New affordable housing community scores big award

Bluebonnet Studios, a Foundation Community supportive housing project in South Austin, had an almost immediate effect on the city after opening in February—at least according to the Austin Business Journal, which recently lauded the project with a Community Impact Award.

The Foundation Communities affordable apartment complex is centrally located on the corner of South Lamar and Bluebonnet in South Austin. Well-known local design-build firm Dick Clark + Associates consulted on the design in collaboration with Forge Craft Architecture + Design.

The building makes good use of its vertical-mixed use zoning with a high level of density, heavily reduced parking, an engaging streetscape, and a dedicated bike lane. It features 107 efficiency and one-bedroom units arranged around a multileveled interior courtyard. The exterior of the building, meanwhile, allows engagement with the active street life on South Lamar Boulevard. The street facade features windows set in multicolored niches, each a marker of individual homes.

Bluebonnet Studios’ mission is to provide safe, healthy, and permanent homes for some of Austin’s most vulnerable citizens (previously homeless veterans, mobility-impaired individuals, and the like). Individual units are interwoven with amenity areas that offer social and educational programming, and it provides support services and 24/7 onsite staff.

Foundation Communities also worked with the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians and musician advocacy group ALL ATX to promote units for HAAM musician members who meet the affordable housing income requirements (currently in the $17,000 to $27,000 annual earnings range) required for all Bluebonnet residents.

The complex is currently at capacity and has a waiting list, according to the Foundation Communities website.

• Austin's best new buildings [ABJ]

• Affordable housing for local musicians is a real thing [Curbed Austin]