Magnolia’s Marble Creek Habitat Community Coming to Life; Conroe Site Being Built Out

It was chilly and windy this past Wednesday, but the atmosphere at Montgomery County’s newest Habitat site was filled with warmth and hope for the future. Something special is happening in Magnolia, and it’s going to help dozens and dozens of families for years to come. It’s been in the works for years now, but thanks to The Chimenti Family and Habitat for Humanity Montgomery County, Texas; an idea that came about from a lost marble found in a creek on the land years ago has taken root, and it’s growing. Marble Creek, Habitat MCTX’s newest workforce housing development project located just southwest of Magnolia is coming to life. In the Marble Creek Community Foundation Ceremony for Habitat for Humanity Montgomery County, held on December 3rd, Capital Campaign Donors, The Chimenti Family, and Marble Creek Committees, came together to celebrate the birth of a new community that will mix new homes and their owners with the nature of parks, trails, and natural areas that will have residents pinching themselves. The first four homes of the plotted 200 on 81 acres will be built in the spring, with many more in planning stages to be built out later in the coming years; and now with the land having been donated, cleared, neighborhood infrastructure and drainage concerns installed, it was time to break ground. Habitat MCTX’s goal is simple: help those who want to help themselves as potential homebuyers who have a difficult time finding a starter home. At the Marble Creek site, motivated future homebuyers who complete the Habitat program, involving vettings, classes, and 350 hours of sweat equity, they become candidates for home ownership as when they complete the requirements.

Habitat MCTX puts homeownership in the hands of families who would normally be priced out of the traditional housing market. The organization solely depends on generous donations from the community, and so far has raised well-over $10 million for the initial land development that has been achieved allowing for the initial construction of homes on the acreage to begin in a matter of months. Habitat Board President Michael Bradbury in a small offshoot to Marble Creek’s main boulevard, welcomed all who attended, and lightheartedly asked if anyone could ‘turn off the wind.’ Michael praised the Board of Directors, Advisory Council, Key Stakeholders, and Staff, who have played their parts to getting the site ready for the building of the homes that will be the hallmark of the new community.

“When I first saw the project, it felt like an ambitious adventure, and now we are getting ready to bring in all these families,” said Michael Bradbury. “Marble Creek will be a place where families thrive, where neighbors support one another, and together we get to build a strong, vibrant community.”

Eric Armstrong, Deputy Director of Habitat Montgomery County, gave an example of a hardworking single mother and dedicated special needs teacher at Magnolia ISD, Elizabeth, will be one of the first Marble Creek homeowners. Armstrong held her journey as one that reflects the heart and spirit of what the community will build together. He described the struggles that teachers, especially sole parents have to deal with, especially when it comes to dealing with homeownership. Elizabeth shares a one-bedroom apartment with her son, and works hard to make it stable and loving. She learned of the Habitat homeownership program, and found encouragement in the education, and sense of community she had been missing at her apartment complex. The Habitat program gives Elizabeth valuable support and practical tools she will use as she works today for her new home at Marble Creek.

LtoR: Habitat for Humanity MCTX’s Grace LeMay and Rhonda Darby pose in front of one of the last homes to be built at the Cedar Creek neighborhood in Conroe

“Owning my home means stability. It means my son will finally have his own room and a place to just be himself,” said Elizabeth. “It means I can breathe a little easier knowing we have a safe, permanent place to call ours. I never thought something like this could happen for someone like me.”

Armstrong thanked all the donors, volunteers, and partners who will make Marble Creek possible for residents such as Elizabeth, making it possible to open doors for families like Elizabeth’s, plus creating communities filled with hope.

Executive Director of Habitat Montgomery County, Vicki Johnson, already moved by Elizabeth’s story, was in tears after learning that just the night before that an anonymous donor had made a gift of a half-million dollars to the construction of the Marble Creek Pavilion, one of the amenities that will be located on the 81 acres. Ms. Johnson noted that the donor will give $100,000 dollars for five years, and each allotment be offered as a match opportunity to the community.

“I’ve been in tears all morning,” said Johnson. “For the prayer and gratitude for the generosity of the community and the generosity of people who believe that everyone should have a safe, decent place to call home.”

Johnson also announced the Building Hope Gala will be held on April 25th, with the 2026 theme being ‘Casa de Corazon,’ or House of Hearts, with the 2026 Gala Honorees being the Marble Creek Planning and Diligence Committee, of BJ Hebert, Michael Priess, and Andrew Wurdak.

Deputy Director Armstrong said that Habitat MCTX expects to construct approximately 12 homes per year at Marble Creek, indicating that it has been a project in the making for years just to get to building homes, and will continue to be built out for many years. In fact, the Cedar Creek neighborhood, right near Habitat MCTX offices in Conroe, has been building for many years, and is just reaching the end of its build out phase, fully completing the neighborhood.

For information or to donate to this fine organization: habitatmctx.org