West Houston Residents Oppose Proposed Affordable Housing Project

Neighbors cite drainage, traffic, and infrastructure concerns over 65-unit apartment complex near Highway 6 and Briar Forest.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 3:50am

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Residents in west Houston are pushing back against a proposed 65-unit affordable housing development near Highway 6 and Briar Forest Drive. Opponents have raised concerns about the project's potential impact on drainage, flooding, and emergency access, as well as increased traffic in an area they believe is already strained. The developer, DMA Development Company, has made some adjustments to address neighborhood concerns, but the local Super Neighborhood 17 has voted to oppose the project.

Why it matters

This dispute highlights the ongoing challenges of balancing the need for affordable housing with the concerns of existing residents about the impact on their community. As Houston continues to grow, these types of development proposals are likely to become more common, raising questions about how to ensure new projects are integrated responsibly.

The details

The proposed 65-unit affordable housing complex would be built on an undeveloped field near Highway 6 and Briar Forest Drive. Residents have raised concerns about the project's potential to increase stormwater runoff and overwhelm the existing drainage system. They also worry about the impact on traffic and emergency response times in an area they say is already congested. DMA Development has reduced the project to a two-story, 65-unit structure and proposed a 30-foot buffer between the apartments and neighboring single-family homes, but these changes have not fully assuaged the community's concerns.

  • The proposed affordable housing project is currently under consideration by Houston City Council.
  • The local Super Neighborhood 17 recently voted to oppose the project.

The players

DMA Development Company

The developer proposing the 65-unit affordable housing complex near Highway 6 and Briar Forest Drive.

Shyam Parikh

A resident leading the opposition to the proposed affordable housing project.

James Keyser

A resident and chemical engineer who has raised concerns about the project's potential impact on drainage and stormwater runoff.

Janine Sisak

The senior vice president and general counsel for DMA Development, who has said the company has made adjustments to address neighborhood concerns.

Super Neighborhood 17

The local community organization that has voted to oppose the proposed affordable housing project.

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What they’re saying

“If I was able to change minds, I think it's because DMA agreed to limit the development to 65 units in a two-story structure, and we offered a 30-foot boundary to address the privacy concerns of the three adjacent single-family homes.”

— Janine Sisak, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, DMA Development (khou.com)

What’s next

Houston City Council will decide whether to support DMA Development's request for state housing tax credits to finance the proposed affordable housing project. A final decision on the project is still pending.

The takeaway

This dispute highlights the ongoing challenges of balancing the need for affordable housing with the concerns of existing residents about the potential impact on their community. As Houston continues to grow, these types of development proposals are likely to become more common, raising questions about how to ensure new projects are integrated responsibly and address the concerns of all stakeholders.