Spotlight: Los Portales de Lena Guerrero

The Cesar Chavez Foundation’s (CCF) newest affordable housing community in Austin, Los Portales de Lena Guerrero, features 97 units of affordable housing for families, including four permanent supportive units for transitional-aged youth in partnership with Lifeworks, an Austin-based nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of youth and families from crisis to safety and success.

“We’re pleased to open our second affordable housing community in Austin to address the needs of Latinos and working families. It’s fitting to name this property after Lena Guerrero, a positive force in the community who fought tirelessly for farmworkers and the disenfranchised,” said Paul Chavez, president, Cesar Chavez Foundation. “She embodied the values of our organization’s founder, civil rights and farm labor leader Cesar Chavez.”

The community houses a Si Se Puede Learning Center, CCF’s flagship after school program available to young residents offering services including arts and crafts, after-school homework assistance, social events, annual income tax preparation, notary service, and health fairs. Community amenities include a picnic area, playground, and multi-use community space, as well as resources for transitional-aged youth in the Austin area.

“We are proud to work with LifeWorks in building sustainable and affordable living spaces for families and transitional-aged youth in need of housing. We are setting the bar for what can be achieved both individually and community wide, ”said Alfredo Izmajtovich, executive vice president of housing and economic development for the Cesar Chavez Foundation.

Photo by Ken Bodden

RESIDENT PROFILE

Families and individuals earning between 30 and 60 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI). In addition, at least four units are leased to transition-aged youth referred to the community and served by LifeWorks. The Housing Authority of the City of Austin referred voucher holders to the property as well.

AMENITIES

• On-Site Maintenance

• Playground

• Pool

• After School Programs

• On-Site Management

SUPPORTIVE SERVICES

• Adult, Health and Community Supportive Services

• Partnership with LifeWorks

UNITS & FUNDING

The property includes 97 affordable units developed using 4% low-income housing tax credits from TDHCA, AHFC General Obligation (GO) Bonds, City of Austin CDBG Funds, a Citibank construction and permanent loan, and National Equity Fund (NEF) equity.

CREDITS

Developer: Cesar Chavez Foundation

Syndicator: National Equity Fund

Lender: Citibank

Architect: JHP Architecture

For More Information please contact: Ellen Moskalik, emoskalik@chavezfoundation.org