ATX-SCA: Impact 10/23/2025

Nonprofit Mobile Loaves & Fishes is marking the 10th anniversary of its landmark Community First! Village, the master-planned community for residents exiting homelessness that's now expanding in Northeast and Southeast Austin.

The Northeast Austin village includes scores of tiny homes alongside shared features like community centers, a clinic, kitchens, gardens and parks, an amphitheater and a chapel. MLF is now marking the opening of another property covering 51 acres across the street from the existing site. The expansion houses the nonprofit's new headquarters and room to grow to 600 total microhomes as funding comes in.

During the community's 10th anniversary summit event in October, MLF representatives highlighted the lower cost of housing and caring for residents there versus other public homelessness programs. They also said Community First! residents have higher life expectancies, and reduced alcohol and drug consumption.

The ongoing expansion comes as a new Community First! property is also being developed in Southeast Austin, alongside a low-income housing complex from nonprofit Foundation Communities.

Children’s Emergency Relief International celebrated the grand opening of its new global headquarters in Austin and the launch of GenATX with Mayor Kirk Watson and Austin officials Oct. 15.

The local impact: Watson announced a new program called GenATX, which aims to make Austin “the best place in America to be a kid.” GenATX, in collaboration with United Way for Greater Austin, will use funding to improve coordination across public systems, elevate youth leadership and design a comprehensive child-centered well-being framework.

The initiative is centered around three pillars:

• Healthy kids
• Safe kids
• Happy and successful kids

• FirstDay Foundation
• H-E-B
• Wells Fargo Foundation
• Texas Mutual

Polka Dot Secrets has expanded from an Etsy business to a brick and mortar in South Austin.

The specifics: Owned by Bonnie Tang, the local business sells a variety of fabrics featuring styles such as polka dots, stripes, Hello Kitty print and more. Customers can also find handmade gifts available for purchase.

• 2068 S. Lamar Blvd., Ste. 100, Austin

Central Austin homes spent more days on the market in September 2025 compared to September 2024, according to Unlock MLS data.

The details: The average amount of time homes spent on the market year over year increased by 5%.

The number of homes sold increased year over year by 19%. The median home price for the market was $780,000, up 18.18% compared to last year.

In September 2025, the largest share of homes sold in Central Austin was in the $900,000 and over price range.