North Austin News

The City of Austin Housing Department has announced the groundbreaking of a new five-story, wood-frame building that will provide 60 permanent supportive housing units for survivors of violence and abuse. This development, named The Lancaster, is the first of its kind in Austin and will be located at 5115 Lancaster Court in District 4.

“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, and education enhancement.

Julia Spann, CEO of SAFE—a key partner in the project—highlighted the importance of this development: “There aren’t similar resources in the community, so it truly fills a gap for survivors. 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.”

The building will be close to transit lines, jobs, schools, doctors’ offices and other community resources including SAFE’s campus in Rathgeber Village, Mueller and Dell Children’s Medical Center. The goal is to ensure rent coverage for all residents; currently rent for 30 units is funded through project-based vouchers from the Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA), totaling more than $11 million over 20 years.

“This project shows great strides against homelessness are possible if local, state, and philanthropic partners work together,” said Conor Kenny from Capital A Housing.

Funding sources for The Lancaster include 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 (TDHCA), $1 million from H-E-B, and an $850,000 Affordable Housing Program grant from Federal Home Loan Bank via Texas Capital Bank.

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.”