AUSTIN, Texas — The city of Austin broke ground on another affordable housing development project for people experiencing chronic homelessness in Austin.
Seabrook Square is just minutes away from the Mueller neighborhood. On Friday, ground was broken on Phase II of the project, which will provide 60 fully furnished apartments for people experiencing homelessness.
“Seabrook is more than just another housing project happening in this boomtown,” David Gray, the city's Homeless Strategy Officer, said. “At the heart of his project lies the fundamental belief in the inherent dignity and worth of every individual in Austin and Travis County.”
In addition to giving formerly unhoused people a place to stay, there will also be a range of wrap-around services provided in the building. There will be staff onsite 24/7 to provide support services, a food pantry, a computer lab and on-site laundry, among other services.
“When we talk about people recovering and being successful in their own recovery in the community, it’s more than just a place to live. It’s supportive services, it’s treatment services. It’s decent, affordable food and housing and friends and being part of a community,” Jeff Richardson, the CEO of Integral Care, said.
Phase I of the project broke ground earlier this year and will provide 204 affordable units for low-income Austinites.
“The housing in general and the cost of housing in Austin is very challenging,” Richardson said. “It’s really impacting our most vulnerable citizens.”
Seabrook Square is a partnership between the Austin Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC), Integral Care, Capital A Housing and the NHP Foundation. The building will be owned and operated by Integral Care.
The nearly $20 million project is financed by 2022 General Obligation Bonds, Travis County, the Downtown Density Bonus Program and HOME ARPA funding. The city of Austin also allocated 60 housing vouchers for the project.
Construction is estimated to be completed by January 2026, and residents will start moving in by March.
Boomtown is KVUE's series covering the explosive growth in Central Texas. For more Boomtown stories, head to KVUE.com/Boomtown.