About Us

Austin Pathways: Empowering HACA Residents Every Step of the Way

Austin Pathways is a nonprofit organization that helps families in public and subsidized housing in Austin build brighter futures. As a subsidiary of the Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA), we serve residents in 18 housing communities and participants in the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program.

We believe that stable housing is just the beginning. Through education, job training, digital access, and supportive services, we help residents achieve their goals and work toward long-term self-sufficiency.

What We Do

Our work focuses on removing barriers to opportunity and creating clear pathways to independence. We offer programs and partnerships across five key areas:

  • Education & Scholarships
    Each year, we award renewable scholarships to HACA residents pursuing higher education or vocational training. Since 2001, we’ve awarded over $1 million in scholarships.

  • Workforce Development
    We connect adults with job fairs, career coaching, training programs, and support for long-term employment and income growth.

  • Digital Inclusion
    In partnership with organizations like Google Fiber, we provide internet access, devices, and digital literacy training to help residents stay connected and competitive.

  • Youth Success
    About half of the residents we serve are children. Our Youth Educational Success (YES) program helps them stay engaged in school and on track for graduation.

  • Health, Wellness & Financial Stability
    Through our Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) programs, residents receive financial coaching, goal-setting support, and the chance to build escrow savings as their income increases. These services are now available to both Housing Choice Voucher participants and residents in HACA-owned properties.

Who We Serve

  • Youth – Support for academic success and long-term opportunity

  • Adults – Resources for education, careers, and financial independence

  • Seniors & People with Disabilities – Support to maintain housing stability and quality of life

Our services are personalized, voluntary, and designed to meet residents where they are—whether they’re pursuing a degree, reentering the workforce, or planning for long-term financial health.

Our Impact

In the past year, Austin Pathways:

  • Awarded $82,000 in scholarships

  • Connected hundreds of families to vital services

  • Expanded financial empowerment programs across more HACA communities

These outcomes reflect our ongoing commitment to helping residents turn housing into a foundation for success.

Our Vision

We envision an Austin where every public housing resident has access to opportunity—where no barrier stands between a family and their future.

Through community partnerships, dedicated service coordinators, and your continued support, we’re making that vision a reality—one resident at a time.