Housing Authority proposes overhaul of almost 100-year-old East Austin affordable housing complex

March 28, 2026

The Housing Authority of the City of Austin rolled out a plan to remake an aging affordable housing complex in East Austin. The property, on the ground for close to a century, would undergo significant physical changes under the proposal.

Under the current proposal, 16 buildings on the site would be demolished, while 10 buildings deemed historic would be retained and refurbished. HACA frames the approach as a mix of removal and preservation, prioritizing updates to the structures with historic value.

HACA is leading the effort and has outlined the scope of work for the site, though detailed timelines and financing plans have not been finalized. The agency will have to coordinate next steps with city departments and other stakeholders before construction can begin.

The proposal raises questions about how the redevelopment will affect longtime residents and neighborhood character. Preserving 10 historic buildings aims to maintain some of the site’s architectural legacy, while the planned demolitions would remove a sizable portion of the existing built environment.

Before any work starts, the plan will move through review processes that typically include public meetings and agency approvals. Those steps will shape final project details, including phasing, design, and how the authority addresses resident relocation or rehousing during construction.

HACA says the goal is to bring the property up to modern standards and extend its useful life, balancing preservation with new construction. As the proposal advances, the agency and city officials will need to provide more information about schedules, costs, and the expected impacts on current tenants and the surrounding East Austin community.