$2M grant puts Community First!

Austin’s Community First! Village will soon be adding up to 30 new homes thanks to a $2 million grant from the Downtown Austin Alliance. The tiny home community provides supportive housing for people experiencing chronic homelessness. Dewitt Peart, president and CEO of the Downtown Austin Alliance, said this is the largest grant the community has received to date. It could fund about 30 new homes. “We hope that our pledge of support will inspire others to contribute, resulting in many more of Austin’s chronically homeless finding a community they can call home,” Peart said. “Together we will work to help those who are in need for the betterment of all of Austin.” The property in Northeast Austin spans 27 acres and features tiny homes, RVs and small cottages. The community currently houses more than 100 residents. Alan Graham is co-founder of Mobile Loaves and Fishes, the nonprofit that runs the Community First! He said the population is expected to grow to 200 next year, bringing the community to full capacity. “We have micro-homes here that are limited to one person because they’re relatively small, but these RVs that you see behind us can accommodate two people, so we have several couples that live in the community,” Graham said.