Over 60 apartment communities are offering special incentives to help first responders live and work in the same city.

AUSTIN, Texas — As Austin’s housing costs continue to climb, a new program is stepping in to help the city’s first responders stay closer to the neighborhoods they protect. 

The Austin Apartment Association has teamed up with local police, fire, and EMS unions to launch the “Apartner in Safety Alliance Program,” offering housing incentives designed to make living in the city more affordable for those on the front lines.

“As police officers, firefighters, and EMS providers struggle to afford living in a city they work so hard to protect, this program is a meaningful step in closing that gap,” said Councilperson Krista Lane of District 6.

The Kensington Apartments is one of 62 properties participating in the voluntary program. First responders can choose from a range of apartment options offering incentives to make living in Austin more attainable.

According to the association, incentives under the program can include reduced deposits, waived fees, or rent discounts.


Addressing commuting challenges

For many first responders, rising housing costs have made living in Austin increasingly difficult.

“If a medic has to live an hour outside of town because rent keeps climbing, that’s an extra hour of driving right before they go to a 24 hour shift,” said James Monks, president of the Austin EMS Association.

According to their most recent polling, he added that 30-40% of their members still live in the city, but most are renters who cannot afford to own a home. Otherwise, he said some EMS workers live as far away as College Station or San Antonio. 

“That’s their decision, but for the most part I think a lot of our newer medics are feeling that stress and they’re being pushed out to the, kind of, outlying areas,” he said.

That distance, he explained, doesn’t just affect convenience — it can affect job performance. “It’s less sleep, it’s more stress, and it’s a higher chance of burnout. And when burnout rises, as we know, vacancies rise, response times can grow,” Monks said.


Strengthening community connections

Through the Apartner in Safety program, first responders can browse an online directory of apartment options, view photos, and explore choices within city limits. The program also aims to build trust between residents and the people who protect them.

“Neighbors become familiar faces and safety becomes a shared goal for the community,” Monks said.

Participating apartment complexes can also schedule safety walkthroughs with the Austin Police Department (APD) to identify potential improvements such as better lighting, locks, and address signage. The program will also include community engagement events where residents and first responders can connect over a meal.

By keeping first responders closer to home, organizers hope the initiative will make Austin a safer, more affordable, and more connected city for those who dedicate their lives to protecting it.