Located at 11704 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, Laurel Creek has 88 family apartments—the bulk of which are two- and three-bedroom supportive housing units for families with children—Foundation Communities Executive Director Walter Moreau said. Additionally, 18 of the apartments are dedicated to families transitioning out of homelessness.
“Today we are celebrating the formal ribbon cutting of the property, but the real celebration here has happened when we hand over the keys to families, and they are able to move into their new home,” Moreau said.
In addition to the apartment units, the complex includes a community center, a playground and an outdoor sports court. Among the on-site services at Laurel Creek are a learning center, a preschool, a food pantry, case management services, and health and finance educational programming.
“For us, it’s not just about housing, it’s also the services that make a real difference,” Moreau said.
Evelyn Chase, a resident at Laurel Creek, spoke about the positive effects moving into the community in December has had on her life and the lives of her three children.
“So many doors have been closed in our faces. Laurel Creek opened their doors, and they opened their arms and they welcomed us,” Chase said. “I can lock our door and say, ‘Girls, son, we are home, and we’re all safe.’ Foundation Communities gave us that.”
Moreau recognized the nonprofit’s financial and community partners, including the city of Austin, the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, Bank of America, the St. David’s Foundation and Austin FC.
During the ceremony, Austin FC owner Anthony Precourt announced a $3.5 million donation to Foundations Communities. Moreau said this donation would go toward the organization's plan to build Juniper Creek, another affordable housing complex that will be built near Laurel Creek in the coming years.
Several speakers noted the rising cost of housing in Austin as a barrier to having a place to call home and a driving factor behind the need for more affordable housing. Rent at Laurel Creek ranges from $484-$1,185, according to Foundation Communities.
“Our existential challenge right now is housing, is homelessness, is affordable housing, and there is no reason that this community can’t tackle this challenge in ways that we have tackled challenges before,” Austin Mayor Steve Adler said.
