Austin, TX

New permanent supportive housing community, Cady Lofts, opens in Central Austin

Published

10 months ago

April 25, 2025

New permanent supportive housing community, Cady Lofts, opens in Central Austin

For anyone experiencing homelessness in search of a stable place to live, please contact Austin ECHO (Ending Community Homelessness Coalition) for a Coordinated Assessment. Details and access information are available at www.austinecho.org/gethelp.

AUSTIN, TX – The City of Austin Housing Department is pleased to announce the opening of a new permanent supportive housing community located at 1004 E. 39th Street, in the Central Austin Hancock neighborhood in District 9. Dubbed Cady Lofts, the new four-story, elevator served community offers 100 fully furnished studio units to persons exiting homelessness. Persons experiencing chronic homelessness and those with physical and mental disabilities are identified and/or selected using a coordinated entry process required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and facilitated in Travis County by the Ending Community Homelessness Coalition (ECHO). Cady Lofts is the result of a collaboration between SGI Ventures Inc. and the Austin Affordable Housing Corporation, the non-profit subsidiary of the Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA).

“We are proud to work side-by-side with SGI Ventures in bringing this development online and thrilled to have additional permanent supportive housing come online in Austin. Permanent supportive housing is a much-needed tool to address homelessness. It addresses a critical need for long-term housing stability for those experiencing chronic homelessness, while providing much needed services for overall health and well-being,” says Mandy DeMayo, Interim Director for the Housing Department.

As a permanent supportive housing (PSH) property, all Cady Lofts’ units are dedicated housing for formerly chronically homeless individuals referred through the Coordinated Entry System managed by ECHO. These units are not intended to accommodate families. Most chronically homeless individuals have incomes below 30% of area median income. As such, every unit will have a dedicated voucher to make up the difference between what residents are able to pay and the rents charged at each income level – ensuring residents can live at the property regardless of their ability to pay. All residents must be income qualified. The units are subject to the following restrictions:

Unit features include solid surface kitchen countertops and bathroom vanities, energy efficient appliances and lighting and resilient flooring. Community amenities include meeting or training rooms, a library, community laundry areas on each floor and community warming kitchen, a computer center and a central outdoor community courtyard. Volunteers of America will serve as property manager and Family Endeavors Inc. will be the service provider. Saigebrook, O-SDA Industries, and New Hope Housing are all acting as development and service provider consultants. 

Wrap-around support services such as job training, health screenings, benefits assistance and case management services will be offered to residents. A variety of classes will be offered, including fitness, cooking, nutrition, personal finance and tax preparation. Free monthly on-site social events will also be held. The building offers controlled access and 24-hour onsite management. All utilities are provided at no cost to residents.

Cady Lofts is within walking distance (or a half mile) of bus/transit stops, the St. David’s Medical Center and the Hancock shopping center, which includes an H-E-B, a CommunityCare Walk-in Clinic and numerous restaurant, service and retail shops.

“Cady Lofts provides both a trauma-informed model of housing and robust onsite support services, offering a pathway to stability through trauma-informed housing and support services, designed to help residents heal, rebuilt, and thrive. According to ECHO’s 2024 State of the HRS report, there are over 1,500 chronically homeless individuals in Austin,” explains Sally Gaskin, president of SGI Ventures, who is a developer and tax credit and private activity bond consultant. “Those who have experienced long-term or repeated homelessness need housing with ongoing support and wraparound services, intended to keep them permanently housed and give them resources to become stable and flourish after experiencing the trauma of homelessness and its compounding effects.”

Gaskin adds that PSH communities are an integral part of the City’s overall strategy to end chronic homelessness by offering long-term solutions beyond emergency shelters and rapid rehousing, which offers crucial short-term assistance.

“Permanent supportive housing (PSH) provides long-term rental assistance and individualized support services to those with the highest needs and most complex barriers to housing, including disabilities and chronic homelessness. PSH combines housing affordability with individualized support services,” she explains. “With 100 PSH units, Cady Lofts addresses the City’s shortage of such units, helping to stably house our most vulnerable neighbors.”

Caption: Photo of interior courtyard for the Cady Lofts Apartments.

Dollars and cents

A variety of funding sources contributed to the construction of this development, including $13.84 million in tax credit equity and a $1.08 million loan from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) under the 9% Housing Tax Credit (HTC) program. This program awards tax credits to developments, allowing developers to exchange these credits with investors for equity investments, typically covering about 70% of total development costs.

Additional funding sources for the development included a $7.2 million loan from the Austin Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) through the Rental Housing Development Assistance (RHDA) program, financed by General Obligation (GO) Bonds. The Austin Community Foundation (ACF), through its Housing Accelerator Fund, provided a $2 million construction loan with favorable terms to support the project. Other contributors included the Austin Affordable Housing Corporation, the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) Dallas, and the Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation (TSAHC). The developer also leveraged the City of Austin’s Affordability Unlocked program

In addition, project-based vouchers have been secured for every unit: 75 Housing Choice Vouchers from the Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA) and 25 Local Housing Vouchers from the City of Austin to ensure that no resident will be required to pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

“Private and public funding sources for PSH and affordable housing communities are critical, as this funding allows us to provide not just long-term housing, but long-term comprehensive services and care to meet the needs of our friends and neighbors transitioning out of chronic homelessness,” Gaskin says. “Each of our funding sources, including our partnership with AHFC, makes it possible for us to sustainably provide the wrap-around support services essential for PSH to be successful.”

Cady Lofts was constructed on a .74-acre site. Total development costs for Cady Lofts were approximately $25 million. Construction began in October 2023 and ended in March.

About the City of Austin Housing Department
The City of Austin Housing Department provides equitable and comprehensive housing solutions, community development, and displacement prevention services to enhance the quality of life of all Austinites. To access affordable housing and community resources, visit www.austintexas.gov/housing.

About the Austin Housing Finance Corporation
The Austin Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) was created as a public, non-profit corporation and instrumentality of the City of Austin. The mission of the AHFC is to generate and implement strategic housing solutions for the benefit of low- and moderate-income residents of the City of Austin.

About the Housing Authority of the City of Austin 
Established in 1937, the Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA) is an independent public unit separate from the City of Austin and responsible to an autonomous Board of Commissioners. HACA frequently works in partnership with civic and community groups to meet the needs of low-income families, seniors, persons with disabilities, and persons experiencing homelessness. Its mission is to cultivate sustainable, affordable housing communities and partnerships that inspire self-reliance, growth, and optimism. As a High-Performing housing authority that assists more than 20,000 Austinites, HACA owns and operates about 2,000 units of subsidized housing in multiple developments across Austin.

About the SGI Ventures Inc.
SGI Ventures, Inc. is a developer and tax credit and private activity bond consultant. It has been active in the affordable housing industry since 1996 and has developed over 1,000 affordable units. 

About Saigebrook Development 
Saigebrook Development, LLC creates exceptional affordable housing developments that serve the local workforce while also providing options for market rate rental units within each community. Established in 1996, the WBE- and HUB-certified real estate development consulting firm has developed and constructed more than 6,800 rental homes across the southeastern United States.

About O-SDA Industries 
O-SDA Industries, LLC is a City of Austin MBE/WBE/Texas HUB-certified real estate development firm with deep expertise in building affordable housing communities that meet the unique needs of each city and individual neighborhood they serve. Since 2011, O-SDA has been part of over 25 successful 9% Housing Tax Credit applications for projects across the state of Texas.

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Austin, TX

Multiple people injured in mass shooting on 6th St; Austin Police investigating

Published

8 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Multiple people injured in mass shooting on 6th St; Austin Police investigating

Austin Police are investigating a mass shooting at Buford’s on West 6th Street that’s left multiple people injured.

This happened around 2 A.M. as the bar was closing.

The number of people injured is not known.

Austin Police are also investigating an Officer Involved Shooting in the 600 block of Rio Grande Street.

They say the suspect is deceased.

APD says the call originated as a shoot/stab hotshot incident with multiple people injured.

Austin Travis County EMS and the Austin Fire Department are also on the scene.

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This is a developing story and will be updated as more information is released.

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Austin, TX

State of the Texas Longhorns: Where UT athletics stands in early 2026

Published

20 hours ago

February 28, 2026

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State of the Texas Longhorns: Where UT athletics stands in early 2026

If Bevo had to step in front of the microphones, cameras and Texas football fans everywhere to deliver an annual State of the Longhorns address, what would he say?

Maybe he would expound on the virtues of Arch Manning and deride the College Football Playoff committee for leaving the Longhorns out. Or maybe he would just as for some more hay to snack on.

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Texas Longhorns linebacker Ty'Anthony Smith (26) lifts the trophy with head coach Steve Sarkisianas the Longhorns celebrate after winning the Citrus Bowl 41-27 against the Michigan Wolverines at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31, 2025. — Texas Longhorns linebacker Ty’Anthony Smith (26) lifts the trophy with head coach Steve Sarkisianas the Longhorns celebrate after winning the Citrus Bowl 41-27 against the Michigan Wolverines at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 31, 2025.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman

Bevo and his predecessors have been stomping on the sidelines of Texas games for over 100 years. It might require a few hundred more years and some substantial evolutionary progress before he’s ready to deliver the burnt orange equivalent of the President’s annual State of the Union Address, which took place Tuesday night.

Bevo XV makes his way into Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium during before the start of an NCAA college football game against Texas A&M Aggies in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025.
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Ricardo B. Brazziell/Austin American-Statesman

For now, we’ll take on the task for him. Here’s where things stand with the Longhorns in early 2026.

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Where the Texas Longhorns rank nationally

Texas won the Learfield Directors’ Cup — awarded to the best-performing athletic department in the country — for the second consecutive year and the fourth time in the last five years in 2025. That’s a remarkable achievement.

How likely are the Longhorns to repeat in 2026?

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MORE: Texas football is spending a lot on its coaches. Why Steve Sarkisian says it’s necessary

It’s tough to predict. Texas didn’t have a great fall, by its standards. The Longhorns rank 31st in the Directors’ Cup standings, with fifth-place, 13th-place and 33rd-place finishes in women’s volleyball, football and men’s cross country finishes marking the only areas where they picked up points.

The good news for Texas is that the fall typically isn’t kind to the Longhorns. Last year, they came out of the autumn ranked 16th.

The winter should be much better. Texas, as usual, has national championship contenders in both men’s and women’s swimming. The Longhorns have an elite women’s basketball team and top-20 teams in men’s and women’s indoor track and field. They can make up some serious ground when results for those sports are tabulated in April.

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We know less about the Longhorns’ outlook in the spring sports, many of which are just getting going, but that has been a source of strength for UT in years past. Last year, North Carolina paced the Directors’ Cup field after the fall and winter events were scored. Texas nearly doubled the Tar Heels’ spring score to chase them down.

How Texas matches up with its in-state rival Texas A&M

Any successful political endeavor requires success in your power base.

Texas’ move to the SEC ahead of the 2024-25 athletic campaign led to the revival of the Lone Star Showdown against local rival Texas A&M. Like the Directors’ Cup, the Lone Star Showdown measures the results of all sports, compiling outcomes of games between the Aggies and Longhorns throughout the academic year.

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MORE: What a hot start for Dylan Volantis, UT pitchers means for Longhorns

Last year, Texas won the Lone Star Showdown over Texas A&M by a final score of 11-7.

This year, the Aggies hold a 5.5-4 lead at the time of publication. Texas A&M has bested the Longhorns in soccer, cross country, volleyball, women’s tennis and men’s basketball, while Texas took home points in football, women’s basketball and swimming and diving.

There are still 9.5 points up for grabs. Half a point is at stake when the men’s basketball teams meet in College Station on Saturday, Two more points can be had this weekend at the SEC indoor track championships, too.

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Texas Longhorns have a down year financially

The campaign funds did not flow as freely for the Longhorns in the 2025 fiscal year.

Texas made a $23.3 million loss, according to financial documents reviewed by the American-Statesman.

The Longhorns attribute most of that to a diminished SEC media rights share — a stipulation Texas agreed to in order to leave the Big 12 for the SEC a year earlier than originally planned. The average SEC school took in $72.4 million in conference distributions in 2025. Texas received just $12.1 million.

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Texas officials say they’re not concerned about their financial position because their agreement with the SEC puts them in line for a full revenue share in the next fiscal year. Rob Novak, the Longhorns’ Chief Financial Officer, said the $23.3 million loss was considered a good financial outcome internally.

And, Novak says, the Longhorns had cash to fall back on. He told the Statesman that the Athletic Department still has over $30 million available in reserve after earning a profit for three consecutive years prior to 2025.

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Austin, TX

Vibe Coding the Vote: Austin Founder Launches AI Election Tool

Published

1 day ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Vibe Coding the Vote: Austin Founder Launches AI Election Tool

AUSTIN, Texas — Early voting is wrapping up for the midterm election, and Election Day is March 3rd.

With federal offices, statewide races, and local propositions on the ballot, it’s a packed slate. And for many voters, preparing can feel overwhelming.

Josh Baer knows that feeling well.

“Every year I put an hour on my calendar or two to where I’m supposed to get ready to vote,” Baer said. “I’m supposed to read the voting guides and kind of get prepared. And to be honest, it never seems to work. I always just actually don’t feel very prepared.”

Baer is the founder and CEO of Capital Factory, a startup accelerator and investment hub. This year, instead of struggling through the ballot, he turned to artificial intelligence.

He gave AI two specific instructions.

“I said, one, go download all the best nonpartisan voting guides so that you can read all of them and know what’s going on,” Baer explained. “And then two, I said, interview me so you understand my kind of voting preferences. And then tell me who I should vote for and why.”

Within seconds, the AI generated a nine-page report. It broke down every race and proposition, recommended who he should vote for, and explained why. It also created a condensed cheat sheet for Election Day.

“It was really amazing,” Baer said. “And I felt the most prepared I’ve ever felt going into voting.”

That experience sparked a bigger idea.

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Baer decided to build a website so others could do the same thing. He began what’s known as “vibe coding,” using AI tools to help create the platform.

“It took a few days of me tinkering around with it, but really just from that prompt, I got this incredible website where anybody can go and do the same thing I did,” he said. “And then I said, make it safe. Ensure it’s nonpartisan. Make sure it’s open, and people can trust it.”

The result is TXVotes.app.

Baer says Anthropic’s Claude AI handled much of the heavy lifting behind the scenes. But he didn’t stop there.

He also asked other AI systems — including OpenAI’s ChatGPT, xAI’s Grok, and Google’s Gemini — to review the site and suggest improvements. He then used their feedback to refine the tool.

Baer says privacy and transparency are central to the app’s design.

“You can look at the website and see how it works and why it works,” he said. “But most importantly, in just about five minutes, you can be the most prepared you’ve ever been for any election you’ve walked into.”

As early voting continues, Baer hopes the tool can make researching the ballot faster, easier, and less intimidating for voters across Texas.

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