What is the HFC?

The Harris County Housing Finance Corporation was incorporated on June 30,1980 under the Texas Housing Finance Corporations Act and celebrates its 45th year of operation in 2025. Historically, the HCHFC has acted as a bond issuer and direct lender for single family mortgage bonds, and affordable rental housing private activity bonds, in conjunction with 4% LIHTC investments.

As of 2023, the corporation is now actively involved in the following: direct ownership through General Partnerships, land acquisition and groundleases, including both affordable rental housing and our subsidiary corporation, the Harris County Community Land Trust Management Corporation.

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Executive Director Rene Martinez speaks at the groundbreaking for EMLI at Mesa Gardens.

Palladium Houston Ella Groundbreaking

The corporation annually seeks allocations of Private Activity Bonds through the Texas Bond Review Board for single family mortgages and assigns the bonds to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs to expand first time homebuyer mortgages availability statewide and in the Harris County service area.

Harris County Community Land TrustAdditionally, HCHFC ‘s subsidiary corporation, the Harris County Community Land Trust (CLT), which ensures long-term housing affordability by acquiring and holding land in trust for a ninety-nine year period, with a first time homeowner family with an income no greater than 80% Area Median income holding a groundlease mortgage. By partnering with lenders, realtors, and builders, HCHFC provides financing opportunities for first-time homebuyers and supports homeownership within the county.

Through these initiatives, HCHFC is vital in promoting affordable housing and fostering community development in Harris County.

HCHFC is governed by a nine-member Board of Directors appointed by the Harris County Commissioners Court.

Staff Members

Rene Martinez

Executive Director

Harris County Housing Finance Corporation

Director

Housing Finance and Redevelopment Division

Housing & Community Development Department

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Carmen M. LaTorre

Program Coordinator

Housing Finance and Redevelopment Division

Housing & Community Development Department

Craig Atkins

Chief Financial Officer and Administrative Treasurer

Housing Finance and Redevelopment Division

Housing & Community Development Department

Bianca Urbina

Senior Accounting Manager

Housing Finance and Redevelopment Division

Housing & Community Development Department

Hafsa Moinuddin

Account Clerk

Harris County Housing & Community Development Department – Finance

Candace West

Assistant Director

Housing Finance and Redevelopment Division

Housing & Community Development Department

Steven Harris

Manager

Housing Finance and Redevelopment Division

Housing & Community Development Department

Sheerah Walker

Manager

Housing Finance and Redevelopment Division

Housing & Community Development Department

Rhea Swinson

Senior Project Assistant

Housing Finance and Redevelopment Division

Housing & Community Development Department

Randy Keenan

Senior Assistant County Attorney

Harris County Attorney Office

General Counsel

Harris County Housing Finance Corporation

Gina Boul

Assistant County Attorney

Harris County Attorney Office

Legal & Consulting Partners

Elizabeth Bowes

Partner

Bracewell LLP

111 Congress Avenue, Suite 2300
Austin, TX 78701
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Andy Prihoda

Partner

Bracewell LLP

111 Congress Avenue, Suite 2300
Austin, TX 78701
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Summer B. Greathouse

Partner

Bracewell LLP

300 Convent Street
San Antonio, TX 78205
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Truman Edminster III, PE

Senior Vice President

EHRA Engineering

10011 Meadowglen Lane
Houston, TX 77042
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Gary P. Machak

Managing Director

Stifel Public Finance

8115 Preston Road, Suite 650
Dallas, TX 75225
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Joshua Karar

Vice President

Stifel Public Finance

8115 Preston Road, Suite 650
Dallas, TX 75225
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Ham, Langston & Brezina, LLP CPAs and Advisors

Auditors

11550 Fuqua Street, Suite 475
Houston, TX 77034
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