Travis County has earmarked more than $247 million of federal ARPA money for low-income housing, a move that could add 1,700 new units to the Austin area.
Funding and Allocation
Travis County received $247 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars. At least $110 million of that was dedicated to housing projects for those at the lowest income levels, homeless or at risk of being homeless. County staff said the funding has gone toward nearly a dozen housing projects and will help create more than 1,700 units.
Carin Point Cameron Senior Complex
One of those projects, Carin Point Cameron, will be run by Caritas of Austin and is set to open in the spring. Starting next year, 150 units will be available in the north Austin complex. All of those units will serve people at the lowest income levels; most of them will be reserved for people who are right now homeless. The community is specifically for people aged 55 or older.
Wrap-around Services and Vision
Facilities like these don’t just provide shelter. The units come with wrap-around services such as a food pantry, case workers, on-site health care and an education and employment program. “People 55 and older are the fastest growing cohort in the homeless population,” explained Jo Kathryn Quinn, president and CEO of Caritas of Austin. “One of our values at Caritas is to provide individual tailored services. Every person is different, we’re each unique. We each have a whole different set of needs and so we try to address those needs in a very tailored way so that people can build their wellbeing and be integrated members of our community,” Quinn said.
Key Takeaways
- Travis County uses $247 million ARPA funds to build 1,700+ low-income housing units.
- A 150-unit senior complex for the homeless will open spring 2025.
- Caritas of Austin offers tailored services to help residents build wellbeing.
Travis County’s investment in these housing projects underscores a commitment to addressing homelessness and providing comprehensive support to Austin’s most vulnerable residents.
