THE COLLEGE HOUSES

COLLEGE HOUSES SUPPORTS ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION FOR AUSTIN STUDENTS BY PROVIDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING, MEALS, AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL SERVICES. COLLEGE HOUSES PROVIDES ITS MEMBERS WITH UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES TO DEVELOP SOCIALLY AND BECOME LEADERS IN THE AUSTIN COMMUNITY THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL NONPROFITS AND COOPERATIVE ORGANIZATIONS. EACH SEMESTER, COLLEGE HOUSES PROVIDES HOUSING TO OVER 500 STUDENTS WHO ATTEND THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN, AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE, AND OTHER AREA SCHOOLS. ALL OF OUR HOUSING IS AFFORDABLE BELOW 50% MFI, WITH SOME DOUBLE-OCCUPANCY ROOMS AFFORDABLE BELOW 30% MFI. ACCORDING TO DATA FROM THE CITY OF AUSTIN, WE ARE ONE OF THE LARGEST PROVIDERS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AREA. OUR LARGEST PROGRAM BY EXPENSE IS THE OPERATIONAL EXPENSES RELATED TO MAINTAINING THE HOUSING STOCK, INCLUDING MAINTENANCE AND DEBT SERVICE. OUR NEXT LARGEST PROGRAM BY EXPENSE IS PROVIDING MEALS TO OUR MEMBERS, BOTH THROUGH THE CONSUMABLES AND THROUGH THE CAPITAL INVESTMENTS IN COMMERCIAL KITCHEN EQUIPMENT. OUR THIRD LARGEST PROGRAM BY EXPENSE IS THE DIRECT EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS TO MEMBERS, MAINLY THROUGH THE PERSONNEL COSTS REQUIRED TO OFFER ONGOING TRAINING TO CO-OP MEMBERS NEEDED TO MAINTAIN THE OPERATION OF THE CO-OP.COLLEGE HOUSES CO-OPS ARE MORE THAN AN AFFORDABLE PLACE TO LIVE, EAT AND STUDY - OUR HOUSES ARE EDUCATIONAL COMMUNITIES. WE PROVIDE A PLETHORA OF BOTH FORMAL AND INFORMAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEMBERS TO HONE THEIR SKILLS AND BROADEN THEIR EXPERIENCE. FOR EXAMPLE, SOME MEMBERS MAY START OFF ON A TEAM THAT COOKS HOUSE MEALS, AND PROGRESS TO THE ROLE OF HEAD COOK, WHERE THEY WILL MANAGE PEERS IN ONE OF OUR COMMERCIAL KITCHENS. FROM THERE THEY MIGHT RUN FOR ELECTION TO SERVE AS THEIR HOUSE KITCHEN MANAGER OR FOOD BUYER, WHERE THEY WILL MASTER PLANNING, FINANCIAL, AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS WITH HELP FROM STAFF. ANOTHER MEMBER MAY GET ESPECIALLY INTERESTED IN HOUSE MEETINGS AND BECOME A MEETING CHAIR, WHERE THEY WILL LEARN PROCEDURES AND TECHNIQUES THAT WILL ALLOW THEM TO LEAD OTHERS TO MAKE COLLECTIVE DECISIONS. THERE ARE MANY WAYS STUDENTS CAN LEARN AND GROW IN OUR CO-OP COMMUNITIES, AND WE FREQUENTLY HEAR FEEDBACK THAT MEMBERS GAIN SKILLS IN THE CO-OPS THAT SET THEM APART IN THEIR FUTURE CAREERS.COLLEGE HOUSES IS COMMITTED TO BUILDING ON OUR STRONG FOUNDATIONS AND LONG HISTORY IN ORDER TO EXPAND AND IMPROVE OUR SERVICES. AS AUSTIN CONTINUES TO BECOME A MORE POPULOUS AND EXPENSIVE CITY, IT'S MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER TO PRESERVE AND EXPAND OUR AFFORDABLE HOUSING, INNOVATE NEW PROGRAMS, AND WORK WITH PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS TO ACHIEVE OUR VISION FOR A BETTER COMMUNITY.