The objective of the Displacement Prevention Navigator pilot program was to help people stay in their homes with assistance from paid Navigators, people recruited from local communities. Acting as a bridge between communities and resource providers, Navigators helped renters and homeowners learn about and access housing resources from the City and other organizations.
The pilot concluded on Sunday, June 23, 2024. We are thankful for the work, continued care, and compassion that the Displacement Prevention Navigators put into this pilot. Because of their commitment, more than 300 households were supported during the period of the pilot. Follow this link to an executive summary describing the impact of the program, which includes an evaluation of the pilot developed by Huston-Tillotson University.
We anticipate the program to be fully operating by the end of 2025.
If you are currently in need of assistance, please contact the United Way helpline at (877) 541-7905, 2-1-1 or 3-1-1, to receive information on available resources.
Call 512-974-3100 OR email hpdcs@austintexas.gov with questions. The City receives and accepts Video Relay Service (VRS) calls from people who are Deaf or hard of hearing.
Continue reading to learn more about the development of the Displacement Prevention Navigator pilot program!
- Program History
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Why was this program created?
Austin’s low-income residents are under tremendous displacement pressure. Local median income has risen with an influx of more affluent residents and tech jobs, even as housing production has lagged and property values have risen. Home prices, rents, and property taxes have quickly become less affordable to low- and moderate-income households. Between 2021 and 2022, rents rose by 35%, while the median home price jumped nearly 22%. More than a third of local households are cost-burdened. For people already more likely to be vulnerable to displacement—renters, seniors, people with disabilities, and communities of color—rising housing costs pose big challenges.
With limited resources available, it can be difficult to know where to begin to look for help, and going through multiple application processes can be overwhelming and discouraging for some residents.
Where will the pilot program happen?
The one-year pilot program will focus on two neighborhoods at high risk of displacement: Colony Park and Dove Springs. Compared to Austin as a whole, the pilot neighborhoods have higher shares of both cost-burdened residents and residents who have lived in their homes for more than 20 years. Important infrastructure investments and redevelopment initiatives are anticipated in these areas, including Project Connect. While such investments can bring great benefits, they can also potentially impact displacement as property values in nearby neighborhoods rise.
Are you a resident of Colony Park or Dove Springs? Sign up here to get updates when Navigators begin outreach and assistance in your neighborhood in fall 2023.
Who are the Navigators?
Navigators are community members who are connected to a variety of local groups and communities, and who will take proactive steps to prevent displacement.
More than 200 Navigator applications were reviewed by City staff and community representatives recommended by District 1 and 2 Council offices. Selected applicants were interviewed by a small panel of City staff and community representatives. Thirteen people were selected for the pilot cohort of Navigators.
What will Navigators do?
First, Navigators will be trained about local housing resources and tools for effectively connecting community members with those resources. Training will happen June through September 2023 and involve approximately 6 hours per week for workshops and preparation.
Then Navigators will reach out to community members in the pilot neighborhoods to make them aware of the program and provide direct assistance. Navigators may work one-on-one or lead small-group workshops. Outreach and assistance will happen October 2023 through May 2024 and involve 10-15 hours per week.
Potential Navigator services include:
- Basic explanations of available resources
- Identification and prioritization of resources to apply for
- Assistance signing up for email addresses and completing other straightforward tasks required for application submission
- Helping households fill out applications
- Supporting households in tracking submitted applications
How long will the pilot program last?
The pilot program will run for one year, from June 2023 until May 2024.