Giving Back to Central Texas: A Spotlight on Austin Habitat for Humanity
At SmartTouch Interactive, we are proud to highlight organizations making a meaningful impact in the communities where we live and work. During this holiday period, we’re turning the spotlight on Austin Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit dedicated to addressing the critical need for affordable housing across Central Texas.
Building More Than Homes: The Mission Behind Austin Habitat
Established in 1986, Austin Habitat for Humanity has served as a cornerstone for accessible homeownership in the region. The organization has built more than 570 homes, completed over 400 repairs, and engages 10,000+ volunteers each year. Their mission goes beyond construction but offering financial services to provide the foundation for families to achieve long‑term stability and opportunity through homeownership.
As Austin and other metropolitan areas continues to experience rapid growth and rising real estate prices, Austin Habitat remains focused on keeping housing attainable for families earning less than 80% of the area median income; which sits around $120,000 annually for a family of four.
How Austin Habitat Is Addressing the Housing Challenge
What sets Austin Habitat apart is its ability to tailor housing solutions to local market conditions. During a recent episode of SmartTouch ’s Market Pulse podcast, Billy Whipple, Chief Impact Officer at Austin Habitat, shared insight into how the organization adapts to Austin’s competitive housing market.
By offering a mix of condos, townhomes, and single‑family homes, Austin Habitat can serve a wide range of household types and income levels. Their developments are strategically located and designed to be both affordable and sustainable. Creative financing, community partnerships, and support from the City of Austin all play a role in making these projects possible.
The ReStore: Supporting the Mission Through Retail
Another cornerstone of Austin Habitat’s model is the ReStore, a home improvement resale outlet that accepts donated building materials, furniture, appliances, and more. With three locations across the region, ReStore sales help fund new home construction and home repair programs.
Not only is the ReStore a great place to find high‑quality home goods at discounted prices, but it’s also an easy way for the community to contribute directly to the mission. Donating gently used items or shopping the ReStore provides sustainable support for Austin Habitat’s work.
Ways to Get Involved
Whether you’re a builder, real estate developer, business leader, or individual looking to give back, there are multiple ways to engage with Austin Habitat for Humanity:
Volunteer Opportunities: Individuals and corporate teams are welcome to participate in build days…No construction experience required
End‑of‑Year Giving: Donations go directly toward offsetting the cost of homebuilding for qualified families. Partnering for Projects: Builders and developers can collaborate with Austin Habitat to meet affordability goals within planned communities.
ReStore Donations: Donating furniture or materials supports the broader mission while keeping useful items out of landfills.
The Austin Habitat team emphasizes the importance of early involvement in planning stages for developers seeking to include affordability components in their projects. The organization regularly partners with developers and municipalities to bring affordable housing to life across Central Texas.
Learn More: Listen to Market Pulse with Billy Whipple
For a deeper look into how Austin Habitat is innovating in affordable housing and community development, watch or listen to the full conversation with Billy Whipple on our Market Pulse podcast. The episode explores current market challenges, housing design strategies, funding models, and how Austin Habitat is scaling up to meet growing demand.
If you’re considering year‑end giving or looking for meaningful ways to engage your team in the community, we encourage you to explore how you can support Austin Habitat for Humanity.