WALIPP SCOTT STREET LOFTS

 

In Houston’s historic Third Ward—where faith, resilience, and progress have always walked hand in hand—a powerful new chapter is taking shape. The William A. Lawson Institute for Peace and Prosperity (WALIPP) has officially broken ground on a $29.3 million senior housing expansion, a project that is as much about dignity and stability as it is about honoring one of Houston’s most revered civil rights leaders, Rev. William A. Lawson.

The expansion adds 102 new affordable, one-bedroom apartments for low-income seniors 55 and older, growing WALIPP’s senior housing footprint from 50 residences to a vibrant, purpose-driven community rooted in service. Rising across Scott Street and Grantwood Street, the approximately 90,000-square-foot development brings new life—and new hope—to the heart of the Third Ward.

This milestone project stands as a living tribute to Rev. Lawson, the founding pastor of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, whose leadership helped shape Houston’s civil rights movement and desegregation efforts. Though Rev. Lawson passed away in May 2024 at the age of 95, his vision continues to guide the work unfolding today—brick by brick, neighbor by neighbor.

“These buildings represent more than housing,” said Cheryl Lawson, executive director of WALIPP and daughter of the late Rev. Lawson. “They represent my father’s lifelong belief that communities thrive when we come together to serve one another—especially our seniors.”

Designed with comfort, independence, and community in mind, each apartment will feature central HVAC, a full kitchen, and modern appliances, including in-unit washers and dryers—details that reflect WALIPP’s commitment to dignified living. Residents will also enjoy thoughtfully planned amenities such as furnished community rooms, a fitness center, business and computer center, activity spaces, and welcoming green areas that encourage connection and well-being.

The project is the result of a collaborative effort that mirrors Rev. Lawson’s inclusive spirit. Support includes a $750,000 Affordable Housing Program grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, provided through Frost Bank, along with a key land grant from the Midtown Redevelopment Authority. Development partners Volunteers of America National Services are working alongside WALIPP to bring the vision to life, with architectural design by Hatch + Ulland Owen Architects and construction led by NEI General Contracting Inc.

Founded in 1996 to honor Rev. Lawson’s 50 years in ministry, WALIPP has long been a cornerstone of the Third Ward, providing wraparound resources that include The Lawson Academy, legal aid services, and affordable senior housing. Its original senior residences, completed in 2004, laid the groundwork for what has now become a bold expansion rooted in compassion and continuity.

For Houston—and especially for the Third Ward—this development is a reminder that progress doesn’t have to erase history to move forward. Instead, it can elevate it. As cranes rise and walls take shape, so too does a promise: that Houston’s seniors will age with dignity, community, and the enduring legacy of a man who believed deeply in justice, faith, and opportunity for all.

In the Third Ward, Rev. William A. Lawson’s legacy isn’t just remembered—it’s being lived.