Franklin was taken out of his drug-addicted parents’ home at a young age due to neglect, something he struggled to understand. He became a rebellious teenager which resulted in his aunt throwing him out of her home. Homeless and afraid, Franklin reached out for help. In this Keep Austin Affordable feature, he shows how LifeWorks Austin’s education programs and his apartment in their new, affordable complex The Works at Pleasant Valley have help him get his life on the right track. The Works was partially funded by City of Austin affordable housing bonds approved in 2006.

This story shows how affordable housing can help society steer teens away from trouble and toward a productive future.