written by Tom Spencer, CEO of iACT

Affordable housing is an issue that iACT cares very deeply about. For over twenty years we have served impoverished senior citizens and disabled individuals living in East Austin through our Hands on Housing program.

In recent years, we have noted a significant change as property values throughout the city have escalated. The poor are being forced out of the central city and into the suburbs and rural areas east of the city limits.

In effect, Austin is becoming a city of the “haves” and the “have-nots” are not welcome. While this may not be the intent of the decisions we are making, it is the reality. And sadly, it is not just the poor who can no longer afford to live in Austin. Thousands of working families – most earning two incomes – cannot afford to either own or rent a home in Austin. Austin is now, by far, the most expensive city in Texas to live in.

On June 24, Keep Austin Affordable staged a rally outside City Hall to support the resolution.While some may just shrug their shoulders and say that “market forces” can’t be resisted, we know that there is a way to ensure that Austin remains affordable for all. There are innovative affordable housing programs throughout our city that are proving that smart interventions work.On Tuesday, August the 27th, iACT will be hosting a “house party” for the “Keep Austin Affordable” campaign supporting the upcoming housing bond elections. We are inviting the clergy and lay leaders of our member communities to come to our offices for fellowship and the opportunity to learn about this critical issue. The gathering will take place at the iACT offices at 4 PM. Please mark your calendars now for this important and informational event. For more information please call Tom Spencer at (512) 386-9145 x 301. iACT’s Office
2921 E 17th Street,
Building D, Suite 3,
Austin, TX 78702Google MapDirections Keep Austin Affordable has produced the following documentary, Affordable Housing: Austin Success Stories. Doris, a Hands on Housing client, is featured in the video.Together we can Keep Austin Affordable! To get involved check the Keep Austin Affordable website.