An Affordable Housing option for the Disabled in Austin

What is “Accessible Housing Austin!” and can they help me secure affordable living arrangements?

Author: Attorney Lonnie Roach

People with disabilities have special needs and requirements when considering rental of a house or apartment.

Some people have trouble getting around and rely on wheelchairs, so it’s essential for a home to have wide doorways and be stair-free.

Others might need lower countertops or specific features for hearing or vision challenges. Plus, location and cost are big factors. It’s crucial to be near public transport, healthcare, shopping, and other services, and to find a place that someone on disability benefits can actually afford.

Accessible Housing Austin! is a nonprofit founded in 2005 by a group of advocates who recognized the critical need for affordable housing for people with disabilities.

Accessible Housing Austin! is dedicated to supporting children and adults facing various physical and mental challenges. Their mission focuses on offering affordable, accessible, and integrated housing options for low-income individuals with disabilities. AHA! firmly believes that everyone deserves a home that is safe, decent, and promotes independence and dignity, while also being affordable and enabling participation in the community. The organization started with the generous donation of two houses and has since positively impacted the lives of over forty individuals.

Homes managed by AHA! include these disability accessible features:

   Wide doorways
  Ramps
  Hardwood, tiled or laminate flooring
  Roll-under sinks
  Lowered counter-tops
  Levered door handles
  Roll-in showers where possible
  Smoke detectors for people with hearing and visual impairments

If you have been denied disability don’t give up! Contact a Disability lawyer at 512-454-4000 for a free consultation and get the benefits you deserve.

Rent is proportional to income and AHA! accepts vouchers such as Housing Choice for rental assistance.

In addition, the homes are energy efficient, making them even more affordable. Individuals and families must have incomes under 50% of Austin’s Median Family Income to be eligible for housing.

The income guidelines for 2022 are as follows:

Household Size
Maximum Monthly Income
Maximum Annual Income

1 Person
$3,220
$38,650

2 People
$3,679
$44,150

3 People
$4,137
$49,650

4 People
$4,595
$55,150

5 People
$4,966
$59,600

AHA! has no current vacancies, but with the help of several government agencies and non-profit organizations, early next year it will break ground on a new 27-unit apartment complex called Briarcliff that is expected to house between 35 and 60 individuals.

The land is owned by The Housing Authority of the City of Austin which will lease the property to Accessible Housing Austin!.

Units will have one or two bedrooms; half will be accessible and half will be adaptable.

Housing that is considered “accessible” meets specific standards for accommodating individuals with disabilities. While these standards can differ by state, they generally include features like wider doorways and spaces for wheelchairs, lower countertops, accessible seating in bathrooms, grab bars, knee clearance under sinks and counters, and easy-to-use levers and handles on doors and switches. “Adaptable” housing includes all the elements of accessible units but allows for certain features to be omitted or hidden if they are not needed by the occupant. Adaptable units can resemble standard housing or be customized to suit individual needs when occupied. Located about a mile north of the Mueller development and close to two bus routes, Briarcliff will provide convenient access to employment opportunities, grocery stores, healthcare facilities, and other essential services. Accessible Housing Austin! aims to provide up to six homes for extremely low-income individuals with mental and physical disabilities transitioning from institutions, as well as youth with disabilities leaving foster care. The organization also plans to offer financial management courses in collaboration with the Financial Literacy Coalition of Central Texas.

The waitlist for Briarcliff will open when construction begins.

AHA! only has homes with 2 or 3 bedrooms and gives priority to households needing the specific modifications a given available unit provides. To inquire about housing or request more information, call 512-640-7781 or email AHA! at: [email protected].

Disability benefits are an important source of income for those who are unable to work. If you not able to work due to accident or illness, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability or Long Term Disability benefits. If you have applied for benefits and been denied, contact the attorneys at Bemis, Roach and Reed for a free consultation. Call 512-454-4000 and get help NOW.