Congregational leaders from St. Ignatius, Prince of Peace, and San Jose worked with leaders from Travis Heights Elementary (an Alliance School) and other allies from the neighborhood to improve living conditions at Travis Park Apartments. Working with Cong. Lloyd Doggett and HUD, leaders put pressure on the owners to fix leaky sewage pipes, install security lights, repair A/C units, and clean thick mold from many of the units. These conditions were resulting in increased respiratory illnesses and absenteeism among many of the children attending Travis Heights Elementary.          

This is the signature accomplishment of the Legislative Session. The congregations of Austin Interfaith and the Texas Industrial Areas Foundation have been credited with playing a key role in working with the Lt. Governor to pass legislation that would add 127,500 children to the Childrens Health Insurance Program. (approximately $70,000,000 new dollars) This was the work of countless visits to the Capitol and 4 press conferences. The Lt. Governor has guaranteed that all eligible children will be covered, so it will be up to us to begin enrolling new children through our congregations and schools.         

Leaders at Santa Barbara Catholic Church in East Travis County as well as Austin Interfaith pastors and leaders came together to get a $475,000 water infrastructure deal passed by County Commissioners Court and Hornsby Bend Utility. After 40 families had been without running water for 5 years, Santa Barbara joined Austin Interfaith last year and began organizing to secure this money. It took a lot of house meetings, block walks, and meetings with public officials, but all 40 families will have running water by the end of the summer!