AUSTIN, Texas — A community in Northeast Austin dedicated to helping combat the homelessness crisis is adding 1,400 additional housing units starting this summer.  

It currently houses 220 formerly homeless people in the first phase of Community First! Village. A development of Mobile Loaves & Fishes, it is now expanding with two additional new phases to its village, bringing the total to 1,900 homes.

“A time when the conversation about homelessness is elevated at the highest level, to help our community to see that goodness is coming, and that we are building an extraordinary community for our neighbors,” Amber Fogarty, President of Mobile Loaves and Fishes said.

The additional housing is part of a 10-year plan that began in 2017. The additional phases will bring 1,400 additional homes on 127 new acres of property.

"With the announcement of the 1,400-person expansion, think about both in terms of the identification that the need that exists in our city, as well as the willingness to step up at scale, and actually do something about this challenge,” Mayor Adler said. “Community First Village is a vital and important piece of the puzzle in addressing the diversity of our neighbors. I am a true believer in the transformational power of community."