The New Braunfels Housing Authority, or NBHA, is working to bring more affordable housing options to the city with three new projects.
What we know
During an April 6 special New Braunfels City Council meeting, NBHA Executive Director Henry Alvarez said Villa Serena—a low-income housing development at 109 Rosa Parks Drive—is reaching “economic obsolescence.” As a result, the authority is looking at using the Rental Assistance Demonstration, or RAD, Program to help reposition 35 units on the 16-acre property and add about 360 units next to the New Braunfels Food Bank.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development oversees the RAD Program, which is a tool that places properties under a long-term rental assistance contract.
Lawrence Spradley, District 4 City Council Member and mayor pro tem, said he liked that the projects would not be the 1970s-style housing authority across the street from city hall.
“I like the direction you’re going with your vision,” Spradley said.
The authority is in predevelopment discussions and the project is likely to begin sometime in 2026 or 2027, according to the presentation.
A second project, named Lyndon Ranch Apartments, is also in the works. The Lyndon Ranch Apartments would be located on a 13-acre parcel at 1801 Loop 337. The 303-unit, 3-story housing project developed by Paravel Capital would offer a mix of market rate and affordable one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom units 80% below the average median income. Lyndon Ranch would offer an array of amenities, including a pool, fitness center, pickleball courts and private workspaces.
The third development project NBHA officials are working on is Park at Dogwood, which would be located along Old McQueeney Road. The 75-unit low-income housing project would be a public-private partnership with multifamily development group, The Park Companies. The project would be developed by Unicorp Construction, according to the April 6 presentation.
Lyndon Ranch and Park at Dogwood are anticipated to begin construction in 2026 or 2027, according to the meeting presentation.
Some background
New Braunfels City Council approved a resolution in February 2024 supporting the Park at Dogwood’s submission of an application to the 2024 Competitive Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program.
In May 2024, City Council also approved a statement of nonobjection for the Lyndon Ranch project to move forward. The project had previously been discussed as providing discounted-rent housing for teachers and low-income families in New Braunfels ISD, according to previous reporting by Community Impact. The Comal County Commissioners also passed a statement of nonobjection for the project in June 2025.
Notable quote
Alvarez said more than half of the units in the three proposed projects create affordable housing.
“The answer to the affordable housing crisis is very simple. If you don’t have food, what do you need? Food. It’s simple,” Alvarez said. “If you don’t have a place to live, what do you need? You need a place to live."
