Austin, Texas — The Austin Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) and The City of Austin Housing and Planning Department (HPD) are pleased to announce that we are accepting applications for Project Connect Anti-Displacement Community-Initiated Solutions.

These $20 million Project Connect Anti-Displacement funds will support nonprofit organizations and partnerships dedicated to investing in programs that benefit residents who face vulnerable, chronic, or active displacement risk and live within one mile of Project Connect lines and stations.  Investments will prioritize programs that support residents and neighborhoods by avoiding evictions and foreclosures, supporting the expansion of homeownership, and creating asset-building opportunities that improve people's economic mobility.   

“Our goal is to fund ideas proposed by organizations where community members drive decision-making,” said Housing and Planning Department Director, Rosie Truelove. “We want local organizations to provide solutions to address Austin's displacement challenges. We also want the support of the community to select which proposals get funded. The city aims to provide real help, in real ways to folks who call Austin home.”  

The $20 million now available for nonprofit organizations and partnerships, will support community innovation to address key housing challenges that our city is facing. Eligible proposals include programs for households that address one or more of the funding priorities: 

• Renter/tenant stabilization
• Expansion and preservation of homeownership opportunities
• Other housing-focused, anti-displacement strategies that support economic mobility opportunities   

“Austin is known as a city of innovation. As our city experiences explosive growth, we must work intentionally to keep communities intact,” said Nefertitti Jackmon, Community Displacement Prevention Officer for the City of Austin. "To do this we must center community-driven solutions to address displacement. People nearest to the problems have relevant solutions; we must build mutual trust and respect and provide resources for the community to create these solutions. This is a new approach, and a necessary approach to build thriving communities.”

This funding is part of the larger anti-displacement strategy to invest $300 million over 13 years in conjunction with Project Connect. Earlier this year, Council approved the allocation of $65 million for years one and two. In addition to the $20 million for Community-Initiated Solutions contracts, $23 million is available for land acquisition and $21 million for land development.

Deadline to Apply: June 13, 2022 – 4 p.m.  

Applicants interested in learning more are encouraged to attend a virtual information meeting on Wednesday, April 20, 2022, at 5:30 p.m.

For more information and access to the Notice of Funding Availability and online application, visit AustinTexas.gov/CommunityInnovation.  

 
About Austin Housing Finance Corporation
The Austin Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) was created as a public, non-profit corporation and instrumentality of the City of Austin. The mission of the AHFC is to generate and implement strategic housing solutions for the benefit of low- and moderate-income residents of the City of Austin.

About Housing and Planning Department
The Housing and Planning Department provides resources related to planning, zoning, housing, and community development to enhance the quality of life of all Austinites. Equitable, efficient, and comprehensive planning with displacement prevention as a prioritized focus is the Department’s core charge in delivering housing services to the community.
 

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