ACC has teamed up with Housing Connector, a nonprofit that connects people to vacant units in the city, while also helping landlords fill empty apartments.
AUSTIN, Texas — Austin Community College is rolling out new support for students struggling to find a place to live, partnering with a housing nonprofit to connect them with more affordable options.
According to a recent ACC survey, more than half of the college’s students report experiencing some form of housing insecurity. To help address the need, the school is teaming up with Housing Connector, a nonprofit that links people to vacant rental units across the city while also helping landlords fill empty apartments.
“It’s really hard to think about students trying to study in their car and, and use, you know, just use these various places in town to get all of their needs met,” said Christie Curtis, ACC’s Director of Basic Needs. “Instead of just having, like, some place they get to call home.”
Housing Connector launched in Austin this spring in partnership with the city’s Homeless Strategy Office. The program incentivizes landlords to make housing more accessible by offering financial protections such as rental assistance, damage coverage, and vacancy loss support.
In exchange, property owners agree to ease screening requirements, broadening access to safe and stable housing.
“We really want to enable folks to have another chance to be able to live in a place where they feel safe, that is a place they feel comfortable to raise a family, to just be a part of our community,” said Shayna Dunitz, Austin’s managing director for Housing Connector. “We want folks who want to live in Austin, to be able to live in Austin.”
The nonprofit’s Zillow-powered marketplace lists around 8,000 available units in Austin. ACC student advocates will now be able to use the tool to help connect students with housing that fits their budget and location needs.
By reducing housing barriers, college leaders hope more students can stay enrolled, graduate and enter the workforce. Curtis said the partnership is already showing signs of impact, with the college currently working to secure housing for two students through the platform.