The City of Austin Housing Department has announced the groundbreaking of The Lancaster, a new $20 million, five-story wood-frame building designed to provide 60 permanent supportive housing units for survivors of violence and abuse. Located at 5115 Lancaster Court in District 4, East of I-35 near 51st Street, this development is the first of its kind in Austin.
“We are excited to see the construction of this one-of-a-kind residence. It is certainly a welcome haven for one of the city’s most vulnerable populations,” said Mandy DeMayo, Interim Director for the Housing Department. “We are extremely proud and honored to welcome a much-needed safe place where these survivors can find refuge and continue to heal.”
The Lancaster will feature 12 efficiency units (516 square feet), 32 one-bedroom units (602 square feet), and 16 two-bedroom units (822 square feet). Amenities will include community spaces such as support services staff offices, laundry facilities, a secure reception area, meeting rooms, and an indoor resident lounge. Residents will have access to supportive services including advocacy, case management, counseling, life skills training, education enhancement, and more.
The building will be close to transit lines, jobs, schools, doctors’ offices and other community resources like SAFE’s campus in Rathgeber Village, Mueller and Dell Children’s Medical Center. The Lancaster aims to serve individuals exiting homelessness with very low income who cannot afford rent. Julia Spann, CEO of SAFE stated that rent is currently covered for 30 units through project-based vouchers from the Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA), totaling over $11 million over 20 years.
“There aren’t similar resources in the community so it truly fills a gap for survivors,” said Spann. “It’s so important to create an apartment community that provides the safety a survivor of violence really needs and is specifically designed to serve folks who have experienced trauma and who have kids. Without housing, survivors are forced back into dangerous situations. Housing is violence prevention.”
Funding for The Lancaster came from multiple sources including a $7.15 million loan from the Austin Housing Finance Corp., $7.27 million in ARPA funding from Travis County, $4.27 million from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, $1 million from H-E-B and an $850,000 Affordable Housing Program grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas via Texas Capital Bank.
“This project shows great strides against homelessness are possible if local state and philanthropic partners work together,” said Conor Kenny principal at Capital A Housing.
Spann expressed gratitude towards all funding partners: “for funding the construction of this critically needed apartment community as well as the Housing Authority of City of Austin for providing critically important vouchers to cover rent for 30 units.”
About SAFE:
SAFE is an Austin-based nonprofit supporting survivors of child abuse domestic violence sexual assault and sex trafficking in Central Texas.
About Capital A Housing:
Capital A Housing specializes in affordable mixed-income projects responsive to neighborhood city concerns delivering outstanding amenities affordability services.
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