While much more affordable housing is needed so people at all income levels can find a home in Austin, there is much to celebrate in our city. That’s just what HousingWorks Austin and its supporters did at the Long Center on October 28. Dozens of people boarded a charter bus bound for South Austin.

Our Annual Leadership Tour of Affordable Homes explored new and affordable development south of the river that comes as a result of general obligation bonds, public-private partnerships and preservation of existing housing stock. The tour also visited a Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA) public housing complex, Mary Lee Foundation’s assisted living apartments near South Lamar Boulevard and the explosion of new and planned vertical mixed use complexes along South Lamar. During a stop at the Treaty Oaks apartment complex Manchaca Rd. Christa Noland, Executive Director of Green Doors hopped on board to talk about the organization’s veteran housing program. While in Westgate Grove , HousingWorks Austin board member Terry Mitchell of Momark Development discussed the affordable home ownership planned for that flowering subdivision. The tour’s last stop was at Foundation Communities‘ Homestead Oaks where Executive Director Walter Moreau outlined all the amenities that will make that affordable complex among their most innovative properties.

The tour returned to the Long Center for drinks and refreshments at a celebration of local affordable housing solutions. Our sincere thanks to everyone who made this event fun and a great success.  To view a gallery of photos from the bus tour and celebration click here.