Hospitality Apartments is an independent, all volunteer, nonprofit, tax-exempt public foundation (501(c) (3)).

We are supported by foundations, individuals, corporations, and local churches representing several denominations.

The Beginnings

In 1968, members of the Bering Drive Church of Christ in Houston, Texas, established the Human Resources Development Foundation (HRDF).

Since the beginning, HRDF recognized the need to provide housing assistance to out-of-town patients who needed to stay in the Houston area for long-term outpatient care from hospitals in the Texas Medical Center. To help meet that need, HRDF rented one unit in a four-unit army barracks building. Eventually all four units were rented. These were the very first Hospitality Apartments. They were located in the current north parking lot.

First Hospitality Apartments 1968 – 1982
First Hospitality Apartments, 1968 – 1982

Expansion

In 1983, Hospitality Apartments began to expand, and by 1995 had become a $2 million dollar, 42-unit, modern, four-building apartment complex located half a mile south of the Texas Medical Center. This was the second Hospitality Apartments.

Second Hospitality Apartments 1983 – 2007
Second Hospitality Apartments, 1983 – 2007

Relocation and Modernizing

After 39 years of effective service in the same place a half mile south of the Texas Medical Center, Hospitality Apartments was relocated. MD Anderson Cancer Center wanted to build a new four-lane extension of Bertner Avenue south that would connect its hospital buildings to a new medical research park just south of Old Spanish Trail. The new road would pass directly through the middle of the Hospitality Apartments.

MD Anderson swapped adjacent land it owned outside the roadway for HRDF property and paid HRDF $1.59 million, the appraised value of the four-building complex. HRDF then raised another $2.5 million from private sources to cover the construction of a new, expanded, more ADA-compliant, environmentally friendly apartment complex of 46 units on the new site (adjacent to the old site).

Current Hospitality Apartments 2008
Current Hospitality Apartments, 2008

Take a moment to get to know our board of directors, advisors, and church sponsors.

Board of Directors

  • Robert Paddock President
  • Mike Massey Vice President
  • Jan Johnson Treasurer
  • Jon Stevens Assistant Treasurer
  • Leslie Ohr Secretary
  • Julie Hill Volunteer & Guest Relations Coordinator
  • Steve Sandifer Facilities Coordinator
  • Harry Bristol
  • Judy Bristol
  • Marcie Evans
  • Stuart Ford
  • Ann Gearhart
  • Ann Hightower
  • Mike McEwen
  • Chrissie Prichard
  • Rod Ramsey
  • Sandra Ramsey
  • Leslie Rich
  • Paul Riddle
  • Sherry Ritcheson
  • Lynn Stevens

Advisors

  • Wynell Andrus
  • Mike Bercu
  • Carolyn Blakely
  • Pat Burgess
  • David Calkins
  • Vicki Copeland
  • Julie Giam
  • Marcia Karns
  • Terry Koonce
  • Susan Merriman
  • Pat Nichols
  • Carol Ann Paddock
  • William Penland
  • Lynn Rosas

Supporting Churches

  • Bering Drive Church of Christ
  • Bethany Christian Church
  • Chapelwood United Methodist Church
  • Christ the King Lutheran Church
  • Covenant Church
  • El Campo Mennonite Youth Group
  • Grace Presbyterian Church
  • Second Baptist Church & Cross Training Bible Study Class
  • St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church
  • St. Mark’s Episcopal Church & Women of St. Mark's
  • St. Martin’s Episcopal Church
  • Tallowood Baptist Church

A Note from Joe Hightower, President Emeritus

It is our privilege to be able to assist you and your Caregiver during this time of illness.

Our purpose is to give you a safe, comfortable, supportive environment while you are receiving treatment from one of the hospitals in the Texas Medical Center area. Being away from home, family, and friends to receive medical attention is difficult at best. Our desire is to relieve some of the stress and give you the supportive environment you need while you focus on getting better.

Since 1968 we have hosted more that 9,000 guests from all over the world. Our operations and maintenance staff are all volunteers who give their time and talent to help you get better. Our blessing is knowing that we made a difference for you when you needed it most. We hope that someday you will be in a position to be a blessing to someone else in need and will pass it on!

As your health permits, please take time to get to know some of the other Guests staying with us. You will discover that you have a lot in common. New friendships often develop through the sharing of experiences. Join us, when you can, for our special events like our church-hosted dinners or bingo nights. It will help take your mind off other things and open the doors to new friendships.

Joe W. Hightower
President Emeritus
1936-2014
Appreciation