The Housing Authority of the City of Austin released plans to provide 300 project-based vouchers for Austin’s vulnerable and unhoused population earlier this month during a press conference. 

Partially funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the vouchers — with 100 specifically for veterans –– will provide $93 million in housing assistance over the course of 20 years. The voucher provides a subsidy which covers a portion of rent for apartments or houses, said Lisa Garcia, vice president of assisted housing at the Housing Authority.

Garcia said the Housing Authority, along with other organizations such as Ending Community Homelessness Coalition, help serve over 6,000 individuals and families monthly. She said the new program was created to address the lack of affordable housing in Austin. 

“These particular developments are specifically going to build properties or renovate some of their existing units to serve the homeless,” Garcia said. “It takes away the difficulty for those that are eligible (for vouchers) to be able to find a unit.” 

Properties and developments apply to join the program, and each location provides a form of support services for consideration. 

“They have to come up with a plan to provide comprehensive support services to help people that are moving from an unhoused situation to housing to be able to be successful once they move in,” Garcia said. 

Some properties will be available to house residents as early as this year, but some will not due to construction, Garcia said.

“This news demonstrates a big step in meeting the city of Austin’s efforts to address homelessness,” said Linda Lam, president of Hunger and Homelessness Outreach, in an email. 

Biology junior Lam said low wages, high living costs and a lack of resources in the city are recurring issues leading to homelessness, so the voucher program is a step in the right direction.  

“It has taken Austin a long time to develop into the quality living spaces it has today,” Lam said.  “The fundings from HUD to ensure that the homeless population are able to have a stable home, is something I am proud to see.” 

Ethan Williams, president and co-founder of Uplift Austin at UT, a nonprofit spirit organization that provides necessities to vulnerable and unhoused populations, said the voucher program needs more attention due to the number of vacant houses and living units in the city. In Austin, 4.9% of units were vacant during the last quarter of 2022. 

“Vouchers are definitely a thing that light needs to be shined upon,” Williams said. “Vouchers and housing and the importance of it, and how people can get involved in those programs.”

Public health senior Williams said he started Uplift Austin with a friend after volunteering during Winter Storm Uri in 2021. He said now Uplift Austin works to encourage other college students to volunteer and get involved in the community. 

“This is (about) trying to make sure that those who are homeless or displaced in Austin are aware of these resources,” Williams said. “It’s critical we try to encourage young people to speak up and have a voice.”

Applications for the voucher program and other assistance programs can be found on the Housing Authority’s website.