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| Food Insecurity Among Texas Seniors |
Texas has one of the highest rates of food insecurity among seniors in the U.S. according to the report " Seniors at Risk of Hunger: State by State" by the Meals on Wheels Association of America. Texas ranked fourth highest in food insecurity, joining several other southern states on the top ten list. Nationally, the report noted an increase in hunger among older adults since the first report in 2001. |
| Texas Housing Market Fares Better Than Most | | The Harvard Kennedy School takes a look at the "worst housing correction in more than 60 years" in a new report "The State of the Nation's Housing 2010." According to the study, about one in seven homeowners owed more on their mortgages than their homes were worth by the close of 2009. The share of households spending more than half their income on housing was higher than ever due to a depressed job market.
The Lonestar state fared better than others. While Texas accounted for 6.8% of all US households with a mortgage in 2009, our state accounted for only 3.2% of all U.S. loans in foreclosure. Texas' foreclosure rate of 2.1% was among the lowest of the states. |
| Recession Inspires People to Volunteer | |
 The current recession seems to have inspired more Americans to help out their neighbors. The study "Volunteering in America 2010" by the Corporation for National & Community Service found a 26.8% increase in the nation-wide volunteer rate. This is the largest single year increase in the number of volunteers since 2003. Data for the report was collected through monthly surveys in partnership with the U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Austin's five-county metro area ranked 36th in volunteerism out of the fifty-five largest metro areas in the U.S. The local rankings were based on three year averages. |
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Door to Door Census Count | 
U.S. Census enumerators will continue visiting households that did not return their Census form through July 10th. Early returns of Census data show a 20% increase in the Texas population. The Texas Tribune has on-line resources for accessing some of the early release data. |
| Follow CAN's Tweets |  Get short, timely updates on meetings, research and more on CAN_Austin. |
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| Open House on City's Proposed $85 Million Mobility Bond Package | | The City of Austin will host an Open House on a proposed $85 million mobility bond package on Thursday, June 17th from 4 to 8 p.m. at City Hall. The Open House will include maps, visuals and graphics depicting both short and long term transportation solutions. If approved by Council, the mobility bond package could go before Austin voters in November. Learn more about the bond package at www.austinmobility.com. |
| Comment on City's Plans for $24 million in Housing Programs | | The City of Austin Neighborhood Housing and Community Development Department has released a proposed FY 2010-2011 Action Plan for spending $23,898,932 in local and federal housing funds. This year's Action Plan includes a section on Permanent Supportive Housing in response to the City Council's March 25th resolution directing staff to prioritize funding resources for this type of housing. Permanent supportive housing is affordable housing for very low income individuals and families that is linked to a range of support services.
NHCD will accept comments from the public through July 12th and the Austin City Council will hold a public hearing on the document on Thursday, June 24th. Council will consider approving the Action Plan at its July 29th meeting. |
| Comment on Travis County Plans for CDBG Projects |  Travis County invites the public to comment on the proposed Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) projects for $942,749 available from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. These funds must benefit Travis County low- to moderate-income residents living in the unincorporated areas of the county and must be spent between October 1, 2010 and September 30, 2011.
Beginning June 23, 2010, a draft of the proposed list of projects will be available for download on the CDBG page. Attend a public hearing on June 29th or July 13th or submit comments in writing from June 23rd through July 22nd. To learn more visit www.co.travis.tx.us/CDBG |
| Give Input to City Budget Cuts Online |
The City of Austin has launched an innovative online tool for the public to provide comment about the 2010-2011 Budget. Community members will be able to vote on priorities for unmet service demands and potential service reductions as the City works toward formulating its budget for next fiscal year. The public will also have the chance to add its suggestions to the list of options.
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| Conference for Agencies Applying for HUD Continuum of Care Funds | | Agencies interested in applying for HUD funding to provide transitional or permanent housing to people who are homeless are invited to attend an Education Conference on Tuesday, June 29th. Both those renewing their applications and new applicants are encouraged to attend the Conference from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at Austin Travis Council Integral Care, 1430 Collier Street, Conference Room 3A.
All applicants are required to complete and return a Notice of Intent to Sam Woollard at sam7@sbxglobal.net by July 6th. |
| Summer Classes and Resources for Parents at ABC |
 During the months of June and July, Any Baby Can will host a number of parent empowerment and education groups, family events, and support groups. Courses are available for new parents, caregivers, dads, teens, and children. Some classes are available in English and Spanish in various locations throughout the community. For complete details, visit www.abcaus.org or call 512-454-3743. |
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Community Action Network (CAN) is a partnership of agencies and organizations in Austin and Travis County that provide resources to improve the health and well-being of people in our community. CAN is a collaboration of organizations and individuals working together to build a community of equity and opportunity.
CAN's role in the community is to ...
- enhance awareness of community issues;
- strengthen partnerships and connect planning efforts;
- support collaborative strategies that maximize community resources and impact; and
- mobilize action by reporting on progress made to improve the community's well-being.
CAN Partners: Austin Area Interreligious Ministries, Austin Chamber of Commerce, Austin Community College, Austin Independent School District, Austin Travis County Integral Care, Capital Metro, Central Health, City of Austin, Community Justice Council, One Voice Central Texas, Seton Family of Hospitals, St. David's Foundation, St. Edward's University, Travis County, United Way Capital Area, University of Texas at Austin, and Workforce Solutions - Capital Area.
CAN Issue Area Groups: Aging Services Council, Austin/Travis County Victim Services Task Force, Basic Needs Coalition, Behavioral Health Planning Partnership, Central Texas Afterschool
Network, Child & Youth Mental Health Planning Partnership, Ending Community Homelessness
Coalition, Early Care and Education, HousingWorks, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Coalition, Literacy Coalition of Central Texas, Ready by 21, Reentry Roundtable, and Regional Transit Coordination Committee.
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