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Neighbors who’ve lived in Houston’s Fifth Ward for decades say they may be forced to move away.

KHOU-TV

Christopher Christie grew up in the Fifth Ward.

The neighborhood is being redeveloped so fast, many families say they are being priced out.

The construction sounds are strange sounds for the Fifth Ward.

This inner city neighborhood, once overlooked and underprivileged, is experiencing a Renaissance.

“For about two decades you had this intense depression and poverty. Now we’re seeing a reversal of that trend where people are taking advantage of those low property values. And the fact that we’re a stones throw from downtown,” Reginald Adams, Fifth Ward resident and Sierra Club member.

Adams welcomes developers who buy up weeded lots to build high-end townhomes.

“Part of this was an old warehouse. The rest was a vacant lot,” Adams said.

In the last year and a half, he says more than 400 new houses have been built.

They are selling, on average, for $300,000 each, to professionals like Michael Kamanda.

“The houses were up 20-percent or so between last year and this year. So I figured hey might as well get in while I still can and not wait any longer. I bought this house two or three months ago,” Kamanda, new Fifth Ward resident.

“Five years down the road I think what we’re going to be looking at is another Montrose or Kirby District area with the type of development that is going to come into this area, with all the opportunities that are available right now,” Adams said.

This infusion of interest is a little unsettling for long-time residents. They worry progress will price them out of their homes.

“In this community, the median income is about $30,000 per year for a four family household. So that excludes them completely from the development of this community. It’s saying like ‘You guys get out so you can make room for us’,” Christopher Christie, Fifth Ward resident.

Christopher Christie grew up in this wood frame house.

“This is my mother. My grandfather,” said Christie, looking at family pictures.

It’s a house his family has owned since World War II.

But as property values rise, so will taxes. Christie believes it will force low-income, long-time residents to leave.

“The people originally from this community are being displaced. They’re just being scattered. Just get in wherever you can fit in,” said Christie.

Inside the new multi-million dollar Wheatley High School, stakeholders gathered Thursday night to create a plan.

They’re looking for a way to retain old residents while welcoming new ones.

But turning conversation into action is a tricky balance.