AUSTIN, Texas -- Austin Mayor Steve Adler on Friday spoke to local seniors about a new rent-increase proposal announced at the end of April. Although the elderly and disabled are exempt, many of their family members or friends may be affected.

"I know residents who say if it wasn't for public housing, they would be out on the street. They'd be living under a bridge," said Mary Apostlou, a six-year-resident of Chalmers Courts in East Austin.

Apostlou fell on hard times after a divorce and a disability that left her pinching pennies.

"I'm just fortunate to have a roof over my head," she said.

Now, she serves as president of the Resident's Council at Chalmers Courts, helping Spanish-speaking lower income families.

"Whenever they have questions, I will interpret or look up resources that they can head to," added Apostlou.

Her struggle is all too familiar in a city that continues to grow by the day, further straining the supply of affordable housing.

"We need more flexibility and we need more affordable units at lower rents to make sure that everyone can live in this community of opportunity," said Mike Gerber, president of the Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA).

Housing and Development Secretary Ben Carson proposed a plan last month that would raise what people pay for public housing from 30 percent of household income to 35 percent. It's a move Adler calls counterproductive to fixing a growing issue in Austin.

"These are folks that hardly don't make any money at all and increasing their rent responsibilities, increasing the minimum rent that they have to pay is going to be devastating," Adler said.

The new proposal would affect almost half of the 4.7 million people living in public housing, exempting seniors and the disabled.

Adler spoke with some senior public housing residents Friday to ease their mind about the plan that will be sent to Congress to be approved or denied.

For Apostlou, she's been speaking with worried residents, but remains hopeful that lawmakers will stand up and reject the proposal.

"It's important to have affordable housing for everyone," she said.