Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs - Building Homes and Strengthening Communities
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 12, 2013

Media Contact:
Gordon Anderson (512) 475-4743
Public Inquiries:

TDHCA Housing Resource Center: (800) 525-0657
 

KEY POINTS

  • State housing agency to finance new affordable rental property
  • Affordable housing stock helps keep Texas vibrant
  • Construction generates income, fees for local economy

State housing agency awards $1.2 million to expand Austin’s affordable rental market

(AUSTIN) — The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) has awarded $1.2 million in housing tax credits to a nonprofit developer constructing the 140-unit Homestead Apartments, a planned rental property in south Austin that will offer units with reduced rents.

The award, made through the state housing agency’s Housing Tax Credit Program, will help Foundation Communities finance 126 units which will be set aside for individuals and families earning no more than 60 percent of the area median family income. For Austin, this equals an annual income of $43,920 for a four-person household.

Because the state’s future population growth is expected to be the greatest at both ends of the age spectrum, an ample stock of affordable housing is critical to keeping the Texas economy healthy and vibrant, according to TDHCA Executive Director Tim Irvine. 

“The Housing Tax Credit Program plays a critical role in TDHCA’s mission to offer housing options for Texans of all income levels,” Irvine said. “Whether it is a young working family just starting out in life or a senior citizen living on a fixed income, thousands of Texans are in need of a safe, decent home that fits their limited budget. The Homestead Apartments will represent an important step toward filling that need.”

Besides bringing greater stability to low income individuals and families, he noted the program’s economic multiplier effect ensures that the entire city will benefit from today’s award.

“When you combine the jobs, payroll funds and sales tax revenue these properties generate,” he explained, “TDHCA anticipates that this allocation of housing tax credits could generate as much as $11 million for the Austin economy and $1.1 million in taxes and fees for both city and state coffers.”

The federal Housing Tax Credit Program is the state’s primary means of directing private capital toward the development of affordable rental housing. Developers and their investment partners use the credits to offset their federal tax liability on a dollar-for-dollar basis in exchange for the construction or rehabilitation of rental units offering a reduced rent.

About the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs
The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs is committed to expanding fair housing choice and opportunities for Texans through the administration and funding of affordable housing and homeownership opportunities, weatherization, and community-based services with the help of for-profits, nonprofits, and local governments. For more information about fair housing, funding opportunities, or services in your area, please visit www.tdhca.state.tx.us or the Learn about Fair Housing in Texas page. 

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