Founded in 1983, Blackland CDC owns about half of the single-family homes and duplexes in the Blackland neighborhood and hosts the only neighborhood-created program for homeless families in Texas. Focusing on rehabilitating older houses with energy-saving methods, the group has recycled approximately 310,000 pounds of building material. The Blackland neighborhood, a historically African-American community, was the site of one of the first big gentrification fights in East Austin. Blackland CDC’s board is composed of people who live in the neighborhood and it has successfully fought off the University of Texas’ attempt to expand its campus into the neighborhood. In 2014, the CDC converted a historic bungalow into a community “conservatory,” which provides community space for meetings and arts and recreational classes and activities.