AUSTIN, Texas — Unaffordability for housing has been an ongoing issue as Central Texas continues to grow. Due to that, the City of Austin is applying for $10 million dollars in federal funding to help.
Through the U.S. Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) 2023 Pathways to Removing Obstacles (PRO) Housing Grant, the funding will build and enhance strategies to remove housing obstacles for the Austin community.
Someone who has experienced unaffordable housing is Isabel Webb Carey, a student at the University of Texas at Austin. The senior says she started an Instagram account to show other students what's available on West Campus and to find housing accommodations near the university.
"It isn't always the easiest process to go through as I have had personal experience with. So that really drove me to want to help my fellow students and make this information more accessible," said Webb Carey.
RELATED: 'It's just really unacceptable' | UT students experience more move-in troubles at off-campus complex
The Instagram account, UT Housing Transparency, is a student-led group with the intention of improving the accessibility of housing information to other Longhorns. The account is not affiliated with the school, but instead just wants to be a helping hand.
"We've talked about zoning laws, we've talked about the livability standards, mold, what to do, how to communicate with your landlord all kind of things you get to find out through experience," said Carey.
Carey says students have a number of things to worry about whether it's student loans or the student debt crisis and having to worry about another layer, expensive rent, is stressful.
"You're looking at, you know, paying $1,200, $1,300 up to $2,000 a month. That's the upper end. But, you know, these ridiculous prices, which for most people that is just unaffordable," Carey said.
The HUD Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing (PRO Housing) funding opportunity will provide $85 million in funding for communities across the country to identify and remove barriers to affordable housing production and preservation. If approved for Austin, $10 million will be given out over six years.
If Austin were to be approved for funding, Carey says she would love to see more smart housing on West Campus, which is an affordable option for low-income students and the surrounding areas. Also, acknowledging the students who commute to campus and how to make travel easier for them.
"They're an increasing population and seeing how their transport needs is super important and how we can provide resources on campus to support them. I mean, student success is highly correlated with how close they live to their school and that is the ideal option," said Carey.
The city's application for federal funding is due October 30. As part of the grant application, the city of Austin's housing department is seeking community input.
The deadline to share your input is October 25.