On a beautiful July day in the capital of Texas, Austin city officials joined with their counterparts from HUD's San Antonio office to participate in opening ceremonies for Manor House, a HUD-assisted, Section 811 facility.

With its improved technology, enhanced landscaping techniques, and attention to the local environment, Manor House will improve the life of Austin citizens

Manor House will soon be home to 11 Texans. With its improved technology, enhanced landscaping techniques and attention to environment, Manor House will serve as a model for improving the life of Austin citizens with disabilities. The facility retains the maximum amount of native trees and other greenery and has incorporated the natural beauty of the Austin terrain.

The dwelling was made possible by a partnership between HUD and the Volunteers of America Texas, a faith-based non-profit organization. Together, the partners produced an aesthetically pleasing project where challenged Texans can obtain affordable, safe and decent housing.

VOAT received an advance from the Department to develop the project, and once armed with that grant, the city and the Austin Finance Corporation secured HOME funds to supplement construction of the new facility. Austin's SMART program was used during the construction phase and resulted in the waiving of city fees. The Department will also be providing project rental assistance to the facility.

Residents of Manor House will have their own caseworker and access to a variety of health and human services. With help from other organizations such as the Austin/Travis County Mental Health Mental Retardation Agency and the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, the residents will be allowed to live independently and be productive members of their community. For many of the future residents, Manor House will not only be a home, but an expression of independence and well-being that will enable them to improve the quality of their lives.

Austin Mayor Will Wynn (left) and HUD San Antonio Field Office Director Luz Solis Day.	From left to right: Sam Higgins, first Manor House resident; HUD Field Director Day; Elva Castillo, San Antonio Multifamily Program Center director; Vera Maten-Brooks, mother of Sam Higgins; and Matt Nelson, Dallas VOAT chairman.