Our recent Developers Networking Reception brought together a strong crowd of developers, faith leaders, public partners, and community stakeholders, all exploring one central question: How do we unlock land and legacy in Hiram Clarke and the Fort Bend Houston communities in a way that builds real, lasting growth?
The energy in the room was electric. Before the program even began, attendees were already leaning into conversations about partnership opportunities. Developers introduced themselves directly to faith leaders. Public partners discussed incentive alignment. Cards were exchanged. Follow-up meetings were set.
Pastor Remus Wright of Fountain of Praise Church shared brief remarks on the role of faith institutions in shaping community development. While, Houston Mayor Pro Tem Martha Castex-Tatum reinforced the importance of public-private collaboration to advance equitable growth in Southwest Houston.
The evening was led by Christa Stoneham, President and CEO of the Houston Land Bank, who both moderated the panel and shared a brief presentation on the Land Bank’s work. As the leader of the largest land bank in the country, Christa spoke about transforming vacant and tax-delinquent properties into affordable housing and productive community assets. Her experience navigating complex public-private partnerships and brownfield redevelopment made her the perfect guide for a discussion centered on faith institutions and long-term community impact.
That foundation set the stage for a powerful dialogue on faith-based development in Southwest Houston. Panelists included Deborah Anderson Barnes of Pyramid Community Development Corporation; Ronald Jackson, Assistant Pastor at New Faith Church and a seasoned development professional; and Irvin A. Sanchez, Assistant Pastor at Nueva Jerusalen Church and a native of the Five Corners area. Together, they brought decades of leadership experience, a faith-based lens, and deep local connection.
The discussion moved beyond theory and into practical realities. Panelists explored what “faith-driven” development truly means. There was thoughtful conversation around church-owned land serving as anchors capable of driving corridor-wide transformation when aligned with public tools like TIRZ investments and Redevelopment Authority initiatives.
A key takeaway from the evening was this: church-owned land in Southwest Houston represents far more than available acreage. When paired with thoughtful developers and aligned public incentives, they have the potential to support housing, economic opportunity, and corridor-scale revitalization in ways that reflect the identity of Hiram Clarke and Fort Bend Houston communities.
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