ATX-SCA: Impact 10/14/2025

A 120-unit housing development for youth exiting homelessness broke ground Oct. 10 in East Austin.

The details: The Works III complex overseen by nonprofit LifeWorks will serve tenants identified through the regional homelessness response system with low-income apartments and various supportive services available onsite. The project at 701 Tillery St. is expected to be completed in winter 2027.

Quote of note: “This is a community-driven investment. It will add safe and stable homes close to schools, jobs and transit. It will provide a number of essential wraparound services like peer support, case management, employment services and providing a space for true community," said council member José Velásquez, who represents the area in District 3.

The development by Capital A Housing was funded through a variety of public and private sources, including a land donation and funding from Austin, Travis County, and the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.

Opening a small business like a cafe or coffee truck within Austin neighborhoods could soon be made easier under reforms requested by City Council this fall.

The details: A measure from council member Ryan Alter approved Oct. 10 calls to "minimize barriers to and encourage accessibility of" launching community-oriented coffee shops in residential areas. Alter cited the lack of such walkable places around Austin today as a reason he hopes to promote more businesses closer to residents' homes.

Officials' October vote is just the first step in the process and kicks off a review by city planners that could last up to a year. Alter's approved resolution calls for any regulatory changes or other updates to be made by early December 2026.

Quote of note: "I’ve visited a number of cities where you just walk out and have the ability to, let’s say, go to a little cafe or something. And that’s a positive experience," he said.

Locally sourced scratch restaurant Local Foods has announced a second Austin location just north of The University of Texas at Austin Campus on Lamar Boulevard, in the former Wu Chow space.

The overview: The group focuses on using fresh, hyper-seasonal ingredients, with an emphasis on healthy dishes such as soups, sandwiches, salads and sides, according to Community Impact’s previous reporting.

The new location will feature breakfast, lunch and dinner menus, complete with a full bar—the company’s downtown location has limited alcoholic beverage options. The space also includes a dog-friendly patio, according to a post on the company’s social media.

Patrons can expect to see several new dinner entrees with the opening of the new location, the post states.

• 3800 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin

Texas’ power grid is unlikely to have issues this December, according to an Oct. 3 report by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas.

The details: During the winter, demand for electricity spikes when people get up in the morning and return home in the evening. This December, the tightest period is expected to be from 7-8 a.m. each day, when little to no solar power is being produced. ERCOT found that there will be a 1.81% chance of a grid emergency during that time.

“Under typical grid conditions, the deterministic scenario indicates that there should be sufficient generating capacity available," the report reads.

The background: Texas' grid withstood three cold snaps early this year. ERCOT last asked residents to voluntarily reduce their energy use in January 2024.

Legislative approach: State lawmakers approved legislation this spring that is designed to make the grid more reliable by tightening regulations on large electric consumers, such as data centers. In extreme grid conditions, those customers will be required to switch to backup power to reduce strain on the grid.