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For Immediate Release

Austin Mayor Kirk Watson Kicks Off Texas C-BAR at Community Development Block Party
October 4, 2000

Heather Way-Legal Aid of Central Texas 512-447-7707 ext. 370 Joe Householder-Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. 713-758-2171

MAYOR WATSON, LEGAL AID OF CENTRAL TEXAS, V&E TO KICK-OFF AFFORDABLE HOUSING INITIATIVE

AUSTIN, TEXAS (September 28, 2000) - On Wednesday, October 4th, Austin Mayor Kirk Watson will join attorneys with Legal Aid of Central Texas and the law firm of Vinson & Elkins, L.L.P., to discuss a unique program that addresses one of Austin's most crucial issues. "The need for quality affordable housing has always been an issue here but it is, now, more pressing than ever," said Heather Way, an attorney with Legal Aid of Central Texas. "That's why we've developed Texas C-BAR."

Texas C-BAR, or Texas Community Building with Attorney Resources, is an initiative designed to provide free legal services to community-based nonprofit organizations in developing high-quality housing to residents of low-income areas. According to Aric Short, a Vinson & Elkins attorney who is on the Texas C-BAR board, "the legal work Texas C-BAR can provide ranges from negotiating construction contracts to helping the community groups get tax-exempt status to drawing up deeds. It's all costly work that these organizations might not otherwise be able to afford."

Vinson & Elkins was the first law firm to volunteer its services and has made a substantial commitment to the effort. Three other firms have subsequently gotten involved and more are welcome.

The kick-off event, a community housing development block party, is at 2:30 p.m. on October 4th, at 2005 East 3rd Street. The event is being held at a home recently built by the Guadalupe Neighborhood Development Corporation and sold to a first-time home buyer. Guadalupe is one of several community-based nonprofits in Austin which have been instrumental in improving the quality of life of the low income neighborhood residents they serve.

Media are welcome to attend. Reporters will have a chance to speak with the mayor, Texas C-BAR organizers, and those who will benefit from this unique affordable housing effort.

If you have any questions, either before or after the event, contact Heather Way at Legal Aid of Central Texas at 512-447-7707, extension 370. You can also call Vinson & Elkins Media Relations Manager Joe Householder at 713-758-2171. For more information, visit the Texas C-BAR web site at www.texascbar.org.