Unfinished homes vandalized and abandoned in south Austin

AUSTIN (KXAN) --- A subdivision in south Austin, that is supposed to have luxury houses, instead has unfinished homes with broken windows and tattered roofs. The homes are covered in graffiti, as tall weeds grow in the drive way.

The Southstone subdivision on West Dittmar Road in south Austin is currently under construction, according to the subdivision's website.

The subdivision is supposed to eventually have more than 200 luxury homes with a clubhouse, resort style pool and playground.

Victor Uvalle III and his family live nearby with a direct view.

"We've seen people in those windows at night. You'll see just movement, you know."

Victor Uvalle III, Neighbor

He said construction began years ago, and then all of a sudden it came to a halt.

"They started real fast. It looked like they had a lot of contractors out there trying to do a lot of different things," Uvalle III said. "It was a dead stop. We didn't have nobody working, no contractors coming by."

A few months after that, Uvalle III said they started seeing vandalism. He's worried the vandalism moved to his neighborhood.

"We've had a couple break-ins right here with my parents vehicles as well, just being vandalized," Uvalle III said.

He said this ultimately comes down to an issue of safety for his family.

"Riding her bike up the street, I don't want her to think like, 'Oh, there's those abandoned houses that, you know, I can't ride on that street,'" Uvalle III said.

Dozens of complaints

The situation prompted the city of Austin's Development Services Department to get involved. The department has received a total of 16 complaints about the subdivision.

Complaints ranged from:

• Illegal dumping
• Trash
• Tall weeds and grass
• Pests
• Unsafe structures

When asked what's being done, the department told KXAN code inspectors are regularly out there.

Code inspectors are addressing complaints as they come in, and we have been working with the property owner to bring the property into compliance. Our actions include regular visits to the property, clean-ups, and placing surveillance cameras to monitor illegal dumping."

City of Austin Development Services Department

KXAN reached out to the developer multiple times for comment, but we have not heard back yet. We will update this if a statement is received.