Transforming Chalmers Courts
The Future of Affordable Living
Words by Guadalupe Triana
Along Chalmers Avenue, between East 2nd and 3rd streets, is the Chalmers Courts community, a longstanding affordable housing project that’s been home to lower-income families since it first opened nearly 83 years ago during the Great Depression. Today, the community is made up of three multi-family developments: Pathways at Chalmers Court East, Pathways at Chalmers Court South, and opening later this year, Pathways at Chalmers Court West.
The three-phase redevelopment of Chalmers Courts community first began with Chalmers South in 2018, an 86-unit project completed in 2020. Shortly after, the renewal continued with Chalmers East, which made 156 units available to families. Now, Chalmers West will provide the community with an additional 152 units, and once complete, the complexes will bring nearly 400 income-restricted rental units with modern amenities to central Austin.
The new buildings were designed by Carleton Companies and Nelsen Partners Architects, in partnership with the Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA) who manages the complexes. The main goal behind the reconstruction was to provide some much-needed upgrades to the outdated structures which lacked crucial elements like central air conditioning, adequate plumbing, and electrical systems.
In addition to meeting Austin Energy Green building standards, the buildings were designed to bring modern, sustainable, and affordable living to the Eastside. They now have energy efficient windows and appliances, and every apartment has its own HVAC system with programmable thermostats.
Residents also have access to a wide range of community amenities, including a computer lab, a club room, a fitness center, a bike station, and community-planned activities. The community also encourages residents to reduce waste by recycling and opt for shared transportation by providing ample resources and knowledge around sustainability.
The transformation of Chalmers Courts doesn’t end with these three buildings. A health clinic and dental clinic are slated to open later this year, bringing critical resources within walking distance of Chalmers residents.
As the city continues to grow, Chalmers Courts is an example of the investment and advocacy from public and private entities for affordable living in Central East Austin.
Did You Know?
In March 2021, Google Fiber partnered with HACA and launched their 10th Gigabit Community Program at Chalmers Court East, with 110 residents receiving access to gigabit internet for free.
Contact:
1638 E 2nd Street
hacanet.org
@hacanet
