In the vibrant town of New Braunfels, Texas, located just a stone's throw from San Antonio, the community is experiencing a surge in population. While this growth brings excitement, it has also posed challenges for residents seeking affordable housing. However, a wonderful initiative is blossoming alongside the San Antonio Food Bank, promising to bring hope and stability to families in need.

Eric Cooper, the passionate president and CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank, had a brilliant idea when he noticed an empty lot adjacent to the food bank's New Braunfels branch. He recognized that for many households struggling with food insecurity, housing costs often take precedence, leading to difficult choices. "What we know about a food-insecure household is that rent eats first in every household budget," Cooper shared. His vision is to alleviate some of this burden by providing food support, which allows families to redirect their finances towards maintaining their homes.

Thanks to the generous support from the McKenna Foundation and NB Housing Partners, this vacant land is transforming into a beacon of hope: the Appleseed Apartments. With 51 thoughtfully designed units, these apartments will serve families with children, providing them a nurturing environment for 24 to 36 months. This initiative aims to assist families during transitional phases, enabling them to find stability and independence before passing the opportunity on to others who may need it.

While the exact rental prices are yet to be disclosed, these affordable units will be available to families earning 80% or less of the area's median income. To further empower residents, Cooper emphasized the importance of education and support, saying, "In some ways, there was this thought that … we don’t do housing; we do food. But after the journey, we were like, what do we do? We do people." This spirit of community and connection is at the heart of the project.

Although the Appleseed Apartments are still under construction, Woolsey Design Build is diligently working to bring this inspiring vision to life. "By pairing safe, high-quality homes with job training, nutrition programs, and financial-literacy resources, Appleseed helps neighbors stay rooted in the city they work in and love, instead of being priced out," said Woolsey in a recent social media update.

The team at Woolsey Design Build is deeply committed to this project, pouring their expertise and community pride into every aspect of the construction process. Their goal is to create a warm and welcoming environment where future residents can thrive, connect, and build a brighter future.

This uplifting story shines a light on the power of community collaboration and the difference that compassion can make in the lives of families. As the Appleseed Apartments take shape, they symbolize hope, resilience, and the promise of a better tomorrow for those who call New Braunfels home.