AUSTIN (KXAN) — June is National Homeownership Month, which focuses on efforts to make owning a home more attainable.
Austin Habitat for Humanity has helped hundreds become homeowners and pushed for more affordable homes. KXAN Midday Anchors Will DuPree and Avery Travis sat down with CEO Michele Anderson to learn about the organization’s recent efforts.
Austin Habitat will build in a new community in eastern Travis County called Whisper Valley, which will include families with multiple income levels. Anderson said it’s the largest geothermal housing project in the nation.
“Energy bills will be less than 10% of what you normally would expect, so it’s a cost-savings for our homeowners,” Anderson explained.
Applications are open for those looking to buy a home in Whisper Valley.
Whisper Valley is part of the Carter Work Project, which was started by Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter. Up to 4,000 people will work together Oct. 26-31 to build 25 homes in one week.
“You enter the site, and you get removed from the world for eight to 10 hours, and just to have a good time, and help lift houses,” Anderson said.
Homeowners will be at the event to talk about their journey to buying a home.
Anderson also spoke about Austin Habitat’s support for two housing bills that the Texas governor could sign into law.
She explained one bill would allow them to build homes closer to shopping centers, while the other “would allow people to have more freedom with their land.”
“The more housing we have will bring the cost down, especially on the affordable side,” Anderson said.