Criminals, drug traffickers and other law violators often look upon public housing communities as safe havens. They recognize public housing residents have historically been reluctant to exert control over their community. Consequently, undesirables have come to look at some public housing neighborhoods as their "playground." To them, it is a place to buy and sell drugs, intimidate residents, engage in disorderly behavior, settle arguments and hide from the police. Resident watch programs serve to reclaim the neighborhood as a safe place to live and raise children. It sends a clear message to drug dealers and others who prey on the neighborhood their behavior will no longer be tolerated and any illegal or suspicious activities will be reported to the police or other appropriate authorities.

Community Order
In many neighborhoods, the most prevalent problem is the lack of community order. Typically, community disorder includes trash on the streets and yards, graffiti, fights, public drinking, open drug use, loud music and noise, large gatherings of boisterous young adults, urinating in public, unsupervised children, family quarrels and other disturbances.

These conditions often occur because residents and visitors recognize others in the neighborhood will tolerate such behavior and they will not be held accountable for their actions.

To provide safe, quality affordable housing to residents is a core part of HACA's mission. Safety has been a priority for the Housing Authority of the City of Austin since its inception in 1937. Today HACA is making new strides in the arena of resident safety. Following is a brief overview of the key players involved in the housing authority's safety initiatives.

Property Safety
HACA has teamed with the Austin Police Department to ensure optimal safety conditions on all HACA properties. HACA property safety is overseen by the safety/risk coordinator, HACA/APD liaison and property managers.

This group serves as the resource and communication support between HACA residents, HACA staff and the Austin Police Department. Additionally, this group conducts property walks at all HACA residences in order to address safety issues that might otherwise go unnoticed. They follow up to ensure all resident safety concerns (in regards to lighting, fencing, etc.) are addressed in a timely manner.

HACA also employs several off-duty APD officers whose jobs are to follow up on reported activities at specific addresses within the property as reported by the property manager. They also frequently patrol all HACA properties.

The Planning and Development Department makes safety-related property improvements as necessary. They have installed additional lighting and security equipment at various HACA developments. They trim trees and vegetation to increase visibility and erect fencing to deter non-desirable traffic in HACA communities.

HACA residents are responsible for reporting suspicious activity to their property manager. In addition, residents are encouraged to attend Resident Council meetings in order to play a more active role in their safety.

HACA aims to ensure its residents are safe in their homes. If you have a safety issue you would like to discuss you may contact your property manager.