Austin awards $20M to nonprofits to reduce residential displacement

AUSTIN, Texas — The Metropolis of Austin is awarding $20 million price of group contracts to 14 nonprofits to fight residential displacement in addition to create financial alternatives for communities affected by new rail and Speedy routes.

The funds are a part of a voter-approved $300 million technique underneath Venture Join that’s increasing upon transportation within the metropolis. This consists of new park and rides, new and expanded bus companies with all-electric fleets and a brand new rail service. Funds will assist renter/tenant stabilization applications and undertake anti-displacement methods.

“We glance to those awards as efficient investments to stabilize susceptible residents,” mentioned Nefertitti Jackmon, Metropolis of Austin group displacement prevention officer. “We’re excited that the group has responded with thoughtfully designed proposals that middle group residents and tackle a myriad of displacement prevention instruments to enhance family stability and affordability,”

Venture Join focuses on stopping displacement inside a mile of the chance areas of transit traces. Impacted communities may have entry to funds and assist to be introduced by the town within the upcoming months.

“This can be a historic initiative for our metropolis, to leverage anti-displacement {dollars} over the following three years, with 14 organizations, addressing the wants of households with kids residing in poverty, monetary literacy applications, growth of group land trusts, property planning applications, assist for the growth of dwelling possession alternatives, and extra. Our division wouldn’t have been in a position to launch such a strong array of applications suddenly and have the identical attain and impression as these organizations may have. That is what we are able to obtain, as a metropolis, after we co-create with group,” Jackmon mentioned.

Among the nonprofits that obtained funds via these group contracts embrace:

• Goodwill Industries of Central Texas’ Connections to Work program obtained $2 million to supply job coaching for living-wage positions.
• Communities in College of Central Texas’ Scholar and Household Help will obtain $1.5 million to supply monetary assist to deal with housing insecurity and assist stabilize college students’ dwelling lives.
• Austin Voices for Training and Youth’s North Austin/ Rundberg Neighborhood Stabilization will obtain practically $1.27 million to assist with lease short-term stabilization, group constructing and social work-case administration.