Our first two homes were received from and are dedicated to the memory of two ardent disability rights activists, Carol Eisenberg and James “J.T.” Templeton. Carol spent her life advocating for independence and access; after she died, her family wanted to ensure that the accessibility modifications she had made would continue to benefit other people with disabilities. AHA! purchased her home with City of Austin affordable housing bond funding.
J.T., one of AHA!’s founding members, fought his way out of state institutions where he had been forced to live for thirty years and, along with his wife Karen, eventually bought and built a fully accessible home through the Texas Home of Your Own program. Upon his death he gave his home to AHA! so that other people with disabilities could live in a home that was accessible, affordable and integrated into a neighborhood.
In 2010, AHA! entered into a partnership with the Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation to rehabilitate and manage seven previously foreclosed homes.
To date, we have served over forty individuals, all in low-income households including at least one family member with a disability.
