Austin ISD school employee to receive new home through volunteer efforts

Editor’s Note: The above video shows KXAN News’ top morning headlines from Friday, Sept. 13, 2024.

AUSTIN (KXAN) — An Austin ISD school employee will soon receive their dream home after local credit unions began working with Habitat for Humanity. The wall raising and home build kickoff for the home was Thursday.

The project uses contributions from Austin Telco FCU, Greater Texas Credit Union, UFCU and Velocity Credit Union for construction costs, as well as volunteers from each.

According to a representative for the project, the construction crew and volunteers will work to build the townhome for the new homeowner and her daughter.

“Through this project, these credit unions are collaborating to help Austin Habitat for Humanity build affordable homes for Austin school district employees so they can be part of the community in which they work,” the project representative said.

The townhome is expected to be built in the Montopolis Neighborhood, which is east of Interstate 35 and west of Highway 183.

Over the past four years, the “House that Credit Unions Built” initiative has raised more than $300,000 and built four homes for eleven family members, with the support of more than 1,000 employee volunteers.

The project representative said this would be the fifth house the credit unions have built for Austin Habitat for Humanity.

“As financial institutions, we know that a home is the largest investment someone will make in their lifetime. It is also a tool that allows people to create generational financial security,” said UFCU’s Chris Turnley. “Credit unions were founded to provide access to affordable capital and, in essence, hope. And a home brings hope.”