2026 AHF Readers' Choice Award Finalist Spotlight #8: The Rebekah at RBJ Residences

NEF's last but certainly not least 2026 AHF Readers' Choice Award Finalist: The Rebekah at RBJ Residences in the Seniors category.

The Rebekah at RBJ Residences is a transformative rehabilitation of a landmark affordable senior housing community in Austin, Texas on Lady Bird Lake. Originally developed in 1972 with support from HUD's Section 236 program and named after President Lyndon B. Johnson's mother, the 16-story property has served seniors for more than 50 years. The $88 million redevelopment, completed in 2025 by sponsor DMA Development Co. in partnership with Austin Geriatric Center, involved a complete gut rehabilitation of the existing 250-unit building, reducing it to 224 fully renovated apartments.

The property now offers 92 studios and 132 one-bedroom homes restricted to residents earning 30%, 50%, and 60% of AMI. Renovations included new unit interiors, common areas, building systems, reconfigured floor plans, expanded community rooms, outdoor pavilion, and new rooftop lounge space. The Rebekah and its sister building, The Lady Bird, form RBJ Residences, Central Texas' largest senior housing community, with 503 units and more than 10,000 square feet of shared amenities. The campus also provides health and wellness services, transportation, food assistance, financial planning, social programming, and access to on-site businesses and public green space creating a vibrant, affordable, and supportive community for older adults.

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