South Austin Goodwill site oasis of affordable housing

AUSTIN – Foundation Communities, a local nonprofit provider of affordable housing and support services, is planning an oasis of affordability — 109 inexpensive rentals in a pioneering project with Goodwill Industries of Central Texas.

Skyview Studios would cost $15 million to construct and be located at 2800 S. Lamar Blvd.

The project would be built on a site that houses a Goodwill retail store. On the ground floor of its four-story building, Foundation Communities would build a new 14,000-sf Goodwill store. There would also be 30 spaces for apartment residents. The project would also include a Goodwill Job Center.

The units, each about 400 sf, would have projected rents of $400 to $650 a month. Foundation Communities hopes to receive $10 million in federal tax credits to build the $15 million Skyview Studios.

If all goes as planned, construction could start by second quarter 2014, with the project completed in a year.

Read more at Austin American-Statesman.