As Williamson County’s population increases and housing costs rise, some nonprofits are offering services to assist residents struggling or unable to afford housing.
Williamson County’s 2014-18 Housing and Urban Development consolidated plan states cost burden is the most common housing problem in the county, with about 22 percent of households burdened by housing costs and about 9 percent spending more than half their income on housing. In 2015, Texas A&M University’s Real Estate Center reported the Austin metro area had the second-lowest housing affordability rating in the state.
Ginna O’Conner, executive director of The Caring Place in Georgetown, said hundreds of families utilize the nonprofit’s services—such as a food pantry and thrift store—each month and that housing costs can be a concern for many low-income residents.
“Housing costs are rising in the area as are utility costs as well. We certainly see that impacting the people that we serve,” O’Conner said. “One [emergency event] can throw a family into crisis. … The Caring Place is here to assist people who are in financial crisis and need help with basic human services or needs.”
Although there are no conventional homeless shelters in Williamson County, there are several nonprofits that supply free or discounted short-term housing for qualified individuals or assist with utility and rent payments.
Williamson-Burnet County Opportunities Inc. manages two apartment complexes with a total of about 200 units that provide low-income families and retirees an affordable housing solution, WBCO Marketing Coordinator Ann Marie Ludlow said.
Ludlow said she has seen an increasing demand for affordable housing, and both of WBCO’s apartment complexes currently have waiting lists.
“The more people who come here, the more people we need to serve,” she said. “They’re building more and more houses, but they’re not always affordable.”
1 | Habitat for Humanity, Williamson County Services: The organization provides new home construction and exterior home repairs. Since 1999, volunteers have assisted 68 area families with home construction or renovation. How to help: Volunteers assist in building homes, working in the Habitat for Humanity ReStore—a home-improvement store and donation center—and help to govern the organization. Financial contributions can also be designated for home construction. Contact: 512-863-4344
2 | STARRY Services: The organization provides foster homes, case managers and professional counselors for homeless children age 17 and younger. It serves hundreds of children in Central Texas and thousands throughout the state annually. How to help: STARRY seeks participants for volunteer opportunities, monthly open house tours and awareness efforts. Financial donations are also accepted. More information is available at www.starry.org. Contact: 512-246-4288
3 | The Caring Place Services: The Caring Place offers a thrift store and food pantry serving more than 17,000 individuals annually. It provides rent, mortgage and utility payment assistance, and case managers are available to connect individuals and families with transportation and housing services. The nonprofit serves Georgetown and rural Williamson County. How to help: Volunteers work as caseworkers, staff the boutique and help in the food pantry. Financial donations are also accepted. More information is available at www.caringplacetx.org. Contact: 512-244-2431
4 | Hope Alliance Services: The organization manages a shelter for women and children that accommodates 35 individuals. It serves about 3,400 area residents annually. How to help: Volunteer and fundraising opportunities are available, and donations of online wish list items are accepted. Contact: 512-255-1212, www.hopealliancetx.org
5 | Williamson-Burnet County Opportunities Inc. Services: Provides qualified residents with emergency rental assistance, aids in the completion of government assistance applications and refers individuals to area resources. The organization also manages two affordable housing apartment communities for fixed-income and low-income residents and provides Meals on Wheels and Head Start services. How to help: Volunteers may assist with landscaping and maintenance projects at rental properties. Financial donations are also accepted. Contact: 512-763-1400
