Housing Resources for Employees
The ability to live within our city allows our teachers and staff to be part of the same community as their students and families, as well as provides the convenience and cost-savings of living close to where they work.
The cost of living in Austin has risen dramatically over the past several years. This list of housing services is intended to assist our employees with options for buying or renting a home. The list is intended to be a starting point and as such is not exhaustive. Click each heading to expand.
- Educator Mortgage Program - Phone: (855) 720-2040
- Mortgage lender Supreme Lending runs a special Educator Mortgage Program. This can help reduce your closing costs and real estate agent fees by up to $800 apiece — or $1,600 in total savings.
- Mortgage lender Supreme Lending runs a special Educator Mortgage Program. This can help reduce your closing costs and real estate agent fees by up to $800 apiece — or $1,600 in total savings.
- Good Neighbor Next Door - Phone: (202) 708-1112
- Teachers (pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade) can contribute to community revitalization while becoming homeowners through HUD's Good Neighbor Next Door Sales Program. HUD offers a substantial incentive in the form of a discount of 50% from the list price of the home. In return, an eligible buyer must commit to live in the property for 36 months as his/her principal residence.
- Teachers (pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade) can contribute to community revitalization while becoming homeowners through HUD's Good Neighbor Next Door Sales Program. HUD offers a substantial incentive in the form of a discount of 50% from the list price of the home. In return, an eligible buyer must commit to live in the property for 36 months as his/her principal residence.
- Home For Heroes - Phone: (866) 443-7637
- Nationwide network of real estate, mortgage, and local business professionals that offer home loan discounts to select buyers.
- Nationwide network of real estate, mortgage, and local business professionals that offer home loan discounts to select buyers.
- Landed - Phone: (650) 451-9075
- Landed helps essential professionals build financial security through a shared equity program they contribute up to $120-150k (depending on region) towards your down payment.
- Landed helps essential professionals build financial security through a shared equity program they contribute up to $120-150k (depending on region) towards your down payment.
- Teacher Next Door - Phone: (800) 989-3550
- Offers grants, down payment assistance and other benefits to the public service professionals who serve our communities.
- Offers grants, down payment assistance and other benefits to the public service professionals who serve our communities.
- Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation - Phone: (877) 508-4611
- TSAHC Homes for Texas Heroes Program offers home loans and down payment assistance for public school teachers and other educators who work for a public school district.
- Bank of England Mortgage – Phone: 1-512-422-4017
Meet your preferred lender! All Austin ISD employees are eligible for their special programs and discounts towards home purchases, all property types and refinances. They work with many realtors who offer to pay for a home warranty and other closing cost items. Bank of England offers free pre-approvals and max sale price analysis, along with free coaching and planning. Click here to apply now!
- Austin Area Apartment Association (AAA) interactive directory for discounts and incentives
- Affordable Housing Online
- Maintains a current list of open Texas Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting lists as well as info on more than 135 affordable rental housing communities containing thousands of affordable apartments across Austin.
- Maintains a current list of open Texas Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting lists as well as info on more than 135 affordable rental housing communities containing thousands of affordable apartments across Austin.
- Austin Habitat for Humanity
- Provides homeownership opportunities for low-income families and individuals.
- Provides homeownership opportunities for low-income families and individuals.
- Blackland Community Development Corporation
- Provides neighborhood-targeted housing and resources for low-income families in a range of settings including single-family homes, duplexes, and an apartment complex.
- Provides neighborhood-targeted housing and resources for low-income families in a range of settings including single-family homes, duplexes, and an apartment complex.
- City of Austin Affordable Housing Search Tool
- Contains a listing of all rental income-restricted affordable housing within the City of Austin. This includes income-restricted units from governmental agencies (Housing Authority City of Austin, Neighborhood Housing and Community Development, Housing Authority of Travis County, and the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs) and some market-rate properties that accept a large number of Housing Choice Vouchers.
- Contains a listing of all rental income-restricted affordable housing within the City of Austin. This includes income-restricted units from governmental agencies (Housing Authority City of Austin, Neighborhood Housing and Community Development, Housing Authority of Travis County, and the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs) and some market-rate properties that accept a large number of Housing Choice Vouchers.
- Foundation Communities:
- Provides an array of housing-related and social services, including rental opportunities, financial coaching, and healthy living initiatives.
- Provides an array of housing-related and social services, including rental opportunities, financial coaching, and healthy living initiatives.
- Frameworks Community Development Corporation:
- Rehabilitates homes to turn them into affordable rentals for low-income families and individuals.
- Rehabilitates homes to turn them into affordable rentals for low-income families and individuals.
- Green Doors - Phone: (512) 469-9130
- Affordable rental housing variety of people struggling with poverty/homelessness, including veterans, persons with disabilities, and single-parent families.
- Affordable rental housing variety of people struggling with poverty/homelessness, including veterans, persons with disabilities, and single-parent families.
- Guadalupe Neighborhood Development Corporation - Phone: (512) 479-6275
- Affordable homeownership and rental opportunities for East Austin families.
- Affordable homeownership and rental opportunities for East Austin families.
- Housing Authority of the City of Austin
- Providing public and subsidized housing rentals.
- Providing public and subsidized housing rentals.
- Mueller Foundation:
- Affordable homeownership opportunities in the Mueller Development. Phone: (512) 900-3683
- Affordable homeownership opportunities in the Mueller Development. Phone: (512) 900-3683
- Saigebrook Development LLC - Phone: (512) 383-5470
- Numerous affordable rental properties in town; must apply separately for the different properties.
Education & Counseling
- Frameworks Community Development Corporation - Phone (512) 385-1500
- Frameworks CDC educates families not only about buying a home, but keeping it through a comprehensive pre-purchase homebuyer education program utilizing the best practices of NeighborWorksAmerica®, Realizing the American Dream.
- Frameworks CDC educates families not only about buying a home, but keeping it through a comprehensive pre-purchase homebuyer education program utilizing the best practices of NeighborWorksAmerica®, Realizing the American Dream.
- City of Austin Home Fraud Help
- Homeowners can be vulnerable to predatory investors and mortgage fraud. Beware of the red flags when it comes to housing scams. Learn more about Fair Housing, home owner protections and how to take action in the face of housing discrimination.
- Homeowners can be vulnerable to predatory investors and mortgage fraud. Beware of the red flags when it comes to housing scams. Learn more about Fair Housing, home owner protections and how to take action in the face of housing discrimination.
- City of Austin Home Buyer Education
- Homebuyer education classes inform first-time buyers on the following topics: money management, understanding credit, how to secure a mortgage loan and how to shop for a home. Upon completing the program, you will receive an official Certificate of Completion.
- Homebuyer education classes inform first-time buyers on the following topics: money management, understanding credit, how to secure a mortgage loan and how to shop for a home. Upon completing the program, you will receive an official Certificate of Completion.
- Clearpoint CCS - Phone: (800) 750-2227
- A non-profit, nationwide, company that provides debt/credit counseling, debt management plans, mortgage default and foreclosure counseling, reverse mortgage counseling, pre and post bankruptcy counseling, pre and post home buying counseling, rental counseling and a whole list of financial education classes. Most of these at no cost for the community.
- A non-profit, nationwide, company that provides debt/credit counseling, debt management plans, mortgage default and foreclosure counseling, reverse mortgage counseling, pre and post bankruptcy counseling, pre and post home buying counseling, rental counseling and a whole list of financial education classes. Most of these at no cost for the community.
- Frameworks Community Development Corporation – Phone: (512) 385-1500
- HUD approved agency that provides home ownership counseling and education programs.
- HUD approved agency that provides home ownership counseling and education programs.
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BCL of Texas – Phone (512) 912-9884
BCL is a HUD approved counseling agency dedicated to helping you achieve homeownership and build your assets. Counselors are available free of cost to help you build a customized plan to achieve homeownership. BCL also provides a homebuyer education course (with HUD approved curriculum) either online self-paced or through their virtual/in-person classes for $99.
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Foundation99 – Phone 1-888-599-4245
Ayuda en Espanol: https://foundation99.org/espanol/
Foundation 99 is Austin ISD Financial Wellness Benefit which provides employees with Unlimited, Confidential, No Cost, 1:1 Financial Coaching and powerful online financial tools in English and Spanish. Foundation 99 coaching and tools can assist employee with topics such as: Making a Major purchase, Refinancing, Budgeting, Debt Reduction, Credit Improvement, Emergency Savings, Student Loan Repayment and More. Foundation 99 coaches are available for phone and virtual appointments. Schedule at: https://foundation99.org/coaching/
Downpayment, Closing Costs & Financial Assistance
- ATX Benjamin Realty Group with Central Metro Realty is offering all district staff a choice of either a $4,000 closing credit OR a $4,000 cash rebate on all new home construction including existing inventory homes. This is on top of ALL existing new home builder incentives. We offer expert guidance and access to all the best specials in the area including apartment locating services. Please contact David at 512-423-3582 or email atxbenjamin@gmail.com for more information.
- Austin Area Urban League, Inc. - Phone: (512) 478-7176
- Down payment and closing costs assistance.
- Down payment and closing costs assistance.
- Austin Affordable Housing Corporation - Phone: (512) 477-4488
- Provides quality, affordable housing opportunities for low- to moderate-income families in Austin as well as provide financial literacy and down payment assistance.
- Provides quality, affordable housing opportunities for low- to moderate-income families in Austin as well as provide financial literacy and down payment assistance.
- Austin Community Land Trust
- When you partner with Austin Community Land Trust (ACLT) to buy a home, you own the house and lease the land.
- When you partner with Austin Community Land Trust (ACLT) to buy a home, you own the house and lease the land.
- Austin Down Payment Assistance Program
- Offered through the City of Austin, income-eligible first-time homebuyers may qualify for down payment assistance. You will have to complete homebuyer education classes to learn more about the home buying process before you're eligible for assistance. The program covers down payment and closing costs, including pre-paid expenses associated with home buying. Homebuyers may qualify for up to $40,000 in assistance. Note: Sales price of the home cannot exceed $380,000.
- Offered through the City of Austin, income-eligible first-time homebuyers may qualify for down payment assistance. You will have to complete homebuyer education classes to learn more about the home buying process before you're eligible for assistance. The program covers down payment and closing costs, including pre-paid expenses associated with home buying. Homebuyers may qualify for up to $40,000 in assistance. Note: Sales price of the home cannot exceed $380,000.
- Austin Habitat for Humanity - Phone: (512) 472-8788
- Provides opportunities for families to own their own homes.
- Provides opportunities for families to own their own homes.
- Austin Housing Finance Corporation - Phone: (512) 974-3100
- Down payment Assistance Program - assistance with down payments and eligible assistance costs.
- Down payment Assistance Program - assistance with down payments and eligible assistance costs.
- Bank of England Mortgage – Phone 1-512-422-4017
Meet your preferred lender! All Austin ISD employees are eligible for their special programs and discounts towards home purchases, all property types and refinances. They work with many realtors who offer to pay for a home warranty and other closing cost items. Bank of England offers free pre-approvals and max sale price analysis, along with free coaching and planning. Click here to apply now!
- Business & Community Lenders (BCL) of Texas - Phone: (512) 912-9884
- Business & Community Lenders (BCL) of Texas is a statewide nonprofit economic development organization that focuses on helping individuals buy homes, finance businesses and learn how to manage money.
- Business & Community Lenders (BCL) of Texas is a statewide nonprofit economic development organization that focuses on helping individuals buy homes, finance businesses and learn how to manage money.
- Capital Area Housing Finance Corporation – Phone: (512) 347-9953
- Provides assistance to home buyers in the eight counties surrounding Travis County.
- Provides assistance to home buyers in the eight counties surrounding Travis County.
- Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs - Phone: (800) 792-1119
- Provides below-market interest rate mortgage loans to people who are purchasing their first home or who have not owned a home in the past three years.
- Provides below-market interest rate mortgage loans to people who are purchasing their first home or who have not owned a home in the past three years.
- Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation – Phone: (512) 477-3555
- State-sponsored housing corporation that provides mortgage loans and other home ownership assistance.
- State-sponsored housing corporation that provides mortgage loans and other home ownership assistance.
- Travis County Housing Finance Corporation - Phone: (512) 854-9116
- Mortgage Loan and Down Payment Assistance Program.
- Mortgage Loan and Down Payment Assistance Program.
- Texas Homeowner Assistance – Phone: (833) 651-3874
- This program gives eligible homeowners grants to cover past due mortgage payments, up to three (3) months of future mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, homeowner/condo association fees, past due utility payments, and up to three (3) months of prospective utility payments. Eligible utility payments include electricity, natural gas, propane, water, and wastewater. The program is administered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) with funding provided by the Homeowner Assistance Fund under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
- This program gives eligible homeowners grants to cover past due mortgage payments, up to three (3) months of future mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, homeowner/condo association fees, past due utility payments, and up to three (3) months of prospective utility payments. Eligible utility payments include electricity, natural gas, propane, water, and wastewater. The program is administered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) with funding provided by the Homeowner Assistance Fund under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
Foreclosure Prevention
- Clearpoint CCS - Phone: (800) 750-2227
- A non-profit, nationwide, company that provides debt/credit counseling, debt management plans, mortgage default and foreclosure counseling, reverse mortgage counseling, pre and post bankruptcy counseling, pre and post home buying counseling, rental counseling and a whole list of financial education classes. Most of these at no cost for the community. We do one-on-ones here in the office, group classes, over the phone or even online.
- A non-profit, nationwide, company that provides debt/credit counseling, debt management plans, mortgage default and foreclosure counseling, reverse mortgage counseling, pre and post bankruptcy counseling, pre and post home buying counseling, rental counseling and a whole list of financial education classes. Most of these at no cost for the community. We do one-on-ones here in the office, group classes, over the phone or even online.
- FrameWorks Community Development Corporation – Phone:(512) 385-1500
- Provides free foreclosure prevention counseling to families at risk of foreclosure and intervenes with banks to help families avoid foreclosure.
- Provides free foreclosure prevention counseling to families at risk of foreclosure and intervenes with banks to help families avoid foreclosure.
- Homeowner Preservation Foundation- Phone: (888) 995-HOPE
- Free telephone- and web-based foreclosure prevention counseling for people who are having trouble paying their mortgages.
- Free telephone- and web-based foreclosure prevention counseling for people who are having trouble paying their mortgages.
- HUD-approved housing counseling agencies
- List of HUD-approved agencies that provide information and assistance on avoiding foreclosure. The current listing for Travis County includes: CCCS of Greater Dallas- Austin and Frameworks Community Development Corporation.
- List of HUD-approved agencies that provide information and assistance on avoiding foreclosure. The current listing for Travis County includes: CCCS of Greater Dallas- Austin and Frameworks Community Development Corporation.
- Making Home Affordable
- Federal program that helps homeowners reduce their monthly mortgage payments to more affordable levels through the Home Affordable Refinance Program and the Home Affordable Modification Program.
- Federal program that helps homeowners reduce their monthly mortgage payments to more affordable levels through the Home Affordable Refinance Program and the Home Affordable Modification Program.
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BCL of Texas – Phone (512) 912-9884
BCL is a HUD approved counseling agency available to provide you with information and guidance to prevent foreclosure. The counselors will help you understand your mortgage default and communicate with your mortgage servicer to help bring your mortgage current or figure out what’s next. By appointment only, help available free of cost.
Housing Repair
- Austin Habitat for Humanity - (512) 472-8788
- Home Repair Program for exteriors only.
- Home Repair Program for exteriors only.
- Austin Area Urban League, Inc. - Phone: (512) 478-7176
- Emergency repairs to homeowners with low income. Repairs include plumbing, electrical, roofing and heating.
- Emergency repairs to homeowners with low income. Repairs include plumbing, electrical, roofing and heating.
- Austin Energy – Phone: (512) 482-5346
- Free home-energy improvements to customers with low-to-moderate incomes. Improvements are aimed to reduce energy costs.
- Free home-energy improvements to customers with low-to-moderate incomes. Improvements are aimed to reduce energy costs.
- Austin Housing Finance Corporation - Phone: (512) 974-3100
- Homeowner Rehabilitation Loan Program: Provides low-interest loans to make substantial repairs to homes.
- Homeowner Rehabilitation Loan Program: Provides low-interest loans to make substantial repairs to homes.
- Travis County - Housing Division – Phone: (512) 386-9145
- Volunteer-based home repair services. Exterior and interior repairs.
- Volunteer-based home repair services. Exterior and interior repairs.
- Hands on Housing – Phone: (512) 386-9145
- Volunteer-based home repair services. Exterior and interior repairs.
- Volunteer-based home repair services. Exterior and interior repairs.
- Home Repair – Meals on Wheels Central Texas – (512) 476-6325
- Provides minor home safety repairs and is reserved for clients of Meals on Wheels Central Texas.
- Provides minor home safety repairs and is reserved for clients of Meals on Wheels Central Texas.
- Rebuilding Together Austin – Phone: (512) 993-8230
- Providing critical repairs, accessibility modifications and energy efficient upgrades to low-income homes and community centers at no cost.
- Providing critical repairs, accessibility modifications and energy efficient upgrades to low-income homes and community centers at no cost.
- The Texas Veterans Land Board – Phone: (800) 252-VETS (8387)
- Home improvement loans of up to $25,000 for veterans to make substantial repairs to their primary residence.
- Home improvement loans of up to $25,000 for veterans to make substantial repairs to their primary residence.
- Travis County - Housing Division - Health and Human Services - Phone: (512) 854- 7250
- Home repair and weatherization.
- Home repair and weatherization.
- USDA Rural Development Program – Georgetown Office – Phone: (512) 863-6502
- Home repair grants for senior citizens and home repair loans for low income residents. The program focuses on the rural areas of Travis, Williamson and Burnett County.
- Foundation Communities – Phone: (512) 610-4010
- Subsidized private rental housing.
- Subsidized private rental housing.
- Housing Authority of Travis County – Phone: (512) 854-8245
- Public housing, Section 8 vouchers, Lease- Purchase.
- Public housing, Section 8 vouchers, Lease- Purchase.
- Housing Authority of the City of Austin – Phone: (512) 477-4488
- Public housing, Section 8 vouchers
- Austin Tenants' Council - Phone: (512) 474-7006
- Assistance with complaints regarding discrimination in the rental, sale, financing or appraising of housing.
- Assistance with complaints regarding discrimination in the rental, sale, financing or appraising of housing.
- Predatory Lease Agreements - Find out what to look out for before signing a lease agreement to beware of predatory clauses and arrangements.
- Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid - Phone: (800) 369-9270
- Legal representation with housing problems.
In Texas, an oral or written rental agreement is considered as valid when a landlord accepts regular payments for inhabiting a property. According to Texas law, a rental agreement allows certain rights to the tenant, such as the right to a habitable dwelling and the right to take at least one form of alternative action.
Landlords also have certain rights, such as the right to collect rent on a regular basis and deduct for costs from damages that are beyond normal wear and tear. Learn More.
- Austin Resource Center for the Homeless (ARCH) – Phone: (512)-305-4100
- A daytime resource center and overnight shelter for homeless individuals.
- A daytime resource center and overnight shelter for homeless individuals.
- Blackland Community Development Corporation - Phone:(512) 220-8751
- Transitional housing for homeless single or married parents.
- Transitional housing for homeless single or married parents.
- Foundation for the Homeless – Phone: (512) 453-6570
- Provision of shelter and case management.
- Provision of shelter and case management.
- Lifeworks - Phone: (512) 735-2100
- Supportive Housing Program: Apartment-based residential program for homeless youth (and their children), ages 16-24, who are employed.
- Supportive Housing Program: Apartment-based residential program for homeless youth (and their children), ages 16-24, who are employed.
- Salvation Army Social Services Center – Austin Shelter for Women and Children - Phone: (512) 933-0600
- Provides transitional housing for homeless women with children and homeless single women.
- Area Agency on Aging of the Capital Area – Phone: (888) 622-9111
- Information referral for older adults including housing options.
- Information referral for older adults including housing options.
- Austin Integral Care – Phone: (512) 472-4357
- Assistance identifying subsidies, grants, and rental locations to assist adults with mental illness and locating temporary and long-term housing.
- Assistance identifying subsidies, grants, and rental locations to assist adults with mental illness and locating temporary and long-term housing.
- Accessible Housing Austin
- Provides housing for a diverse range of Austinites with disabilities, including adults and children with mobility impairments, visual impairment, chronic illness, and other physical and emotional disabilities.
- Provides housing for a diverse range of Austinites with disabilities, including adults and children with mobility impairments, visual impairment, chronic illness, and other physical and emotional disabilities.
- Austin Housing Finance Corporation – Phone: (512) 974-3100
- Barrier removal assistance for homeowners and renters who are elderly or have mobility impairments and low income.
- Barrier removal assistance for homeowners and renters who are elderly or have mobility impairments and low income.
- Caritas of Austin - Phone:(512) 479-4610
- Permanent supportive housing and rapid rehousing services for people experiencing homelessness.
- Permanent supportive housing and rapid rehousing services for people experiencing homelessness.
- Family Eldercare – Phone: (512) 450-0844
- Transitional shelter for older adults and people with disabilities who are in need of temporary transitional housing. Family Eldercare Gardens also offers an affordable senior housing community in Central East Austin called Lyons Gardens.
- Transitional shelter for older adults and people with disabilities who are in need of temporary transitional housing. Family Eldercare Gardens also offers an affordable senior housing community in Central East Austin called Lyons Gardens.
- Jeremiah Program - Phone:(512) 770-9036
- Housing and resources for low-income single mothers.
- Housing and resources for low-income single mothers.
- LifeWorks Austin:
- Pathway housing for runaway and homeless youth, young parents, and youth who are aging out of the foster care system.
- Pathway housing for runaway and homeless youth, young parents, and youth who are aging out of the foster care system.
- Mary Lee Foundation - Phone: (512) 443-5777
- Provides affordable rental housing for people with physical or mental disabilities, and people with very low income.
- Provides affordable rental housing for people with physical or mental disabilities, and people with very low income.
- Mobile Loaves & Fishes - Phone:(512) 328-7299
- Provides supportive housing and community for people experiencing homelessness.
- Provides supportive housing and community for people experiencing homelessness.
- Project Transitions Inc – Phone: (512) 454-8646
- Transitional, subsidized housing for people living with HIV/AIDS and their families at various locations.
- Transitional, subsidized housing for people living with HIV/AIDS and their families at various locations.
- Rebekah Baines Johnson Center - Phone:(512) 476-6051
- Independent, affordable living center for seniors (62+) and people with disabilities.
- Independent, affordable living center for seniors (62+) and people with disabilities.
- SAFE Alliance - Phone:(512) 267-7233
- Offering transitional and permanent supportive housing for individuals and families escaping abuse and violence.
- Offering transitional and permanent supportive housing for individuals and families escaping abuse and violence.
- Saint Louise House - Phone:(512) 302-0027
- Stable housing and wrap-around services for single mothers experiencing homelessness.
- Stable housing and wrap-around services for single mothers experiencing homelessness.