Travis County, Austin Habitat partnership ‘breaking cycle of generational poverty’

The single-family homes will be three- and four-bedrooms, and sold starting at $230,000 to families earning up to 80% of the annual median income for the area, or $97,800 for a family of four.

The new habitat homes will join the growing Whisper Valley community, by developer Taurus Development Group, and feature around 1,400 square feet that match the surrounding neighborhood’s design and aesthetic.

This investment provides low-income families with a place to live and an opportunity to build wealth that “break the cycle of in-generational poverty,” a county news release states.

"This partnership with the Austin Habitat for Humanity will result in life changing investments for families in the historically underserved Eastern Crescent,” Travis County Commissioner Jeff Travillion said in a statement. “Every family should have the opportunity to purchase an affordable home that can be passed on to the next generation.”

According to Anderson, the benefits of homeownership go beyond having a place to sleep. When families have a home, their children are more likely to do better, she said when the organization first announced a vision for its “transformational” affordable housing initiative back in October.

Homeownership has been proven to increase many social determinants of health, including stress levels and educational attainment, Anderson said, adding that the “American dream" of owning a home has been lost for many people throughout Central Texas.

Diving deeper

Angel Leverett, director of marketing and communications for Austin Habitat, said that over the last decade, Austin Habitat has been able to scale up affordable housing options throughout the Austin area.

Recently selected to host the next site for the international Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project, this most recent announcement will contribute to the organization’s seven-year plan to construct 75 homes a year—with 25 of the 48 lots specifically dedicated to the Carter Project, Leverett said.

The nonprofit has made numerous recent announcements that include plans for hundreds of new affordable homes and apartment units across the metro in coming years.

Can’t wait?

The agency is actively seeking potential homeowners for the Whisper Valley properties, encouraging those interested in one of the 25 homes coming next fall to reach out for further information by visiting www.austinhabitat.org/programs/apply or calling 512-472-8788.

The new homes in Whisper Valley are expected to be listed for under $260,000 through the New Home Construction Program. All prospective partner families must meet the agency's minimum qualifications to participate in this program. Requirements include:

• U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents
• A credit score of 620 or higher
• Ability to pay a mortgage
• Meet the income requirements
• Must live and work in the service area for the past six months
• Must be a first-time homebuyer

Income requirements are based on the 80% median family income defined by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. Find further income qualifications here.

In addition, the organization will be hosting a week of building in October, expecting to see an estimated 800 people per day on-site, totaling over 4,000 volunteers and 25 homes built by the end of the week.

Those wishing to sponsor can find information here, and those wishing to volunteer can find more information here.