The City of Austin’s Neighborhood Housing and Community Development Department (NHCD) and the Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA) are launching the Relief of Emergency Needs for Tenants (RENT) Assistance Program, a $17.75 million program providing $12.9 million in direct rent support for income-eligible Austin renters who are financially impacted by COVID-19. The RENT program will also offer...

An Important Note Regarding the Coronavirus: HACA remains open to serve our residents, clients, and the community. However, to ensure the safety of all during the coronavirus pandemic, all communications will be limited to phone or email. Therefore, HACA’s central office and PBRA property lobbies will be closed to the public starting Wednesday, March 18th. Again, we are available by...

The Analysis of Impediments, or AI, is a planning process for local governments and public housing agencies (including HACA) to take meaningful actions to overcome historic patterns of segregation, promote fair housing choice, and foster inclusive communities that are free from discrimination. Central Texas Regional AI has a draft of their study ready for public viewing and comment, through April...

HACA was recently notified that the agency received two Southwest NAHRO Awards: Special Achievement by a Program Participant: Lupe Garcia, Santa Rita Courts Resident Council President Best Newsletter- Large Agency The Southwest NAHRO awards will officially be presented on June 27 during the Southwest NAHRO 78th Annual Conference in Little Rock, Arkansas. In addition, HACA has received three NAHRO Awards...

HACA has earned a perfect score in this year’s Section Eight Management Assessment Program (SEMAP) review, thus enabling it to maintain its U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) defined status as a “High Performer,” a status it has maintained for more than 15 years. “To earn a perfect score requires a total team effort,” said HACA President and...

HACA is honored to announce we recently received the Community Vision Award from the Austin Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) during the organization's 2018 AIA Austin Design Awards Celebration at the New Central Library in Downtown Austin. The AIA's Community Vision Award was first awarded to Austin Foundation Communities in 2011, and has since been bestowed on...

HACA subsidiary Austin Pathways is happy to announce a partnership with Capstone Title, a premier real estate organization in Austin, Texas. Capstone Title has generously donated $10,000 to help Austin Pathways in its mission to expand digital inclusion, job training, and educational opportunities for HACA’s 19,000 residents. “We’re so excited to support this wonderful, community-focused organization and spread the word...

HACA has received 25 additional vouchers from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), bringing the agency’s total HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) Program allocation to 489. The distribution is part of an ongoing effort by HUD and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to end veteran homelessness. The HUD-VASH Program combines rental assistance from HUD coupled...

HACA is pleased to announce the receipt of eight awards from the Texas Chapter of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (TX NAHRO) for its service and publications. These individuals were recognized for their exceptional accomplishments and commitment: Management Person of the Year: Andrea Galloway, Management Information Systems Director Executive of the Year: Michael Gerber, President and CEO...

Carl S. Richie, Jr. Chairman of the HACA Board of Commissioners, was recently elected President of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO), the nation’s oldest housing and community development association. He will serve in that position for the next two years. “I am honored to be elected NAHRO President and look forward to working with my colleagues...

The Jobs Plus ATX team was recently honored during a 4th Annual Partnership Appreciation Day luncheon hosted by the Travis County Commissioners Court. Jobs Plus ATX was among several area partners recognized for contributions and collaborative support to Justice Planning's Workforce Development Programs. Organizations honored at the luncheon were celebrated for making a significant impact on the Austin community. Jobs...

HACA is pleased to announce we have been awarded $15 million in competitive low-income housing tax credits from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs for the redevelopment of 40 deeply affordable multifamily housing units and the construction of 80 additional affordable units at Goodrich Place in Austin’s Zilker Neighborhood. This is the first time in HACA’s 80-year history that...

HACA recently was presented with a generous grant from Texas Capital Bank that will bring needed money management training to participants in HACA’s Jobs Plus ATX program. “This grant from the Texas Capital Bank is a wonderful opportunity for HACA to leverage the financial incentives available to residents through Jobs Plus,” said Jobs Plus ATX Project Director Barbara Jackson. “We...

HACA's Assisted Housing Department recently earned a score of 100 percent during its annual Section Eight Management Assessment Program (SEMAP) audit. In addition to achieving a score of 100, zero errors were identified for Indicator #3: Determination of Adjusted Income. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's SEMAP evaluation measures the performance of the public housing agencies that administer...

HACA was recently notified that the agency received three Southwest NAHRO Awards: Extra Mile Award: Suzanne Schwertner, AAHC Project Development Manager Southwest Regional Council of NAHRO Commissioner of the Year: Edwina Carrington Best Other Agency Publication- Large Agency: 2017 HACA Resident Calendar The Southwest NAHRO awards will officially be presented on Wednesday (June 7) during the Southwest NAHRO 77th Annual...

HACA is pleased to announce the receipt of eight awards from the Texas Chapter of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (TX NAHRO) for its service and publications. These individuals were recognized for their exceptional accomplishments and commitment: Commissioner of the Year: Edwina Carrington Management Person of the Year: Suzanne Schwertner, AAHC Project Development Manager Executive of the...

HACA’s nonprofit Austin Pathways raised more than $37,000 during Amplify Austin Day March 2-3. One hundred percent of the funds, generously donated by more than 190 individuals, community partners and local businesses, provide direct support for scholarship and self-sufficiency programs. HACA and Austin Pathways have awarded more than $1 million in scholarships to public and affordable housing residents since 2001....

City of Austin Mayor Steve Adler recently recognized the founding members of the Unlocking the Connection initiative during a city council meeting.

The Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA) has earned a score of 98 out of 100 percent in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s 2015 (HUD) Public Housing Assessment Program (PHAS) review, making the agency a High Performer for the 15th consecutive year. “HACA is proud of our High Performer status and to be one of...

HACA received notification last month that the agency has received a National NAHRO Award of Merit for its Unlocking the Connection initiative. Awards will be presented at a reception during the NAHRO Summer Conference on July 15 in Portland, Oregon. Unlocking the Connection has also been nominated for a National Award of Excellence.

The Bringing Opportunity Home Online Video Series produced by Elephant Productions has been selected by The Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts to receive a 2016 Communicator Award of Distinction.

At the National League of Cities Congress of Cities event in November 2015 in Nashville, Austin was selected as one of six winners of the inaugural Digital Inclusion Leadership Awards, a partnership program of Next Century Cities, the National League of Cities and Google Fiber. These awards celebrate city governments who are leading programs or empowering community-based organizations to tackle...