Blackland Transitional Housing

Austin, Texas

After many years of political battles between the Blackland Neighborhood and its giant neighbor to the west, the University of Texas, a truce was reached allowing, among other things, the Blackland Neighborhood Development Corporation to take ownership of eight throw away houses from UT.  The university agreed to relocate the units to the east and put them on new foundations.  For three years the houses sat empty while the neighborhood sought funds to provide housing for homeless families.  With the help of the City of Austin, the Blackland Neighborhood Development Corporation and h+uo architects transformed what was dubbed “Port-A- Slum” into fine houses for homeless families until they get stabilized.  Utilizing eight boarded-up homes slated for the wrecking ball, the non-profit community organization relocated and renovated the board and batten, single wall construction two bedroom houses in keeping with the neighborhood.  Each house received a covered front porch with a decorative icon dedicated to a significant person who lived in the neighborhood.