(Community Matters) From the Meredith Family’s gift of 4 acres to a differently-affordable housing project on the Featherlite Tract on E. MLK, came a gift of $1,300,000+ to the Austin Community Foundation. The Entrepreneurs Foundation helped create the project and has helped manage the process. Late last year, ACF & EF granted $300k to Austin Habitat for Humanity for the creation of a new project to renovate & repair the homes of elderly, longtime residents of the Chestnut Neighborhood.
left to right: ACF’s Ken Gladish, Will Meredith, Rudy Green, Mike Cook, Tommy Meredith, AHFH Michael Willard & project manager, Caroline MarniToday, we met with AHFH staff to tour two completed homes and the next two under construction.
the first home renovated
The home had sat on cedar posts as its foundation for its nearly 80 years. New cement foundation piers were seated, electrical and plumbing replaced, walls & floors repaired, insulation added and the kitchen & bathroom has been renovated.
Mrs. Heard & Tom Meredith
Mrs. Heard has lived in the house since she was 8 years old. At one time during the 40s, 13 adults and children lived in less than 500 square feet. Over time, the home was expanded. She’s thrilled the house is now in a condition to one day leave to her children.
Mrs. Slade
Mrs. Slade is also a very long term Chestnut resident. Got to know her 6 or 7 years ago when we started meeting with Chestnut residents while planning the Featherlite Development. She & Mrs. Ivory have been our most important point of contact in the neighborhood since 2002. They’ve long worked on behalf of the home owners within I-35, MLK, Chestnut Ave. and 12th Street
Austin Habitat’s Michael Willard, Austin Community Foundation CEO/Pres Ken Gladish,Will Meredith, Mrs. Slade and Tommy
the start of Mrs. Slade bathroom renovation
Community Matters 