LifeWorks breaks ground for 29 new affordable housing units

On April 5, Mayor Steve Adler, Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo, and Council Member Ora Houston sat on a beautifully manicured lawn that will soon transform into an affordable housing development. City Council members attended the morning ceremony to inaugurate the expansion of LifeWorks’ affordable housing initiative to end youth homelessness, which aligns with the city’s Strategic Housing Blueprint. This project will be constructed at 835 N. Pleasant Valley Road and will provide 29 units to homeless and at-risk youth who will be able to take advantage of LifeWorks’ programming and wraparound services, which are aimed at helping clients re-enter the workforce. Although the project was formulated and executed by the local nonprofit, the city of Austin is providing 38 percent of the required $4.8 million through HOME Dollars. HOME Dollars are provided by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development through their HOME Investment Partnerships Program. The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs will also serve as a funding anchor for the project. Construction will begin in two weeks and is scheduled to last for 13 months.