We’ve all heard the saying “There’s no place like home.” It’s especially meaningful for one couple, Robert Aleman and Katie Heuer. They both teach in East Austin, Robert at the Alternative Learning Center and Katie at Metz Elementary. Until recently, they were paying an “outrageous amount” for an apartment in south Austin and were commuting 30 minutes or more to and from work.

They wanted to buy a home in East Austin to be closer to work and closer to where Robert grew up.  This desire burned even more with the arrival of their daughter, 11-month-old Evelyn. “All of the Aleman family is in East Austin and they get together for every little thing,” said Katie. “We want to raise our daughter around her cousins and tias (aunts) and tios (uncles), great grandma, etc.”  But all they found was frustration as all the homes in East Austin that were in their budget were in “bad” areas or were “falling down.”

Then, the couple heard about Guadalupe Neighborhood Development Corporation’s Community Land Trust (CLT) program. Through the program, GNDC can rehabilitate older homes or build new homes and sell them to buyers who meet the eligibility requirement (income at or below 80% of the Austin Area MFI). GNDC is focusing its next phase of the CLT  on new construction development at Father Joe Znotas Street located at the Guadalupe Saldana Net Zero Subdivision. At this time, there are twenty-five additional lots near Robert and Katie’s home designated for affordable CLT home ownership. The buyers pay no more than 30% of their gross income toward principal, interest, taxes and fees. GNDC gives the highest priority to buyers with generational ties to the neighborhood. The mortgages are affordable for the buyers, largely because they’re leasing the land, which is typically a considerable expense when buying in East Austin.

Other CLT homes moved from Rainey Street

Last month, Robert, Katie and Evelyn moved into their new home. It’s one of four historic homes GNDC moved to the the subdivision from the Rainey Street National Register Historic District. Austin’s City Council established a Rainey Street Preservation Fund and GNDC secured $500,000 from that fund as well as a $100,000 private donation to pay for most of the relocation and rehabilitation/remodeling costs. The family’s 3 bedroom/2 bath home was originally built in 1900. It’s now completely restored with original wood floors.  One of their favorite parts is the large yard, which is getting a lot of use with frequent family visits.

Of course, another huge benefit is that Robert and Katie only have to drive two and eight minutes respectively to and from the schools where they work. They say it’s a fact that makes other teachers jealous as some of them are driving in from as far away as San Marcos and Georgetown. Katie says the CLT program is amazing. “We never thought we’d be able to afford this area and be close to family,” said Katie. “We thank GNDC for making that happen and for going out of their way to make sure we were getting the best deal.”