Austin is set to gain a new safe haven for survivors of family violence with the planned creation of The Sasha, a 60-unit supportive housing community. As per a City of Austin Housing Department announcement, this development will address the dire needs of those who have borne the brunt of domestic trauma, offering a space for safety and healing.
Mandy DeMayo, the Interim Director for the Housing Department, detailed in a statement acquired by the City of Austin Housing Department that the goal is "providing every resident with a safe and stable home." DeMayo emphasized the importance of "strategic investments" and partnerships to effectively support the development. The project, which is to begin its construction phase in Spring 2025, promises to be a critical asset for aiding the homeless survivors of family violence in Austin.
The Sasha will rise in Southeast Austin at 1325 Grove Boulevard, offering a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom units split between permanent and transitional supportive housing. Julia Spann, CEO of SAFE, declared to the City of Austin Housing Department the significance of the development: "There aren’t similar resources in the community that provide a continuum of care from transitional to permanent supportive housing for survivors of violence and abuse." Spann further added that the larger units aim to keep families united and safe while providing the resources they need to fundamentally rebuild their lives post-violence.
The fiscal blueprint for The Sasha comprises a multi-faceted funding strategy, featuring an $8.495 million loan from the City of Austin’s Rental Housing Development Assistance Program and a $2 million construction loan. According to a City of Austin Housing Department report, the site will also make use of programs like the Affordability Unlocked Program, S.M.A.R.T. Housing Program, and 9% Low-Income Housing Tax Credits to ensure the project has the resources it needs to succeed and serve the community effectively.
Information about the developers and the development project applications can be found on the City of Austin's Housing Department's website, which extends beyond housing to community development and displacement prevention. The agency, alongside the Austin Housing Finance Corporation and SAFE Alliance, is determined to advance strategic housing solutions and services to support the growth of a culture unstained by violence and abuse.
