December 21, 2018
Categories: Grant/Donation Announcements
The Austin Community Foundation has invested $250,000 in the Texas Housing Impact Fund, a loan fund of the Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation (TSAHC). The investment will help fund the construction of an affordable, accessible apartment complex known as Accessible Housing Austin! at Briarcliff (AHA! at Briarcliff).
The investment will allow TSAHC to increase the amount of financing for AHA! at Briarcliff from $695,000 to $995,000, with a reduced interest rate of 2.5 percent during the two-year construction period.
“We applaud Austin Community Foundation’s investment in our Texas Housing Impact Fund to support the AHA! at Briarcliff development,” said David Long, President, Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation. “Their commitment allows us to amplify our impact in creating affordable and accessible housing opportunities for low-income households in an area of Austin that is close to transit, jobs, amenities, and services.”
AHA! at Briarcliff, located in northeast Austin, will consist of 27 units. One half will be accessible and the other half will be adaptable for persons with disabilities. The complex will serve households with incomes below 50 percent of the median family income. Construction is expected to begin in early 2019.
Austin Community Foundation’s investment is made through FundATX, the organization’s impact investing program. As a complement to its traditional grant-making strategy, the Foundation awards below-market-rate loans to nonprofit organizations and community development financial intermediaries working to close the opportunity gap in Central Texas. This strategy allows the Foundation to invest in local solutions while generating a financial return on philanthropic dollars.
“We know grant making can only go so far and we’re committed to maximizing the Austin Community Foundation’s resources through new and innovative solutions, such as impact investing, to help close the opportunity gap in Central Texas,” Mike Nellis, chief executive officer, Austin Community Foundation, said. “The foundation is excited to partner with Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation and other investors to bring this project to fruition.”
Accessible Housing Austin!, the local nonprofit housing developer of AHA! at Briarcliff, has secured more than $3.7 million in additional financing from the City of Austin and the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, as well as an Affordable Housing Program (AHP) grant from Frost Bank in partnership with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas. Additionally, the project will be exempt from local property taxes through a ground lease and long-term partnership with the Housing Authority of the City of Austin.