AUSTIN, Texas - A proposed affordable housing project on Menchaca Road in South Austin has ignited debate among area residents, with nearby homeowners raising concerns over the size and density of the project rather than its intended purpose.

While many neighbors support the need for accessible housing in Austin, several express reservations about how the development is being planned.

The backstory: The Austin Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) purchased the 4. 78-acre property at 6200 Menchaca Rd. in 2021 to address what city officials describe as a shortage of affordable housing in the area.