Local officials, community partners, and residents gathered today to celebrate the grand opening of Hartwood at Spring Shadows, a new $33 million affordable housing community in Houston’s Spring Branch neighborhood. The 125-unit development marks a significant milestone in addressing Harris County’s growing need for high-quality, affordable housing. 

Hartwood at Spring Shadows, located at 4014 Clarblak Lane, provides 112 affordable rental units for households earning between 30% and 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI), as well as 13 market-rate units. The property offers one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments and features resort-style amenities, including a swimming pool, outdoor grill, dog park, playground, fitness center, package lockers, multi-purpose room, business center, and conference room.

According to Rice University’s Kinder Institute My Home is Here study, Harris County needs more than 20,000 new affordable housing units per year to meet current demand. This development is one of several initiatives helping to close that gap through strong public-private partnerships.

A Partnership Built on Community Investment

Hartwood at Spring Shadows was made possible through the collaboration of Blazer Real Estate Services, Blazer Building, CVS Health®, the Harris County Housing and Community Development Department (HCD), the Harris County Housing Finance Corporation (HCHFC), Amegy Bank, the Memorial Hermann Foundation, and Boston Financial Investment Management.

The project was funded through a combination of sources, including:

• More than $17 million from CVS Health through Boston Financial Investment Management
• 9% Low-Income Housing Tax Credits from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs
• $10 million in U.S. Treasury ARPA funds from Harris County for land and construction
• Construction loans from Amegy Bank and Memorial Hermann Foundation

“Hartwood at Spring Shadows reflects our belief that everyone deserves a safe, welcoming place to call home,” said Nathan Kelley, Chief Financial Officer and Co-head of Development at Blazer Building Services. “When families have access to affordable housing, they can focus on building stability, pursuing opportunities, and putting down roots in their community. We’re proud to see this project come to life and to know it will make a real difference for Houstonians.”  

“We’re proud to see Hartwood at Spring Shadows open its doors to residents who have been waiting for a place like this,” said Rene Martinez, Executive Director of the Harris County Housing Finance Corporation. “We’re working to expand access to safe, high-quality housing for those who need it most. Harris County faces a shortage of more than 20,000 affordable homes each year, and communities like this one help close that gap and bring lasting stability to the people who live here.”

The Harris County Housing Finance Corporation owns the land and is providing a 99-year ground lease to ensure long-term affordability. The project’s architect is Houston-based Mucasey & Associates, and Blazer Building served as general contractor.

Health Meets Housing: CVS Health’s Role

CVS Health’s investment in Hartwood at Spring Shadows builds on the company’s long history of community support in Texas. To date, CVS Health has invested more than $232 million in affordable housing across the state, including more than $38.1 million in Harris County.

The company also brings its Project Health initiative to the community, offering free health screenings to residents and neighbors. To date, CVS Health has hosted 279 Project Health events across Texas, serving more than 16,000 participants and providing over 65,000 screenings statewide.

“Health and well-being begin with access to stable housing,” said Stephanie Rogers, Chief Executive Officer at Aetna Better Health of Texas, a CVS Health company. “Our investment in Hartwood at Spring Shadows is a strong example of how CVS Health is addressing the root causes of health disparities, like housing insecurity, by creating lasting, community-based solutions that support healthier futures for Houstonians.”