North Austin News

The City of Austin's Housing Department, in collaboration with the Austin Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC), has announced a $5 million solicitation aimed at preventing displacement through Project Connect's anti-displacement funding. Applications are open from April 8 to June 13, 2025, which can be submitted online. More details about the solicitation and eligibility requirements are available at www.austintexas.gov/communityinnovation.

The funding is available to any 501(c)(3) organization interested in partnering with the city to address transit-related displacement prevention. Existing Community Initiated Solutions (CIS) partners are eligible to apply as well. CIS is a multi-year program funded through Project Connect designed to aid renters and homeowners within one mile of the projected transit routes.

Mandy DeMayo, Interim Director of the Housing Department, expressed enthusiasm about the funding, stating, “We are very excited to open this new round of Project Connect anti-displacement funding. The dollars invested with local Community Initiated Solutions partners represent a win for our most vulnerable communities along the Project Connect corridor.” DeMayo added, “And promoting economic mobility creates and sustains stable homes and vibrant communities.”

Selected organizations will receive funding ranging from $500,000 to $2 million. AHFC expects to award funds to at least three organizations, with amounts varying based on evaluation criteria and rankings. Susan Watkins, Housing Division Manager, noted, “This round of funding provides a unique opportunity for community organizations to strengthen the economic well-being of people living near new transit projects, creating more options for them to stay in their homes as values increase.”

Funding must target areas within a mile of the Project Connect corridors and benefit individuals and households at or below 80% of the area median family income (AMFI). The projects should reduce displacement along the corridor, enhance economic mobility, and ensure housing stability.

A virtual pre-submittal meeting will take place on April 16, supplemented by technical assistance meetings and virtual office hours for applicants. Questions about the application must be submitted by June 3, ten days before the closing date.

The CIS program launched in 2023 and has since provided assistance to over 1,000 families, reaching more than 100,000 families vulnerable to displacement. The $5 million to be allocated is part of broader funding goals for residents at risk due to Project Connect's transit investments. In previous years, $20 million was allocated for immediate needs, and $14 million for years 3 to 5. Unspent $1.9 million from initial allocations rolled over for further use. In October 2024, $10.9 million was allocated to eight existing CIS organizations.

For additional information about current CIS organizations and their services, visit www.austintexas.gov/communityinnovation.