Housing Authority to Break Ground on New Education Center
/State-of-the-Art Building Will Serve Low-Income Public Housing Residents Center Named After Longtime Board Chair Henry Flores
The Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA) will unveil plans for a new education and training center, The Henry Flores Learning Center at Meadowbrook, at a groundbreaking at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 9, at Meadowbrook Apartments, 1201 W. Live Oak St.
The Henry Flores Learning Center at Meadowbrook is named after HACA’s longtime Board Chair Henry Flores, who resigned his position last month after 14 years on the commission. Flores has been an active, passionate advocate for people and expanding affordable housing in Austin and the state of Texas.
The approximately 10,000 square foot building will provide public housing residents of all ages open access to technology through its computer lab and reading room. Six separate classrooms will provide space for HACA and its community partners to conduct numerous classes and trainings in basic adult education, literacy, English as a Second Language (ESL), General Educational Development (GED), higher education/vocational training, life skills, job training, homeownership information and financial literacy training, among others. Additionally, a small amphitheater can serve as event space for the community.
“The Flores Learning Center is another way HACA is bringing opportunity home to its residents to help them transition to economic independence,” said Michael Gerber, HACA President and CEO. “HACA is committed to making a positive impact toward breaking the cycle of poverty, and the planned programs and classes will inspire self-reliance, optimism and a hopeful future for our residents, both young and old.”
About the Housing Authority of the City of Austin The Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA) is dedicated to cultivating sustainable affordable housing communities and partnerships that inspire self-reliance, growth and optimism. Through the Congressional Housing Act of 1937, which provides federal assistance to local public housing authorities, HACA became the first housing authority in the nation to begin construction of a housing development. Today, HACA has grown to 19 public housing developments with 1,929 units, 22 single-family homes, and administers the Housing Choice Voucher Program to subsidize housing for more than 5,000 low-income individuals and families.
