HACA MEDIA KIT

One Sheeters

1937
The Housing Authority of the City of Austin is created by resolution from the mayor and city council

1938
LBJ gives a famous “Tarnish on the Violet Crown” radio address to Austin citizens

1938
HACA is the first housing authority in the United States to actually begin construction -- Santa Rita Courts

1939
First residents move into Santa Rita Courts

1939
HACA’s second development is completed and residents move into Rosewood Courts

1940
The last of the three original developments, Chalmers Courts, is ready for occupancy

1946
Public housing law amended to permit building of temporary housing for veterans in cooperation with federal government

1949
U.S. Housing Act of 1949 amends 1937 Act to revive federally aided public housing and provides separate slum clearance and redevelopment program

1955
HACA annual report notes 100 percent occupancy during the year

1958
Well Baby Clinics conducted at four HACA developments five times a week

1961
HACA proposes plans to the Austin City Council to construct Lakeside Apartments

1962
Planning grant for Lakeside Apartments approved

1963
LBJ moves to enact housing programs drafted by the Kennedy Administration

1965
LBJ signs housing bill that includes the first rent subsidies program

Boy Scout Troop organized at Santa Rita Courts

1966
HACA leads the nation in developing housing for the elderly and handicapped at Lakeside and Salina

1967
Lakeside Apartments open during annual Senior Recognition Week

1968
Housing and Community De velopment Act of 1968 signed into law by LBJ

HUD creates Modernization Program to satisfy need for major repairs at public housing authorities

1970
Brooke/Sparkman amendments become effective, Brooke Amendment provides that no family living in federally-subsidized housing need pay more than 25 percent of its income for rent

Sparkman Amendment provides subsidy funds for maintenance of federally subsidized developments

Proposed construction of 1,000 units doubles size of HACA

1971
HACA receives money for upgrading Booker T. Washington and Meadowbrook Courts

1972
HACA Social Services Program is first for public housing residents in Texas

1974
Section 8 of Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 creates leased housin programs utilizing the private sector

1976
HUD institutes Performance Funding Subsidy with operating subsidies for federal development based on performance of local authority

1981
Housing and Community Development Act of 1981 establishes new rent levels of 30 percent of resident’s income for public housing

Comprehensive Improvement Assistance Program enacted

HACA begins Family Self-Help Program

1982
Chalmers Courts receives $2.8 million renovation

1983
Fire sprinkler and smoke detection systems installed at Lakeside Apartments

HACA adds Coronado Hills to rent rolls

South Austin Youth Services begin operation in Meadowbrook Courts

1984
HACA has 121 units under lease in Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation Program

1985
Meadowbrook Courts and Bouldin Oaks Child Care Centers are licensed

1986
Rosewood Courts Child Care Center licensed

1987
HACA institutes Citywide Advisory Board of Residents

Congress passes ousing and Community Development Act of 1987, giving the nation its first freestanding housing legislation in seven years

1988
Opening of Youth Advocacy Office at Chalmers Courts

HACA removed from HUD list of Financially Troubled Public Housing Authorities

HUD awards HACA as Most Improved Large Public Housing Authority in the Nation

1994
The Family Self-Sufficiency Program founded

1996
The Economic Opportunity Resource Center opens at Booker T. Washington

1997
Housing Operations management reorganized and progressed to an on-site management system

Over 100 different organizations partnered with HACA to form the Welfare-to-Work Coalition

1998
HACA partners with the Boys and Girls Club of Austin

1999
Housing Operations management reorganizaed and progressed to an on-site management system

HACA receives recognition from HUD as being a High Performer in Management Operations

HACA implements the Shleter Plus Care Program to assist homeless persons

Goodwill opens employment and training center at Rosewood Courts

The Austin Academy opens job skills/GED classes at Georgian Manor

2000
The Section 8 Program expands its capacity by 55 percent

The Austin Affordable Housing Corporation is formed to administer Section 8 HAP contracts for the state of Texas

2001
HACA/AAHC Scholarship Program founded 15 scholarships awarded to residents

HACA establishes partnership with Communities in Schools to assist residents in school performance and drop-out prevention

The Section 8 Program doubles in size

The FSS Program increases enrollment by nearly 50 percent from the previous year

HACA scores in the High Performing Category during the USPS inspections from HUD

More than $1.1 million is secured in grant funding for the fiscal year

2002
Ninth Grade Incentive Program is created to ease the transition from junior high to high school, keeping both groups active throughout the summer to reduce drop-out rate

Complete renovation is done on HACA’s three oldest sites, Rosewood Courts, Chalmers Court and Santa Rita Courts

Housing Choice Voucher Program wait list opens up for the first time since 1992, closing with over 6,500 applicants

2003
A Moderate Rehabilitation Single Room Occupancy program is put in place to provide rental assistance to 50 homeless individulas, and HACA receives additional funding under the Shelter Plus Care grant to house another 20 homeless families

HACA initiates the internal Upfront Income Verification project in response to HUD’s challenge to reduce income and rent errors by 50 percent by 2005

2004
A Home Ownership Program is implemented, offering a maximum of $10,000 down payment assistance to those qualifying

SHCC, HACA’s nonprofit subsidiary, is awarded the performance based contract for Section 8 oversight for the State of Arkansas