June 17, 2025; AUSTIN, TX – On June 18, Community partners, stakeholders and neighbors will gather in the Montopolis neighborhood to officially mark the beginning of a truly transformative housing development for Austin.
Iris Gardens will deliver 150 units for people aged 55+, as well as access to supportive services that promote dignity, independence, and safety. It is also Austin’s first LGBTQ+ -affirming affordable housing community for older adults, developed through a partnership between Austin-based non-profit Family Eldercare and national permanent supportive housing developer Vecino Group.
“This is a dream come true, to bring this type of housing to the community,” said Dr. Aaron Alarcon, Family Eldercare CEO. “Our organization—for 45 years—has served the underserved, provided care for those in-need, and has constantly changed and adapted along with our Austin community. Our vision is a world where all vulnerable people in the world thrive, and Iris Gardens is a step toward this world becoming reality for so many.”
“This is a very proud day for our team,” said Valentin DeLeon, Vecino Group Director of Development. “Iris Gardens is poised to deliver so much more than just its housing offering—through our work with Family Eldercare and Rainbow Connections we will help people find their sense of place through the strength of the community.”
Located at 1013 Montopolis Drive in Austin, Iris Gardens will deliver 150 brand new, affordable homes—in a mix of 1-Bed and 2-Bed units—that all will serve households at or below 30, 50 and 60% Area Median Income. The 4-story building will have a ground-level fitness area and a large, multipurpose community room, a second-level lounge conference room, and shared laundry on the second- and third-level.
Onsite supportive services will include service coordination and permanent supportive housing for residents exiting homelessness. For residents that identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community, Rainbow Connections—a program of Family Eldercare—will provide programming focused on promoting the well-being and quality of life of this community.
Lead Architect is Vecino Design, with Kimley Horn as Civil Engineer, and STAND as Structural Engineer. Vecino Construction is General Contractor.
Substantial construction is scheduled to take 24 months.
The $51 Million development was made possible through support and funding from Austin Housing Finance Corporation, Travis County, CITI Bank, and Redstone Equity. Iris Gardens is set for completion by late Spring 2027.
About Family Eldercare
Founded in 1982, Family Eldercare is a leading Austin-based nonprofit dedicated to promoting dignity, stability, and well‑being for older adults, LGBTQ+ – identifying and people with disabilities by providing housing, guardianship, financial advocacy, and supportive services. Through its continuum of care, Family Eldercare ensures vulnerable individuals can age-in-place with independence and community connection across Central Texas.
Media Contact:
Donna Poston Williams
512-567-1880
About the Vecino Group
The Vecino Group is a national housing company dedicated to building a better world, one development, one community at a time. Each project must address a broader need, set an example, and inspire. The company has completed development in more than a dozen states and has created more than 3,000 units of affordable housing to date—including more than 600 units of permanent supportive housing. https://www.vecinogroup.com
Media Contact:
Patrick McWhirt
417-425-5508
