Residents in East Austin are fighting over a plot of land in their community. A local group wants to turn a private park into low-income housing.

The group, called Community Partnership for the Homeless, is proposing a 110 unit efficiency apartment complex on the land. The units cater to low income families, people with disabilities, senior citizens over 65 and people who were formerly homeless; coming from transitional housing.

“It helps a lot of people you know?” said Queen.

Queen lives in Section Eight housing in Windsor Park, just across the street from the park. She knows the need for more units like hers.

“A lot of people can't afford it and they have to go where they have to go, but I think some people feel bad like they're not wanted here. They go scoot,” said Queen.

However, many homeowners next to the park are fighting the project.

“They're not doing a thing to help the neighborhood. My thing was they should build something useful to help the kids,” said Doug Robins, who opposes the project.

Robins is just one of many homeowners signing a petition to stop the complex.

“I hope they get hundreds of people to sign it, thousands and everybody in this neighborhood does something to fight back,” said Robins.

There are numerous subsidized housing units already in the community, but according to the Partnership for the Homeless, 38% of the Travis County's homeless population still isn't getting the services it needs. 

“I believe it is a way to give back to the neighborhood,” said Arthur Sampson, who owns the land.

Sampson bought the land nearly 10 years ago with the intention to build affordable housing. He says the Community Partnership for the Homeless approached him around January with plans in hand.

“I think they're trying to take a lot of good safety measures in by doing this,” said Sampson.

Sampson says potential residents would undergo screening and background checks as part of the admissions process. The City's Planning Commission will take the matter into consideration on April 22.