Foundation Communities’ Laurel Creek Apartments in Austin, Texas, is providing more than a roof over families’ heads. The 88-unit development offers wraparound services to help residents achieve educational success, financial stability, and healthier lifestyles.
“We’re not building just housing, but we’re bringing a lot of services to our residents as well as the surrounding neighborhood,” says Sabrina Butler, director of real estate development at Foundation Communities.
The development, which serves households earning between 30% and 50% of the area median income (AMI), opened its doors in fall 2021. In addition, 20% of the units are set aside for extremely low-income homeless families who will receive services through the nonprofit’s Children’s HOME Initiative program, which has been serving this population since 2003. The community offers residents access to a state-of-the-art learning center that offers free after-school and summer programming. An on-site preschool, operated by Open Door Preschool, also provides subsidized child care to eligible residents. Additional services include a healthy food pantry as well as health and financial wellness programs. Amenities feature a laundry room, a playground, a basketball court, a dog park, and outdoor space with picnic tables and grills.
Also notable about Laurel Creek Apartments is that it is in a high-opportunity and diverse area of North Austin, with access to transit, good schools, retail, amenities, health care, and jobs.
The $27.4 million development, which received support from the city and the state, was financed primarily with low-income housing tax credit equity.
