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I Belong in Austin- Rent Assistance Closing Soon
Final Rental Assistance Application Portal Open March 1 at 8 a.m. through March 7 at 5 p.m.
The I Belong in Austin program provides tenant rental assistance to residents vulnerable to eviction. If you or anyone you know is struggling to pay rent or is at risk of eviction, you can check your eligibility and apply for I Belong In Austin at .
March 2026 will be the final month of rent assistance dollars, while the support through negotiated eviction settlements will continue through the end of the fiscal year. Following Austin City Council’s adoption of the Fiscal Year 2026 budget last fall which reduced overall funding from $4 million to $3 million, remaining assistance dollars will be redirected to negotiated eviction settlements delivered through the City’s legal service partners for highest impact. Concentrating funds on legal advocacy and negotiated settlements will allow the City and partners to prioritize households facing the most immediate threat of losing their homes.
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Neighbors Helping Neighbors
We are inviting community members to apply to become Navigators for its newly expanded Displacement Prevention Navigator Program. Six Navigators will be selected, hired and trained by city partner El Buen Samaritano (El Buen) to help educate and connect families residing in Dove Springs, Montopolis, Colony Park, and Project Connect Service Area to vital housing stability resources. The deadline for all Displacement Prevention Navigator applications is March 13, 2026. Former participants are welcome to apply again.
The application window for those interested in becoming a navigator will be open from March 2 to March 13. Applications should include a resume and a cover letter. Information about how to apply and a link to the application can be found at www.AustinTexas.gov/Navigators.
Navigators will:
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Organize and participate in outreach events in the priority neighborhoods of Dove Springs, Montopolis, Colony Park, and the areas along Project Connect transit lines.
A Displacement Prevention Navigator is a contracted, non-benefits position, anticipated to begin in March 2026 and continue through March 2027. They will be paid an hourly rate of $25/hour* and are anticipated to work no more than 40 hours per month. In addition, contracted Navigators will be compensated for mileage and phone stipends to support program-related outreach and communication activities.
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Share Your Needs With Us
Every year during this time, we focus on connecting with the community to learn about your needs. This needs assessment is part of our annual process to create an Action Plan, which guides how we use federal funding for housing and community development services. The input we receive also informs decisions for other funding sources, policies and programs.
While the official needs assessment for the Action Plan takes place through March and April, we listen to the needs of the community year-round. In response to community feedback, our survey now remains open throughout the year, and we invite you to visit www.SpeakUpAustin.org/MyCommunityNeeds to engage with us both now and any time in the future.
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Opportunity Mapping Update
In December we shared details about updates to our Opportunity Map, a tool that helps guide where we build affordable housing. We're excited to announce that the University of Texas was selected as the consultant research team to lead the project. They will be conducting focus groups in the coming months, which will help shape the process. Visit www.SpeakUpAustin.org/OpportunityMap, to sign up for updates and let us know you're interested in participating.
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6 Affordable Housing Proposals Receive Support from Austin City Council for Competitive LIHTC Funding Applications
We are pleased to announce that six local affordable housing developments have received resolutions of support from the Austin City Council to apply for 9% Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) from the State of Texas.
The six developments that received a resolution of support are:
- Rowen Vale (District 9)
- The Lenora (District 5)
- The Maven (District 4)
- Residences at Springdale (District 1)
- Jordan II (District 9)
- Sunflower Apartments (District 4).
Each of these future communities is in the early stages. Stay tuned as we announce progress towards groundbreakings and construction in the coming months and years.
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Austin Habitat for Humanity - City Partnership Remains Committed to Providing Affordable Housing
Austin Housing, in partnership with Austin Habitat for Humanity (Austin Habitat) and the Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA), is proud to announce the development and preservation of two additional affordable housing communities: Prospect Heights in District 1 and Persimmon Point in District 2. Together, these communities will deliver 138 homeownership units for income-qualified Austinites earning at or below 80 percent of the Median Family Income (MFI). Additionally, the Whisper Valley began construction in October 2025 during the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project. Full details on all Austin Habitat communities are available online at austinhabitat.org/homeownership.
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Juniper Creek Apartments Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony: Celebrating the Launch of More Affordable Housing
We celebrated the opening of Juniper Creek, a 110-unit affordable multifamily rental housing community for households earning 30% to 60% median family income (MFI). Located in District 7 at 11630 North Lamar Boulevard, the apartments offer one-, two-, and three-bedroom units with access to a food pantry, learning center, and on-site services for families, veterans, seniors, and people with disabilities. The development also includes units for at-risk/homeless families as part of Foundation Communities’ Children’s Home Initiative (CHI) Program. Residents interested in calling the community home can learn more at www.foundcom.org.
For anyone experiencing homelessness in the Austin/Travis County area, a Coordinated Assessment (CA) is a good first step on the path back to a place to live. The CA is a housing needs evaluation where anyone experiencing homelessness in Austin/Travis County can apply for the majority of our community’s housing programs. For an up-to-date list of agencies that offer CAs, visit www.austinecho.org/gethelp.
For questions about Juniper Creek Apartment services and how to set up a lease, please call 512-610-7392, email CHI@foundcom.org, or visit www.foundcom.org.
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Get Help at City of Austin Neighborhood Centers
The City of Austin's Neighborhood Centers help families in need with free services like food help, job search help, health screenings, bus passes, and more.
Austin Public Health’s Neighborhood Centers are located across the city and offer services to anyone in need. The centers are in North, East, and South Austin. Future food distribution event calendars will be posted on the Neighborhood Centers website.
Dove Springs Neighborhood Center -- Southeast Austin
Directions: 5811 Palo Blanco Lane, Austin, TX 78744
Phone: 512-972-6699
Rosewood-Zaragosa Neighborhood Center -- Central East Austin (Reopens 2026)
Directions: 2800 Webberville Road, Austin, TX 78702
Phone: 512-972-6740
South Austin Neighborhood Center -- South Austin (Reopens 2026)
Directions: 2508 Durwood Street, Austin, TX 78704
Phone: 512-972-6840
St. John Community Center -- Northeast Austin
Directions: 7500 Blessing Avenue, Austin, TX 78752
Phone: 512-972-5159
East Austin Neighborhood Center -- East Austin
Directions: 211 Comal Street, Austin, TX 78702
Phone: 512-972-6650
Montopolis Community Center -- Southeast Austin
Directions: 1200 Montopolis Drive, Austin, TX 78741
Phone: 512-972-6705
Blackland Neighborhood Center -- Central East Austin
Directions: 2005 Salina Street, Austin, TX 78722
Phone: 512-972-5790
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Meet us in Community
Renters Rights with BASTA
BASTA (Building And Strengthening Tenant Action), a Community Initiated Solutions grant awardee, is hosting a series of Teach-Ins on Renters’ Rights in partnership with city council members across Austin.
BASTA is a non-profit project of Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA) dedicated to helping Austin renters work together to improve the conditions of their homes and communities.
The first will be on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, from 6:00 to 7:30 pm at the George Morales Dove Springs Recreation Center and will feature Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes representing District 2. These events will educate renters on the state of tenants’ rights in Texas, rights specific to tenants living in city-funded housing, and the updated eviction process that went into effect in January.
Monitoring Your Spending with DVCC
On Saturday, March 7, the Del Valle Community Coalition will host “Monitor Your Spending with DVCC,” a personal finance budgeting workshop in partnership with Austin Housing’s Community Initiated Solutions Program from 10 am until noon at the Ruiz Branch Library. This workshop will provide you with practical strategies and insights to help you track your expenses, set realistic financial goals, and develop a sustainable budget that works for you. Join us to discover how to manage your budget efficiently and gain the confidence to make informed financial decisions.
RSVP here: https://www.atxdvcc.org/event-details-registration/financial-education-class-budgeting-3
CTX Learning Festival
Austin Housing is excited to participate in the 2026 Central Texas Learning Festival. Join us Saturday, March 14, 11am to 12:30pm, at Ruiz Library to share, connect and learn through an interactive housing workshop. Find more details and register through our Housing Engagement Hub, and make sure to check out other Learning Festival events at ctxlearningfestival.com.
Dove Springs Senior Group
On Saturday, February 21st, Austin Housing provided helpful resources and future housing updates to the Dove Springs community. Follow SpeakUpAustin.org/HousingHub for updates on Willows Crossing, Sycamores at Pleasant Valley and other developments.
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Upcoming Board and Commission Meetings
Check out these opportunities for public participation and engagement with boards and commissions related to our housing work.
Tuesday, March 10 at 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 12 at 5:00 p.m.
Monday, March 23 at 6:00 p.m.
Watch virtual or join in person at Permitting and Development Center, 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr.
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📬 You are on this newsletter list because you’ve partnered with us, reached out for resources, shared your input, or attended one of our events in the past. We’re glad to stay connected and keep you updated on opportunities, resources, and ways to get involved.
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We create & preserve housing opportunities to stabilize communities.
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