Meadowlake is located in southeast Austin and surrounded by
parks, schools, shopping, movie theaters, and public transportation. Austin
Habitat was able to purchase land in the desirable community with Affordable
Housing General Obligation Bonds awarded by the City of Austin and its Austin Housing and Finance
Corporation. It will use these funds to develop lots for 25 units of affordable
housing in Meadowlake, and an additional 50 units in the Sendero neighborhood
beginning in 2011.
The dedication
ceremony for the first home completed using Affordable Housing General
Obligation Bonds falls just three days after the City Council's hearing on future
allocation of the funds, an issue that has stirred passionate debate.
The home to
be dedicated is also the first home to have construction costs fully sponsored
by Baptist congregations, including Highland Park
Baptist Church,
First Baptist
Church, University
Baptist Church,
Manchaca Baptist Church,
Church of the Savior, the Sanctuary, Little Mt. Zion, and Austin Baptist Association. Hundreds
of church volunteers worked hand-in- hand with future homeowner Sylvia Rodriguez
to complete the home.
Over the
past 18 months, Rodriguez has provided 400 hours of sweat equity and taken 24
courses in financial literacy and home maintenance to prepare for
homeownership. After living with eight people in a three bedroom, one bathroom
house, she is excited that she and her two children will finally have a place
to call their own. She looks forward to decorating, cooking in her kitchen, and
seeing her son and daughter smile.
"I have always wanted to live on my own," Sylvia says. "I
tried renting an apartment, but the woman accepting applications said I did not
qualify. I cried, but she told me that maybe it happened for a reason- that God
had something better planned. Habitat is it."
This Sunday,
the special Palm Sunday dedication ceremony will celebrate the journey of the
Rodriguez family, who will achieve their dream of homeownership thanks to the
support of sponsors and volunteers. It will include food, refreshments, and
music by Grammy Award winner Cynthia Clawson.
