Seabrook Square I Opens Affordable Housing Community in East Austin

• Seabrook Square I has officially opened in East Austin, delivering 204 affordable apartments for households earning 30% to 60% of the Area Median Family Income (MFI).
• Developed through a partnership between The NHP Foundation, Capital A Housing, and the Austin Housing Finance Corporation, the project is the first phase of a larger mixed-income community.
• The development includes live-work units for local artists, commercial space, and community amenities designed to honor the history of the J.J. Seabrook neighborhood.

What Seabrook Square I Brings to East Austin

A new affordable housing community has officially opened in East Austin with the grand opening of Seabrook Square I. The development delivers 204 affordable rental apartments designed for individuals and families earning between 30% and 60% of the Area Median Family Income (MFI), providing much-needed housing as affordability challenges continue across Central Texas. Built on approximately three acres of city-owned land, Seabrook Square I offers a mix of studio, one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom apartments. The project was developed through a partnership between The NHP Foundation (NHPF), Capital A Housing, and the Austin Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC), with residents already beginning to move into the new community.

What Makes the Development Unique

Named after Dr. John Jarvis "J.J." Seabrook, a respected educator, pastor, and community leader, the development was designed to preserve the identity and history of East Austin while creating long-term affordable housing opportunities. The property features an art plaza, cultural gathering spaces, and commercial space reserved for community-serving businesses and organizations. In addition, 10 live-work residences have been designated for East Austin artists, helping preserve the neighborhood's long-standing creative community as redevelopment continues. Residents also have access to a community room, fitness center, structured parking garage, bicycle parking, landscaped courtyard, clothes care center, and convenient connections to downtown Austin, nearby schools, employment centers, and public transportation.

What the Partnership Means for Affordable Housing

Seabrook Square I represents a collaboration between nonprofit organizations, the City of Austin, and public agencies focused on expanding affordable housing while maintaining neighborhood character. The Austin Housing Finance Corporation acquired the site using voter-approved affordable housing bond funding before selecting The NHP Foundation, Capital A Housing, and Integral Care through a competitive process to develop the property. The community is planned as the first phase of a larger redevelopment that will eventually include permanent supportive housing in a future second phase.

What This Means for Austin

As housing costs continue to rise across Austin, projects like Seabrook Square I demonstrate how public-private partnerships can help increase affordable housing while supporting long-term community stability. Beyond providing new homes, the development incorporates cultural spaces, neighborhood-serving retail, and artist housing that reflect the history of East Austin. For affordable housing developers and local governments, Seabrook Square I offers another example of how mixed-income, community-focused developments can address housing shortages while preserving neighborhood identity.