Community members share their stories, insights, hopes and dreams of safe, decent housing during a July listening session in Elgin, Texas.
We’re proud to work with the Bastrop County Collaborative on Housing + Health, a bold, community-driven initiative that brings together residents, local leaders, and trusted partners to address the deep and complex connections between housing and health.
Grounded in an empathetic approach to public decision making, our community engagement process prioritizes collaborative, small group conversations — creating safe spaces where people can speak honestly about their experiences, challenges, and hopes for the future.
The conversations are helping shape real solutions that reflect the lived realities of Bastrop County residents. To date, we’ve conducted in-depth interviews with more than 75 residents, including seniors, young adults, veterans, renters, homeowners, people with disabilities, and those currently unhoused.
The stakes are high: nearly half of renter households earning under $35,000 in Bastrop County are considered cost-burdened — spending more than 30% of their income on housing. With rising rents and growing displacement from the Austin metro area, many families are being priced out of their communities. Bastrop County has grown rapidly, with more than 3,900 new residents in recent years — but that growth has not come with sufficient housing for local teachers, health workers, and essential service providers.
Through this process, BCCHH will gather insights that inform not only housing strategies but also broader health outcomes. The project will identify at least one “shovel-ready” site for safe, decent housing and engage deeply with community members to ensure every recommendation is shaped by real voices, especially those from historically marginalized and low-income communities.