Doggett celebrates federal funding to benefit Foundation Communities

At a Tuesday press conference, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett and Foundation Communities celebrated $3.5 million in federal funds that will go toward three of the local housing nonprofit’s programs serving low- and middle-income families in Austin.

“Before affordability was a top concern for folks across our community, Foundation Communities was doing something about it,” Doggett said. “There are thousands of families that have been helped by Foundation Communities – not only upon finding affordable housing, but with tax assistance and health care.”

Foundation Communities Executive Director Walter Moreau thanked Doggett for his assistance in securing the funds, which will benefit the nonprofit’s solar sustainability program and learning centers, as well as launch a new preschool in North Central Austin.

Foundation Communities provides affordable housing to more than 7,000 Austinites across 26 communities in the city. That includes 88 families residing at the Laurel Creek apartment community on North Lamar Boulevard, where Tuesday’s press conference took place. Laurel Creek will also be home to the Open Door preschool, which received $820,000 as part of Doggett’s efforts and will fill a sorely needed child care coverage gap in the area.

“Austin couldn’t thrive, couldn’t exist, if we didn’t support families who are here working and who may not have a lot of money,” Moreau said. “So thank you for helping us in this work for the last couple of decades.”

The appropriations include $1.5 million to equip five Foundation Communities properties with solar panels as part of the organization’s efforts to reduce both its carbon footprint and energy costs for its residents. Doggett estimates the savings in energy costs will surpass $100,000 per year.

“We are deeply committed to finding ways to expand renewable energy,” Moreau said. “We have got to find a way to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and convert to more renewable energy. We now have 1.5 megawatts of solar power. And these new panels are going to stay for decades into the future.”

Another component of the funding is $1.1 million that will go to the nonprofit’s 15 learning centers, which primarily serve students who qualify for free or reduced lunch. The funding will go to purchase furniture, playgrounds and other necessary supplies for 500 students.

“It recognizes that we need to focus as much of our attention as possible on our youngest neighbors here in this community,” Doggett said. “And give them the opportunities that they need, assure their families can connect to Wi-Fi, and that we have the equipment they need and the furnishings they need to do the learning we want to occur.”

The learning center funds will also help Foundation Communities expand high-speed internet access at its properties to 2,400 residents.

“Especially since Covid, it’s hard to function if you don’t have good internet,” Moreau said. “So being able to offer that and provide that universally at our properties is critical.”

This summer, the nonprofit hopes to break ground on phase two of its North Lamar property. Juniper Creek will add 110 more apartments for low-income families.

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Posted In: Housing, District 7