Seven-year-old Zoe is a big fan of unicorns, Santa Claus and the magic of Christmas. Her mother Heather wants to keep it that way. Last year didn’t bring as much holiday cheer. Heather and Zoe’s father lost their home, and then they split up, leaving the mother and daughter living off Heather’s small disability check. […]
Category Archives: Housing
St. David’s Foundation Delivers $5.9 Million to Support Residents
On a hot Thursday morning, Mo Poura has a smile on his face and a sense of purpose as he parks a large transport van in front of Arbor Terrace apartments. Mo drives appointment vans for Foundation Communities’ Supported Employment program taking residents to medical offices, banks, even recreational outings. This time, he’s taking Arbor […]
Foundation Communities Hosts Rally for 2022 Affordable Housing Bonds Campaign
On July 21, 2022, Foundation Communities a broad coalition of advocates, affordable housing providers and elected leaders gathered at The Jordan at Mueller to call for a bold investment in housing affordability in Austin. The coalition is urging Council to place an affordable housing bond of at least $300 million on the November 2022 ballot […]
Family Finds Financial Footing with Affordable Housing, Support
Iyanna Burns prides herself in being independent and self-sufficient. But in 2019, she had to swallow that pride a bit. Pregnant with her third child, Iyanna made the decision to remove herself from an unhealthy living situation and return to the north Austin area. It’s where she had grown up, and where she could find […]
Foundation Communities Awarded $6 million in Federal Funding for New Affordable Housing
Foundation Communities has taken another big step toward reaching our current goal for expanding affordable housing in Austin. This week, we were awarded $6 million from the Capital Magnet Fund administered by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund). Foundation Communities is one of 59 organizations nationwide that will receive a […]
A Mother’s Perseverance Pays Off through Laurel Creek
At the March 30th ribbon cutting ceremony for Laurel Creek Apartments, a resident opened her speech with these powerful words: “My name is Evelyn Chase…and I am not a victim. I am a survivor.” Evelyn is not shy about detailing the abuse she has endured. It caused her to run away from home as a […]
Church’s Legacy to Live on Through FC Affordable Housing
In Austin’s Riverside area, an old church stands in a grassy field among towering shade trees. The Parker Lane United Methodist Church (UMC) building has been on the eight-acre site for more than 60 years, but in 2019 it was forced to close because of declining membership. On a sweltering Austin day, Foundation Communities Executive […]
Capital Studios Resident Was Full of Life, Despite Health Issues
We are saddened to note that Manny Nanez passed away on May 6, 2022. We are continuing to publish his story below as a tribute to the contributions he made to the community at Capital Studios. Manny Nanez greets everyone he meets as he walks around Capital Studios. As a Community Engagement Specialist, he’s constantly […]
Foundation Communities Residents Deliver Food, Hope During Pandemic
The Foundation Communities Supported Employment Program allows FC residents to receive work experience and pay as they provide vital services for neighbors in their communities. This video takes us on the job with some supported employees as they sort and pack food items for delivery to other FC residents. This food delivery program became more […]
Grant Writing Intern Receives a Wealth of Knowledge about Storytelling – Sammy Jo Cienfuegos
I was introduced to Foundation Communities through the SERVE Austin program at St. Edward’s University at the beginning of last year. I served as a volunteer for the afterschool program at Sierra Vista. I’ve always loved working with kids, but Foundation Communities just did things differently. Their programming touched on all aspects of the children’s […]
