Austin faces an affordable housing crisis that endangers its current boom of prosperity. As Austin’s population grows, so too do housing gaps across all market segments, adding pressure to increasingly disadvantaged communities.The Austin Community Data Coalition (ACDC) in partnership with Austin Shapers closes the data gap between policy and practice by comprehensively applying the resident lens to affordable housing. The objective is to (i) build a research database with local academic institutions; (ii) through strategic consultations, ensure the project is aligned with community needs and (iii) expand ACDC's network to build a comprehensive picture of the local market. Ultimately, the project strives to enable smarter policy and stronger civic engagement.