Housing Authority of Travis County Receives Microgrant

The Housing Authority of Travis County (HATC) was the recent recipient of a Microgrant of $1,000 to purchase bus passes for HATC residents, compliments of the Transit Empowerment Fund (TEF). Microgrants are designed to provide additional opportunities to meet the TEF mission of enhancing access to transportation for low-income, transit-dependent individuals in the Austin area. All microgrants must focus on transportation for low-income (200% of poverty guidelines or below) individuals.

The Transit Empowerment Fund was established in 2011 as a partnership between Capital Metro and One Voice Central Texas to enhance access to transportation. An independent Board oversees the work of the Fund including the distribution of transit passes to nonprofit organizations and support of demonstration projects. The Board includes representatives from the nonprofit and business communities and Capital Metro.

“We are grateful for these funds as they will mitigate some of the transportation challenges experienced by some of our residents when trying to find employment or just taking care of basic needs,” says HATC Housing Specialist Gabrielle Wright.

As a component of this initiative, successful grant recipients are able to purchase Capital Metro Bus Passes at the non-profit rate of 50% of face value. TEF considers Microgrant applications on a quarterly basis - January, April, July, and October. For further details, visit their website at: www.transitempowermentfund.org.

HATC is seeking additional grant opportunities to provide additional recreational equipment for its residents. Additional information regarding The Housing Authority of Travis County can be found by visiting www.hatctx.com.