The Sasha to Provide Stability and Healing for Vulnerable Residents

AUSTIN – A groundbreaking ceremony marked the beginning of The Sasha, a 60-unit supportive housing community aimed at helping victims of family violence in Austin. This impactful development is spearheaded by the City of Austin Housing Department and the Austin Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC), in partnership with The SAFE Alliance (SAFE) Affordable Housing Corporation and DMA Development Company.

Construction of The Sasha is set to begin in Spring 2025, with completion expected by Spring 2027. Mandy DeMayo, Interim Director of the Housing Department, highlighted the significance of the project: “We are dedicated to providing every resident with a safe and stable home. The Sasha is a critical step in meeting the needs of our community’s most vulnerable residents—survivors of family violence who are experiencing homelessness. Through partnerships and strategic investments, we are proud to support this development, which will provide housing and the supportive services necessary for long-term stability and healing.”

The Sasha will be located at 1325 Grove Boulevard in District 3, on the SAFE Alliance campus. The housing complex will feature 30 permanent supportive housing units and 30 transitional supportive housing units, offering one-, two-, and three-bedroom layouts. All units will be available to individuals and families earning between 30% and 50% of the median family income (MFI).

SAFE’s CEO, Julia Spann, emphasized the unique importance of The Sasha: “There aren’t similar resources in the community that provide a continuum of care from transitional to permanent supportive housing for survivors of violence and abuse. The Sasha’s 2- and 3-bedroom units will keep families together, safe, and provide them with the resources they need to rebuild their lives after experiencing violence. It truly fills a gap for survivors. Housing is violence prevention. Without housing, survivors are forced back into dangerous situations. Everyone deserves to feel safe in their home. SAFE is grateful to Enterprise, the City of Austin Housing Finance Corporation, Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, Housing Authority of the City of Austin, Austin Community Foundation, Federal Home Loan Bank, and Texas Capital Bank for capital and operating funds for this critically needed apartment community, The Sasha.”

The Sasha received $8.495 million from the City of Austin’s Rental Housing Development Assistance (RHDA) Program, as well as a $2 million construction loan at a 2.5% rate with a two-year term through the Austin Community Foundation’s Housing Accelerator Loan Fund. Additional funding includes $4,679,517 from the 2022 General Obligation Bonds and $3,815,483 from Project Connect funding.

The development will also take advantage of the City’s Affordability Unlocked Program, S.M.A.R.T. Housing Program, and 9% Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC). The Sasha was one of only two applicants to receive 9% LIHTC in 2023 and was among the first recipients of the 2022 General Obligation Bonds. LIHTC is a federal program administered in Texas by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA), which allows developers to sell tax credits to investors, providing crucial equity for the construction of low-income rental housing.

For more information about the developers and to review development project applications, visit www.austintexas.gov/page/current-applications.

SAFE works tirelessly to address and end multigenerational cycles of violence and abuse, including sexual assault, sexual harassment, sex trafficking, and family violence. This development will support individuals and small families transitioning out of homelessness, persons at risk of homelessness, persons fleeing or homeless as a result of domestic violence, sexual assault, or trafficking, as well as individuals aging out of the foster care system.

The Sasha is strategically situated within ½ mile of the Riverside Drive Mobility & Activity Corridor and Riverside Station Activity Center, ensuring residents have access to essential services and transportation. Additionally, the property is only ¼ mile from high-frequency transit service, with multiple nearby bus stops within walking distance.

Violence and abuse can affect anyone. For more information about SAFE and their work, visit safeaustin.org.

The Sasha represents a significant step forward in addressing family violence and homelessness, providing much-needed stability, resources, and a supportive environment for survivors on their journey to recovery and independence.