There are things you can be doing--you must be doing--right now.
WHAT YOU CAN BE DOING RIGHT NOW
Most importantly for the moment, contact your elected representatives in Austin and ask them to communicate your strong opposition to the Gosling Oaks apartment project proposal.
The relevant officials are State Representative Debbie Riddle, and State Senator Dan Patrick.
IMPORTANT UPDATE
When contacting elected officials, be certain to include your Name, physical home address, and telephone number. Their offices need to be able to document that you are an actual constituent, so that your emails will carry more weight.
END IMPORTANT UPDATE
Do not be rude in your emails or phone calls, especially to the hard-working staff on the other end of the line/modem. They are familiar with the issue, and sympathetic to your position.
END IMPORTANT UPDATE
Do not be rude in your emails or phone calls, especially to the hard-working staff on the other end of the line/modem. They are familiar with the issue, and sympathetic to your position.
Representative Riddle, who was made aware of this project months ago, has already submitted a letter to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA), expressing her opposition.
Call and write Representative Riddle and THANK HER for her hard work and support. Let her know you will remember the strong stance she has taken in opposition come next election season. Encourage her to do everything she possibly can to kill this project.
Unfortunately, Senator Patrick's office was only recently made aware of this project, after the deadline for elected representatives to have their stance "officially" registered with TDHCA.
Nevertheless, the bureaucracy in Austin will be extremely reluctant to simply ignore Senator Patrick if he properly expresses our outrage to the relevant officials.
Senator Patrick is reportedly very open to doing so, but has asked that you contact his office so that he can DOCUMENT just how strongly his constituents feel.
Help him out; call, and write, and let him know you want this project killed.
Reason, logic, and maturity go a long way when communicating with elected officials. They didn't create this situation, they are simply trying to help their constitutes deal with it.
You will be more persuasive if you use your own words, but here are some suggested themes or messages you may want to consider including.
- You are contacting them to express your strong opposition to the proposed "Gosling Oaks" apartment complex proposal currently under review by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.
- You are concerned about the effect this low-income housing project will have on your property values, personal safety, quality of schools, local infrastructure, and general quality of life.
- You are especially outraged that your own, hard-earned tax-dollars ($2 million dollars worth!) will be used to subsidize this project.
- When you moved to this area and purchased your home, your family did so in large part to enjoy a quality of life as it existed at the time; nearby low-income housing projects weren't what you had in mind.
- You will remember their efforts (or lack thereof) come election season, and communicate your satisfaction (or dissatisfaction) to as many friends, neighbors, co-workers and co-religionists in the District as possible.
- You are certain they will do everything within their power to kill this project, and thank them for their efforts.
Again, you can attract more flies with honey than with vinegar, so when it comes to your elected officials (and their hard-working staff), please be nice.
Trust us--there will be opportunities to direct your anger and frustration at the appropriate targets in due time.
Spread the word. Time to derail this project is short, so we need to mobilize effectively NOW. Email our web-address--http://www.stopgoslingoaks.blogspot.com/--to everyone you can think of.
We need your ideas and support--contact us at stopgoslingoaks@gmail.com to voice your opinion, offer your suggestions, provide us with information, or volunteer to help the cause.
Can anyone post an example of the email they are sending? I want to do this, but would like to get some ideas. Let's stop this!
ReplyDeleteIt's sad to know I live in a neighborhood where people are so intolerant and full of prejudice towards other people, just because they have a low income. I don't know to which God you are praying, but it's definitely not mine.
ReplyDeleteDear Arrogant, Holier Than Thou Assumer of Other People's Motives---
ReplyDeleteWe are saddened to learn that there are those among us who would so quickly sling accusations of prejudice and intolerance without proof.
You might want to ask the God you are praying to if that is the appropriate way to go about advocating your position and engaging in community dialogue.
There is a legitimate discussion to be had about how a society should provide affordable housing and a better quality of life for low-income individuals and families.
We here at SGO don't believe the solution lies in a system where well-connected developers flood the legislature with millions in lobbyist dollars so they can game the bureaucracy and create a shadowy process, effectively outside of local community oversight, for the purpose of collecting corporate welfare in the form of taxpayer-subsidies for their own personal profit.
Sorry, neighbor, but that's not social justice.
Non-low-income people have rights too.
I agree with the SGO staff on this one. I have been researching this, and there appears to be a $2 million dollar payday in this for the developer. He has done several of these, and it seems to appear that he flips them quickly. I don't feel his interest is in helping anybody but himself... its business for this guy (he's not trying to help anybody)... Also, I'm not intolerant, but I am a hard worker. I would be sadened to see my property value drop, which is what happens when these types of places are built (its a fact). Also, there is no public transit in this area. Where and how would these tennants find work and get to work? For me, this is not the best location for this type of project (call me intolerant if you wish)...
ReplyDeleteHere is a requested example...
ReplyDeleteSenator Patrick,
It has come to my attention that the TDHCA is proposing a low-income housing apartment complex located across the street from the Windrose subdivision in Spring, TX. The Gosling Oaks Apartments will essentially border a neighborhood with homes in $150,000 - +$1,000,000 range. I grew up in Beaumont, TX, and witnessed first-hand what comes with low-income housing projects. I'm sure once completed, the next step will be to establish metro bus routes along the Hwy. 2920 corridor and we have all seen how that deteriorated the FM 1960 area. I considered carefully when choosing this area to raise my family and now it appears that the TDHCA plans to derail my good intentions. I am very concerned about what this complex will do to local home values and crime rates among other things. I noticed in the List of Letters Received from Elected Officials Pursuant to §49.9(i)(6) of the 2009 Qualified Allocation Plan and Rules for 2009 Competitive Housing Tax Credit Applications Report, that you had No Comment on the project. As my elected official, and one that I voted for, I respectfully ask that you oppose The Gosling Oaks Apartments project just as our state representatives have. I thank you for your time and consideration.
Thank you,
xxx
Give me a break. It is not at all about income, race or any other such thing. It is EXACTLY about knowing what is going on in your community. Yes, crime and the like will probably increase, especially in this economy. That's not prejudice, that's fact. Ask any police officer or sociologist.
ReplyDeleteThis developer does not live around here, yet he has chosen to build this large apartment complex on our doorstep. Why this particular spot? Why not a little further down 2920 toward Tomball where there is substantially more room for such a development?
There was an alleged town hall meeting on April 13, yet I can find no one who knew of it, let alone attended, nor can I find any record of minutes for that meeting. Further, regarding where these tenants will work, unless it is in the immediate vicinity they may indeed have transportation issues. I can see quite clearly the potential for a metro route out here. Is that what we want? Before you answer, take a good look at 1960. Not just the crime but also the deterioration of that whole corridor.
Finally, Rep. Riddle and Bridgestone MUD have been opposed to this project from the beginning, before we knew about it and therefore without any pressure from us. Do you think perhaps they know what they are doing?
And by the way, to "Assumer", I find it interesting that is YOU who drew the analogy to prejudice and low-income. What is the saying? May those who are without sin . . .?
I would like to know what exactly is "low-income." I'm ignorant as to the criteria on who would be considered low income and hence eligble to live in this proposed development. What's the threshold? Are we talking only people on FAFSA or Medicaid? Are we talking people who make too much money for that kind of government assistance but don't make enough to purchase a home? What's the range of rent normally paid in these places?
ReplyDeleteI don't know why I put FAFSA there - thinking of college costs I guess. I meant, Food Stamps - for which the acronym is TANF.
ReplyDeleteThanks to all of you for your time and efforts - its with leaders like you who maintain the integrity of our area! The non doers just let things happen the ones who choose to educate themselves seek and find the answers. You have done your homework and I highly recommend and hope that all people who live in our community and surrounding areas do as you suggest and stand up for our rights. I grew up in this general area my whole life. I have seen what happens to an area when low income housing comes into the community. Growing up in the 1960 area - up until about 15 - 20 years ago it was a very safe, striving, growing area! Now since the low income housing projects came into the area - and the bus lines moved in - it has become one of the highest crime rated areas in the whole Houston Metro area! Stores closed down, people moved out, home values dropped drastically, jobs lost, schools have deteriorated at an alarming rate. Schools where 80 plus % of the students went on to college now its more like 30%. Around 20% do not even graduate high school. It is so sad to me to see where I grew up, went to school, played, worked now be an area where I can not even feel safe! I do not want to go through that again! We work too hard to give our children a safe and stable community and great schools to let some developer come in and take it away from us for his own PROFIT! I will not be run out again! I pray to God for safety and well being of my family and community!
ReplyDeleteHere is another example of the type of email that can be sent to Representative Riddle's office...
ReplyDeleteDear Ms. Gallien,
I am a resident of Spring and Windrose Subdivision. I wish to convey my thanks to Rep. Riddle for formally coming out in opposition to the development of Gosling Oaks Apartments, the proposed low-income housing project intended to be built on Gosling Road at FM 2920. Residents of Windrose are rallying and researching, and we are confident we can put a stop to the development. We are contacting Sen. Patrick's offices, both locally and in Austin , and requesting he change his No Comment to Opposed. We are making contact with Jim Cain, Superintendent of Klein ISD and requesting he, too, voice his opposition to the project because of the extreme overcrowding that would result. We are also researching Mr. Kilday, the developer, and his projects so that we may determine what we might expect from such a development.
Once again, please thank Rep. Riddle for her opposition to this development. If there is anything else I can do to help put a stop to this development, please let me know.
Sincerely,
According to federal standards, low-income is defined as households making less than 60 percent of the area's median income. In the Houston area, you fall in that category if you make less than $26,820. (Source: Houston Chronicle, May 6, 2009 Sugarland Blog)
ReplyDeleteOh, and the rents will be $700-1000 for 1, 2 and 3 bedroom units.
ReplyDeleteSorry Concerned Resident, but you are being much too generous. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm looking at the developer's application right now... the average rents are estimated to be:
1 bedroom: $533
2 bedroom: $647
3 bedroom: $754
Mind you, I suspect residents will be eligible for government vouchers and other assistance to pay these rates.
20 buildings, 160 units, filled.
I stand corrected. And if memory serves, I was paying +/-$500 for a 1 bedroom apt. 15-20 years ago! That should give everyone a good idea of what we may be looking at.
ReplyDeleteThe comments on this site have led me to the following opinion, which only represents my personal feelings and beliefs:
ReplyDeleteFirst, some posters have claimed to have gathered evidence that these developers have acted in bad faith in the past. If that's the case, there are processes for dealing with that as a separate issue and they should not be in a position to accept government funds. But don't hide behind this argument that " ... we don't want these low-income apartments because these developers are crooked ..." I guarantee you that if their plan was to develop multi-million dollar townhomes on the same site, nobody would be saying a word!
Additionally, many people talk about how they don't want to see this area turn in to another 1960, with low value properties bringing down the value of their homes. I agree - I don't want that either. But does anyone truly believe stopping Gosling Oaks will change this? If you do, you're sadly mistaken. There already exist quite a few subdivisions along FM2920 which symbolize this rapid decline. (Need I remind anyone of the brutal attack which took place a few years ago in Hanover Woods?!) However, trying to get places like low-income multi-family developments stopped is like trying to hold back the tide with a broom! In other communities such as The Woodlands, the demographic makeup of the master-planned community includes housing for low-income multi-family. Instead of trying to "pitchfork and boiling oil" their problem away, they got out in front of it and made sure that even though the residents were of low-income, the integrity of the community was preserved.
And finally, there have been comments accusing the SGO staff of being racist and bigoted because of this effort. I agree that there is no evidence to support this. I would however say that there is evidence to support alarmist hate-mongering. The organizers of this site color their opinions very clearly when they chose as their avatar a baby carrying an automatic weapon - hardly the icon of reasonable discourse! Whether it was meant as some idiotic joke is beside the point. It's childish to have such an icon if you're attempting to be taken seriously as an adult!
To the May 22 poster named anonymous: When you say that 2920 is already headed the way of 1960 ( and I am not saying I disagree) and there is no way we can stop what it will eventually become (which I also tend to agree with), what personally do you plan to do? Are you thinking of moving soon? We wonder if maybe that's the way to proceed. I am so disappointed in the way this area has developed. We moved here 5 yrs ago and were attracted to Windrose specifically because it was set in an almost rural setting. Remember when you saw the pasture of cows at the TC Jester entrance? Now there's a Denny's, 20 auto parts stores, and a closed down Sizzler....ugh! Not to mention all the lower end subdivisions that have been put up. I realize we were naive but what to do now??? Is anyone considering just moving??? I know if we do it will be to an area that is already fully developed (even though I hate the aesthetics of that) but at least we'll know what surrounds us. I was naive to think they might leave at least SOME land undeveloped around here!
ReplyDeleteIf some people wish to lie down and not be a part of an action then they do not need to participate. The action of putting a low income housing project right across the street from Windrose will only lead to other actions of a declining area. Low income housing will bring on many other actions that contribute to crime. Such as bus lines, more traffic in the area - especially with the cut through of TC Jester, business will not move in. We are not the Woodlands we do not have a say in our area as they do. Here people can do whatever they want in the area and it is not zoned, regulated nor is the opionion of the people who live in the area matter. However; here if we have an opporutunity to voice our thoughts "freedom of speech" based on facts the actions must take place to stop the project.
ReplyDeleteI don't want to think moving at this time is the right answer - I feel like I would be running away. I would have liked to have seen it stay more rural in this area too - I thought I had moved out far enough but I guess not. This is why we choose to live in the suburbs and not the city. So we do not have to be "worried" about these issues we are now faced with. The Woodlands does have low income housing projects there as well - and that is why it makes sense that they have a higher crime rate than we do. There was a big report done on this not long ago on the local news. Many home invasions, robberies, bank robberies, auto theft... So what becomes far enough? Conroe? I don't want to give up yet - I like it here, I like my neighbors, I like the schools, I want to stay and try and make it work. Hopefully as a community we can do that together. It is worth a try.
ReplyDeleteIn deference to the earlier commenter offended by our original choice, profile photo has been updated.
ReplyDeleteSGO Staff regrets having given offense.
To Anonymous poster at 6:26 am: There should indeed be a process in place to prevent the developers from receiving taxpayer funds from the state to build low-income bond complexes if they are "crooked." However, these gentlemen are apparently quite well-connected and regardless of whether or not an attempt was made at accountability, unfortunately such connectedness often usurps what is right. But this isn't news to anyone.
ReplyDeleteRegarding multi-million dollar townhomes, yes I, for one, certainly would want to know about them and what the layout of this property would be. I take a genuine interest in what is going on in my community, and rather than sling arrows at others or stand by and do nothing and then complain about the results later, I choose to become involved. Call me an alarmst hate-mongerer if you wish, despite the fact you know nothing about me. But since the funding date if this project is June 15th alarmed is exactly what we should be.
Stopping Gosling Oaks may or may not delay the decline of the area. But for every attempt any developer makes to hasten it we need to make it a big enough headache that they decide it's not worth it. Our repreesntatives are against these types of projects, thankfully, because they have the same fears that we do. And their opinions carry a lot of weight with the TDHCA.
Finally, even if this project DOES go forward, we can at least meet with the developer and try to get some concessions and assurances from them.
P.S. Yes, we have considered moving and this issue has brought it to the table again. As much as I love Windrose and my neighbors, somewhere out in Magnolia perhaps, on a few acres would be just fine with me.
Wow! It's great to see so much discourse on this! Lots of really good points by everyone . . . Keep your thoughts coming!
ReplyDeleteMy husband moved here when he was a pre-schooler 35 years ago when FM 1960 truly was a farm to market road - 2 lanes and lots of pasture. Of course he and his family expected development to occur. But you can ask him and his family how they feel about this area now and, more particularly, where they think it's headed and you will get a disappointing response. The frequent tagging of buildings (Lowe's before it was even opened and the former Arby's, for starters) is an indication of what's to come for the area unless we do something. Granted, no one is suggesting we can "stop the tide with a broom," but we can certainly take measures to let others know we aren't tolerating it. Even if this group can pressure the developer to maintain the integrity of the area, that's a huge first step. And if it does get built, why not approach the management and residents and solicit their cooperation? I'm sure they don't want to live in a dumpy area either.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how much our HOA association has at stake? Their hands off approach to this makes me think some of the board members have some alternative motives?
ReplyDeleteI spoke with a Sargant and constable with Precent 4 day and both we opposed to this development. These were a unsolicited comments.
ReplyDeleteI don't know whether our board members have anything at stake or not, but I do know they place far too much emphasis on less important matters like landscaping and flowers. Trying to find white flowers specifically (Source: board meeting)?? Who the heck cares??? How about showing some interest in the important things, like how this development will impact our community? I think it's time to get some new board members . . . .
ReplyDeleteI was not aware that the Windrose board is so "flowery." LOL That is so sad. I guess that makes our HOA look great! LOL I'm sorry y'all are having that experience and hope it can be resolved soon.
ReplyDeleteTo join in the conversation - I am considering moving in about 7 years when my daughter finishes high school. I have had enough of the hour long commute to work, hour long commute to the Arts (symphony, plays, ballet, zoo, museums), and traffic jams on 2920. I prefer to be in the City of Houston with my child going to DeBakey HS and TH Rogers Middle. Both higher performing schools than any in Klein. I too was mistaken to believe that the area would stay somewhat rural. Why would I want to stay in an area that continues to get more and more crowded while at the same time allowing anyone and everyone to come and build whatever kind of neighborhood/apartment complex they want! I'd rather move my family to a nice neighborhood in a smaller home that is close to everything that is important to me. Hey, West University - I will be there in a few years!
ReplyDeleteWe also can't forget about the expansion of the "grand Parkway" - just on the other side of 2920 - now - may only be a few years away - but this along with everything else is adding to the decline of our area. The traffic, the crime, the public transportation - it's just a matter of time - we are heading down the wrong path if we don't stop this.
ReplyDelete