AUSTIN, Texas — The City of Austin is awarding $20 million worth of community contracts to 14 nonprofits to combat residential displacement as well as create economic opportunities for communities affected by new rail and Rapid routes.

The funds are part of a voter-approved $300 million strategy under Project Connect that is expanding upon transportation in the city. This includes new park and rides, new and expanded bus services with all-electric fleets and a new rail service. Funds will support renter/tenant stabilization programs and undertake anti-displacement strategies.

“We look to these awards as effective investments to stabilize vulnerable residents,” said Nefertitti Jackmon, City of Austin community displacement prevention officer. “We’re excited that the community has responded with thoughtfully designed proposals that center community residents and address a myriad of displacement prevention tools to improve household stability and affordability,”

Project Connect focuses on preventing displacement within a mile of the risk areas of transit lines. Impacted communities will have access to funds and support to be announced by the city in the upcoming months.

"This is a historic initiative for our city, to leverage anti-displacement dollars over the next three years, with 14 organizations, addressing the needs of households with children living in poverty, financial literacy programs, expansion of community land trusts, estate planning programs, support for the expansion of home ownership opportunities, and more. Our department would not have been able to release such a robust array of programs all at once and have the same reach and impact as these organizations will have. This is what we can achieve, as a city, when we co-create with community,” Jackmon said.

Some of the nonprofits that received funds through these community contracts include:

• Goodwill Industries of Central Texas’ Connections to Work program received $2 million to provide job training for living-wage positions.
• Communities in School of Central Texas’ Student and Family Assistance will receive $1.5 million to provide financial support to address housing insecurity and help stabilize students’ home lives.
• Austin Voices for Education and Youth’s North Austin/ Rundberg Community Stabilization will receive nearly $1.27 million to help with rent short-term stabilization, community building and social work-case management.