The Six-Star Resident program offers affordable housing opportunities to HACA residents while they work to overcome barriers to self-sufficiency. Participants have a choice to reside at one of Austin Affordable Housing Corporation’s Apartment Communities at a reduced rental rate.

HACA implemented a smoke-free housing policy for all of its residential properties on September 1, 2015 to create a healthier, safer, and cleaner living environment for all of its residents.

Imagine a house with two, three, even four bedrooms and a yard in a neighborhood that you’re proud to call your own. The dream of home ownership can be a reality through HACA’s Down Payment Assistance Program. If you’re a resident of HACA’s public or subsidized housing or a Housing Choice Voucher participant, and you are a first time home buyer, you may qualify to receive down payment assistance.

The cost of furthering your education doesn’t have to be overwhelming. HACA has many resources available to residents who plan to attend college or a trade school. HACA offers scholarships exclusively for HACA’s public and subsidized housing residents and Housing Choice Voucher participants.

Your Resident Council needs you! Keep up to date on the latest information related to your property and share important feedback and input. Each property-based Resident Council serves as the voice of the residents at that property. Since each development has specific issues and opportunities, each needs their own representation – make sure that your needs and your neighbors are heard by attending your Resident Council meetings.

Our city’s low-income seniors and persons with disabilities deserve an accessible and supportive environment to age in place and thrive. HACA dedicates four of its 18 developments to housing seniors and individuals with disabilities, and provides wrap-around programming to support residents’ unique needs.

HACA partners with several key organizations to provide training, education and job readiness, search and placement assistance. Each program is free to residents, and many are located in property community rooms for convenient access. HACA also provides bus passes and childcare reimbursement for qualified residents, to support their pursuit of education and training.

The youth of today are tomorrow’s leaders. HACA gives kids the tools they need to stay in school and grow into successful adults. The YES Program supports activities and programs to support children academically, socially and emotionally during school hours, after school and in the summer.

The Jobs Plus ATX team consists of a collaborative group of HACA staff and partner organizations who specialize in various employment, educational, and financial literacy services. Residents receive financial incentives that make work pay by allowing their rent to be frozen during participation in the program, rather than increasing with any increasing income. Jobs Plus ATX is designed to build a culture of work and a community that empowers and celebrates the achievements of residents pursuing self sufficiency goals.

The Jobs Plus ATX team is committed to empowering residents to meet their goals by connecting them to partner organizations. These organizations will help residents with:

EMPLOYMENT SERVICES

Job readiness training

Career counseling

Job placement services

Entrepreneurial training to start a business

Support for career advancement

EDUCATIONAL SERVICES

Adult Basic Education

GED or High School diploma obtainment

Computer literacy training

Rapid workforce development curriculums

College enrollment

Scholarship and other financial aid

FINANCIAL INCENTIVES

Jobs Plus ATX also offers incentives for getting and sticking with a job. By signing up for Jobs Plus ATX, residents become eligible for Jobs Plus Earned Income Disregard (JPEID). When a resident is on JPEID, 0 percent of their wages from new employment or an increase in earnings at current employment are counted when calculating rent. This means that residents’ rents will not increase because of an increase in earned income. Financial coaching and training will be available to all participants. Jobs Plus ATX staff will promote 100% empowerment as residents move their way up in the career of their choice and on their way to earning higher wages and becoming financially independent.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Are you a leader in your community? Have you finished school or worked recently? Do you like to talk to your neighbors, share information and encourage their success? You may be just the person to work for Jobs Plus ATX as a Jobs Plus Community Liaison. Community Liaisons are residents of Chalmers Courts or Booker T. Washington Terraces that work 10-20 hours per week on behalf of Jobs Plus. In addition, employment success will be celebrated by the whole community. Jobs Plus will be hosting a variety of events like hiring fairs, various recreational activities, gatherings for Jobs Plus ATX participants and community members, and events that recognize and celebrate major achievements.

CONTACT US

If you are interested in becoming a Jobs Plus ATX participant or Community Liaison, please contact Kate Levell at katel@hacanet.org or call (512) 477-4488 ext. 3415.