Hello from the City of Austin Housing Department! 

We are bringing back our newsletter with monthly updates for you. It is our goal to highlight the programs and services that are available to residents, uplift the work of our community partners, and share our work and collaborations with the Austinites. 

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. You can stay up to date on the services our department provides on our website: www.AustinTexas.gov/Housing   

$3.6 million Rental Assistance Available through the City's "I Belong in Austin" Program

Residents can check eligibility and apply at www.austintexas.gov/rent

We are happy to announce the reopening of the I Belong In Austin (IBIA) rental assistance program. The application portal for the program opened to the public on Sunday, December 1 at 8 a.m through Saturday, December 7 at 5 p.m. The program will be administered by El Buen Samaritano, which will prioritize applicants 50% or below AMI and provide financial assistance with rent, moving, storage, and relocation costs for tenants at risk of eviction.

Residents are encouraged to apply for assistance at www.AustinTexas.gov/rent. 

The application portal will open each month while funds are available to allow for an efficient and equitable program administration. A high volume of applications is anticipated. If applicants are not selected and assistance is still needed, applicants are encouraged to reapply when the portal reopens. 

Austin allocates another $10.9 million for Project Connect Community Initiated Solutions programs

Anti-displacement funding allows existing CIS organizations to continue helping residents to build resiliency in advance of transit improvements

In collaboration with the Austin Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC), we provided additional funding for existing Project Connect Community Initiated Solutions (CIS) partners. A total of $10.9 million will be distributed over the next three years amongst the awarded organizations. The CIS partners will continue serving Austinites with the programs designed by community organizations in three main areas: tenant stabilization, expansion and preservation of home ownership, and other anti-displacement measures.

In November, the Community Initiated Solutions service providers gathered as a cohort to discuss their strategies when connecting to the community. The gathering was an opportunity for program staff to exchange ideas, share resource information and coordinate future collaboration efforts.

Residents can learn more about these services online at www.austintexas.gov/communityinnovation. 

Affordable Homeownership Opportunities

The Austin Community Land Trust (ACLT) is unique in that it separates the ownership of the house from the land. It creates affordable housing by taking the cost of land out of the purchase price of an ACLT Home. It keeps housing affordable for future buyers by controlling the resale price of ACLT Homes through a Ground Lease and resale formula. If a homeowner sells their ACLT Home, the Formula Price ensures the ACLT Home remains affordable for the next family.

Visit the ACLT website to view detailed information about the program, the application process, income eligibility requirements, required homebuyer education & counseling, and homeowner benefits. You do not need to reapply if you applied in a previous round. 

Sign up to be informed about info sessions & to learn more about the Austin Community Land Trust.

A Place to Call Home - Pecan Gardens Opens Community for Seniors Exiting Homelessness in Austin

Entrance of Pecan Gardens.

We celebrated the opening of Pecan Gardens (formerly the Candlewood Suites Hotel), a new permanent supportive housing community for seniors 55+ exiting homelessness. Located in District 6 at 10813 Pecan Park Boulevard, renovations began in May 2023 to transform the hotel into 78 furnished studio apartments. Residents have access to housing stability services, including case management, health assessments, living skills coordination, and community-building activities, as well as assistance with basic needs like food through an onsite food pantry. Tenants will not pay more than 30% of their income on rent, and all utilities are covered. Residents are also welcome to have pets.

For questions about Family Eldercare services and how to get started, please contact Family Eldercare's Intake and Referral line at 512-483-3580 or email info@familyeldercare.org.

Deeply needed permanent supportive housing, The Roz, begins construction

More supportive housing breaks ground as the city works to address affordable housing, homelessness.

We are excited to announce the financing of the latest affordable, supportive housing residence, The Roz. Once constructed, the residences will sit on 1.65 acres located at 3435 Parker Lane in District 3 on the city’s Southeast side, directly adjacent to Mabel Davis District Park and within a half mile of an Imagine Austin Center. The Roz with an anticipated opening date of mid 2026 will serve individuals experiencing chronic homelessness or who are at risk of homelessness. Its development is the result of a collaboration between SGI Ventures and the Austin Housing Finance Corporation. 

Sharing a story from Kari Davis, Housing Services Coordinator

I have the privilege of attending various community outreach events that truly enrich my understanding of the needs within our neighborhoods. Our department offers valuable grant programs ranging from $7,500 to $20,000 for: minor home repairs, accessibility improvements, and plumbing work that address critical health and safety hazards. Additionally, we provide a loan program of up to $75,000 for major system upgrades and code compliance issues. Although we don’t often complete reconstruction of homes, there are times when a home is very unsafe and uninhabitable, and it is determined that reconstruction is the best route; $350,000 is available in loans for reconstruction projects.

Engaging with community members, especially veterans and seniors, at locations like the Gus Garcia Rec Center, Austin VA Clinic, and the Turner Roberts Recreation Center allows us to gather insights and feedback that directly shape our home repair initiatives. The conversations that we have with community are not just informative, they also foster a sense of connection and community that drives our mission to improve living conditions for Austin residents. This is one of many ways that we’re helping to build community.

Visit AustinTexas.gov/HomeRepairs for more information on our Home Repair Programs.

Share this Newsletter

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.