Houston’s 800 Middle Street housing project to proceed despite concerns

Houston Housing Authority’s Plan for 800 Middle Street

HOUSTON – The Houston Housing Authority has published its plan for 800 Middle Street, a low-income complex in Second Ward near toxic landfills and a former State Superfund site.

Occupancy of the $140 million project has been stalled since November 2024 when federal agents arrived with drilling equipment and environmental specialists.

Beginning in 2023, FOX 26 reported contamination around the development, which drew criticism from community activists, state lawmakers, and then-candidate for Houston Mayor John Whitmire.

Contamination Concerns

In addition to a nearby lead smelting operation, 800 Middle St. (also known as the Pointe at Bayou Bend) is next to waste pits filled with refuse from the City of Houston’s closed Velasco Trash Incinerator plant.

Critics argue that building the project near contamination violates U.S. Housing and Urban Development guidelines.

Starting in July 2023, FOX 26 Political Reporter Greg Groogan reported that the affordable housing project faced increasing scrutiny due to its proximity to a former state superfund site and a lead processing facility.

Health Risks Highlighted

Jackie Medcalf, Director of the Texas Health and Environment Alliance, expressed concern about the project’s location. “If our government puts hundreds of families living in this area, where we know there are high levels of lead, it’s going to be on our radar as the next cancer cluster,” she said.

In August 2023, State Representative Christina Morales protested the construction, stating it is unsafe to move families into housing surrounded by contaminated land.

Morales urged the EPA and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to reassess the site before allowing families to move in.

Regulatory Actions and Violations

In September 2023, state regulators cited the Houston Housing Authority for four environmental violations, including potential contamination of Buffalo Bayou.

An investigation by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality found that contractors exposed toxic ash from the Velasco trash incinerator and failed to inform the State, allowing contaminants to flow into the bayou.

Previous tests showed the ash contained dangerous levels of Arsenic, Barium, Chromium, Lead, Mercury, and Selenium.

Visual Evidence of Contamination

By the end of September 2023, images showed contamination near the development project, including piles of dark material identified as toxic ash from the Velasco incinerator.

Drone footage indicated the ash could be as deep as 30 feet below the surface.

Laboratory analysis revealed dangerous levels of lead, mercury, arsenic, and other toxins.

New Environmental Study Ordered

By mid-October, the state of Texas ordered a new environmental study. The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs demanded an Environmental Site Assessment by independent experts.

In June 2024, neighborhood activist Alan Atkinson noted that trees had been removed, exposing ash beneath them.

Atkinson stated, “This ash could be up to 30 feet deep and directly connected to Buffalo Bayou, which is only 200 feet away.”

Project Halted and Investigations Launched

In July 2024, Houston Mayor John Whitmire issued a temporary halt on the project, emphasizing the need for safety assessments.

By August 2024, evidence emerged that the Houston Housing Authority and its developer were aware of the pollution but proceeded with construction.

Investigator Wayne Dolcefino found documents indicating that contamination remained on the property.

Legal and Ethical Concerns

Dolcefino stated, “They lied to HUD. They lied to the state. They lied to the public.”

In 2021, when applying for state-backed bonds, the Housing Authority did not disclose concerns about the site’s proximity to dumpsites.

By late October 2024, law enforcement was reported at the project site, with federal agents serving a search warrant.

Mayor’s Statement on the Project

In November 2024, Mayor John Whitmire called the project a “tragedy,” stating it should not have been built due to conflicts of interest.

“We have a $130 million investment of taxpayer money that can’t be used because of contaminated soil,” he said.