destination, and that’s exactly what this community represents. This isn’t just about walls and windows. It’s about giving people the foundation to build a better life.”
Ennis
Affordable Senior Living in East Downtown
Housing
102 affordable apartment homes
Serving Seniors (55+)
1887 Ennis St. | Houston, TX 77003
Features
Striking metal panels visible from I-45
Within walking distance of the METRORail line
Close proximity to the Columbia Tap Trail
Located in the vibrant East Downtown neighborhood, Ennis offers seniors—most of whom are living on a small, fixed income—a thoughtful blend of comfort, community, and convenience. Ennis features one- and two-bedroom apartment homes, a cozy theater room, and a serene outdoor courtyard with covered porches and lush greenery. Residents can enjoy easy access to transit, the Houston Medical Center, and many of our city’s most popular destinations.
Ennis celebrates the art and soul of the East End, featuring vibrant photography donated by Ken Frederick and striking metal panels along its façade. Visible from I-45, the panels are a gift from a private donor and pay homage to the iconic steel murals at New Hope’s Brays Crossing, seven minutes east on the freeway. Joined by our partners at Harris County, we celebrated Ennis’ grand opening in December 2025.
Ennis and The Gray are located directly across I-45 from one another. Together, they make a strong statement that affordable housing is a meaningful and beautiful addition to our city.
“Ennis is a promise that our seniors can age with dignity right here in the East End. This community reflects what’s possible when we invest in the needs of people over property.”
Avenue C
A New Home in Magnolia Park
Housing
102 affordable apartment homes
Serving Seniors (55+)
7520 Avenue C | Houston, TX 77012
Features
Colorful mural art reflecting the neighborhood
Across from the American Post 472 Legion Hall
Just blocks from the METRORail line
Opening in early 2026, Avenue C will bring affordable senior living to Magnolia Park, a proud East End neighborhood that has not seen new affordable housing in over thirty years. This thoughtfully designed community features spacious one- and two bedroom apartment homes, offering older adults comfort and independence. Located near a planned light rail expansion, Avenue C provides easy access to downtown, Buffalo Bend Nature Park, and the Houston Botanic Garden. It sits directly across from American Post 472 Legion Hall, a gathering place for local veterans.
Avenue C’s vibrant façade showcases a colorful mural, reflecting the pride and spirit of the community it serves.
“I grew up in Magnolia Park and I am a veteran of the American Legion Hall just around the corner. I am so excited that Avenue C reflects the spirit of the neighborhood and will serve seniors just like me.”
Community Report 2025
003Resident Services
Beyond Housing: Services That Build Stability
In 2025, we expanded our services to meet the rising needs of the families, individuals, and seniors who call our apartment communities home.
Resident Services are the heart and soul of our model and mission. Food pantries, wellness programs, case management, and early and continuing education create a safety net and a springboard toward long-term success.
But none of it sticks without housing. It is the blend of Housing + Services that yields stability and opportunity.
Community Report 2025
004Together We Build
The 2025 SEARCH Luncheon
SEARCH Homeless Services’ annual luncheon celebrated our mutual belief that affordable Housing + Services is the answer to homelessness and the foundation for change.
In 1997, SEARCH became New Hope Housing’s first services partner, offering onsite case management to the residents at our only building. Nearly three decades later, what makes this partnership so special is that it is not based on contracts or convenience, but on shared values. A shared belief in people’s potential and that everyone deserves a safe, stable, and beautiful place to live.
“Our teams at SEARCH and New Hope have stood side- by-side solving challenges, celebrating milestones, and getting people through some incredibly hard days. This isn’t easy work, but when it’s done together, it works.”
SEARCH’s luncheon honored New Hope Housing and our President & CEO, Joy Horak-Brown. Joy is pictured with SEARCH President & CEO, Alexis Loving, and Chairman of the Board, Roger Gregory Serac.
The 2025 Albert Schweitzer Celebration of Service
Our Chairman Emeritus, Michael M. Fowler, and President and CEO, Joy Horak-Brown, were honored by the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship Houston Galveston with the 2025 Humanitarian of the Year Award.
Mack’s and Joy’s visionary leadership has strengthened Houston’s housing landscape and advanced New Hope’s mission over the 27 years they have worked together.
We are deeply grateful to the Albert Schweitzer Fellows; the next generation of health professionals whose hands-on projects help our residents build healthier lives.
Andrea Link, M.D., Executive Director of the Albert Schweitzer Houston-Galveston Fellowship, pictured with Briana Pottinger of the McGovern Medical School at UTHealth.
The Inaugural From Hope to Home Gala
We hosted New Hope’s inaugural From Hope to Home Gala, a night of celebration and impact. The event honored Founding President & CEO, Joy Horak-Brown, whose legacy is quite literally built into the fabric of our city.
Hundreds of community leaders, partners, and friends attended, many of whom have championed New Hope’s mission since our tiny beginnings—from 40 studio efficiency apartments created with the support of Christ Church Cathedral-Episcopal, to 2,115 apartment homes across the city.
The gala marked a defining moment united around one powerful belief: that every person deserves affordable housing designed with beauty, built with care, and rooted in dignity.
NHH Founding President & CEO Joy Horak-Brown, and Chairmen Emeriti Mack Fowler (left) and Sanford Criner (right).
Janet F. Clark, 2025 Gala Chair.
A Landmark Year
In May 2025, we celebrated the grand opening of Berry, welcoming families and individuals to their new home in Houston’s vibrant Greater Northside neighborhood.
In September 2025, we celebrated the grand opening of The Gray in the historic Third Ward, New Hope's first community for seniors (55+).
In September 2025, we opened the Barbara Bush Family Library at Avenue J. It is New Hope's third library in partnership with the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation's Young Professionals Group.
In December 2025, we celebrated the grand opening of Ennis, affordable senior living in East Downtown, our third community to open in a single year.
Ways to Give
Every gift, no matter the size, plays a vital role in advancing our mission. The beautiful buildings, life-changing services, essential resources, and the hope we provide are all made possible because of YOU.
Vice Chair
Andrea Link, M.D.
“I can’t imagine coming home to no food. I’m so proud of New Hope’s remarkable staff, working every day to assure that no one living in a New Hope community has an empty pantry.”
Finance Committee Chair
Janice Walker
“Helping to oversee New Hope’s financial health means a lot to me. I know that the hours I spend are an investment in the lives of residents—the people living
in our buildings today and the people who will live there through the years.”
Philanthropy Committee Chair
Carleton Riser
"It’s incredibly rewarding to support an organization that turns generosity into lasting impact. New Hope Housing’s award-winning communities are lifelines that strengthen our city and create stability for the people who call them home."
Chairman Emeritus
Mack Fowler
“For the past 27 years, I’ve helped New Hope Housing navigate change, growing from a start up to an organization with solid footings. We don’t build one unit of housing that I wouldn’t live in with pride.”
Chairman Emeritus
Ken Valach
“Affordable housing is a basic need and a necessary part of a strong city. That’s why New Hope is important to me and why I invest my time and financial resources to help our apartment communities remain successful.”
Financial Performance
Program Support
Total Operating Support
Apartment Rentals
Contributions and Grants
Earned Fees
We leverage an additional ~$20 MM through collaborative partners, who bring services funding to our resident programs.
Program Expenses
Total Operating Expenses
Housing
Resident Services Program
Project Development
Administration
Surplus cash flow has been placed into a board-designated Strategic Reserve for capital projects and capacity building initiatives. Audited financial data as of December 31, 2024