ColdTowne Theater
Rio House
RECEIVED Sat., July 17, 2021
Dear Editor,
I am reaching out on behalf of myself and the residents of Rio House Apartments concerning our dire housing situation; I’m confident the Chronicle will not only find this story newsworthy but, also, felicitous and germane to the current housing/affordability/homeless crisis.
The residents of Rio House recently discovered that the owner had died and, consequently, the new owner (former owner’s niece) has decided to sell the complex to the highest bidder. As far as we know there are no serious buyers but we have been noticing businessmen scoping out the building and taking measurements. Upon learning this unfortunate news, the residents of Rio House decided - as a group - to request a year lease at our current rate because most residents have no contract and live on a month to month basis.
This simple request to provide some basic sense of security and dignity to our residents was denied; Rio House has a very tight knit and diverse community consisting of the most vulnerable groups in society such as LGBTQIA, low income families, and the elderly. Moreover, we have residents that suffer from chronic illnesses and, at least, one resident is currently undergoing radiation treatment for breast cancer. Rio House has been a home for a colorful cast of people from all walks of life: musicians, actors, artists, writers, social workers, nurses, teachers, farmers, parents, and grandparents. Most, if not all, of the residents are working class folk who can longer afford to live in Austin once Rio House is gone due to the current housing crisis.
Furthermore, the complex itself deserves to be preserved for its long and rich history. The complex is located on historic Judges Hill and from the late Twenties to the early Fifties it was a St. David’s Hospital. Rio House deserves to be saved for its original architectural aesthetic and historic value alone.
In summary, we are requesting that the owners of Rio House offer every resident a one year lease at their current rate. Please help us in our effort to save Rio House and, by extension, the soul of Downtown Austin.
I am reaching out on behalf of myself and the residents of Rio House Apartments concerning our dire housing situation; I’m confident the Chronicle will not only find this story newsworthy but, also, felicitous and germane to the current housing/affordability/homeless crisis.
The residents of Rio House recently discovered that the owner had died and, consequently, the new owner (former owner’s niece) has decided to sell the complex to the highest bidder. As far as we know there are no serious buyers but we have been noticing businessmen scoping out the building and taking measurements. Upon learning this unfortunate news, the residents of Rio House decided - as a group - to request a year lease at our current rate because most residents have no contract and live on a month to month basis.
This simple request to provide some basic sense of security and dignity to our residents was denied; Rio House has a very tight knit and diverse community consisting of the most vulnerable groups in society such as LGBTQIA, low income families, and the elderly. Moreover, we have residents that suffer from chronic illnesses and, at least, one resident is currently undergoing radiation treatment for breast cancer. Rio House has been a home for a colorful cast of people from all walks of life: musicians, actors, artists, writers, social workers, nurses, teachers, farmers, parents, and grandparents. Most, if not all, of the residents are working class folk who can longer afford to live in Austin once Rio House is gone due to the current housing crisis.
Furthermore, the complex itself deserves to be preserved for its long and rich history. The complex is located on historic Judges Hill and from the late Twenties to the early Fifties it was a St. David’s Hospital. Rio House deserves to be saved for its original architectural aesthetic and historic value alone.
In summary, we are requesting that the owners of Rio House offer every resident a one year lease at their current rate. Please help us in our effort to save Rio House and, by extension, the soul of Downtown Austin.
A resident of Rio House Apartments
