Foundation Communities is a nonprofit organization that creates high-quality affordable housing and empowers low-income families and individuals with programs that educate, support, and improve financial standing.

Description:
Foundation Communities is a nonprofit organization that empowers low-income families and individuals with the tools they need to succeed. Founded in 1989, Foundation Communities operates 14 affordable housing communities‚ 11 in Austin and 3 in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area. The organization has developed a model of service-enriched housing that enables families with low incomes to permanently improve their educational and economic standing.

History:
early 1980s - A stipend from the University of Texas allows Francie Ferguson and other university student housing cooperative members to create the Austin Community Neighborhood Trust, a housing program for low-income families.

1984 - With the Austin real estate market in a slump, we change our name to Austin Mutual Housing and concentrate on managing affordable housing.

1987 - We sponsor a retreat for Austin community leaders to promote and market affordable housing.

1988 - We change our name to Central Texas Mutual Housing Association and create a strategic business plan to purchase as many units as possible in the depressed real estate market.
early 1990s - We acquire four multi-family properties in Austin totaling more than 491 units.

1994 - The Resident Association at Sierra Ridge Apartments creates its first youth program.

1995 - We acquire our largest community, Shadow Brook Apartments, a 403-unit complex in Arlington, Texas.

1997 - Francie Ferguson, founding director, says good-bye and the Board hires the Development Director, Walter Moreau, as the new Executive Director.

1998 - We launch Great IDeAs, the first Individual Development Account program in Texas.

1998 - We are awarded Low Income Housing Tax Credits to build Trails at the Park, our first our first major construction project.

1999 - We are one of three organizations in the country awarded the Metropolitan Life Foundation Award for Excellence in Affordable Housing.

2000 - We complete Trails at the Park, a 200-unit complex, that is immediately filled.

2000 - We purchase and renovate a run-down 200-unit family property, now called Trails at Vintage Creek.

January 2001 - We change our name to Foundation Communities to more accurately reflect our mission.

Summer 2001 - We complete Southwest Trails, the first-ever affordable housing project in west Austin.

2003 – We open Garden Terrace, Austin’s first supportive housing community for single adults who were homeless or in danger of becoming homeless.

2004 – With grants from NeighborWorks America and the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation we create the Children’s HOME Initiative, giving 45 homeless families an affordable home and the tools they need to achieve self-sufficiency.

2005 – We open new Community Learning Centers at Trails at Vintage Creek (Austin) and Shadow Brook (Arlington). Through partnerships with other nonprofits we’re able to provide free after-school and summer youth programs, English as a Second Language instruction, GED preparation, and computer skills classes.
2006 – Spring Terrace, Austin's second supportive housing community, opens to provide low-cost efficiency apartments for 140 more very low-income and homeless individuals.
2008– Skyline Terrace, Austin's third supportive housing community, opens to provide low-cost efficiency apartments for 100 more very low-income and homeless individuals. Garden Terrace also completes an expansion for 15 additional units.

Contact person: Katie Hazekamp, Volunteer Coordinator, (512) 610-7375, (email)

Address:

3036 South 1st St, Suite 200 Austin, TX 78704 (See a map)

Directions:

We are located on South 1st between Oltorf and Ben White. For maps or information, please see http://www.capmetro.org/riding/trip_info.asp