In 2016, Austin passed the tenant notification and relocation ordinance, meant to ensure that tenants receive adequate notice when there’s demolition or renovation of their home so that they can relocate successfully from development-induced displacement. Now the city is trying to figure out how to put the program into practice. Originally, the city had intended it […]
affordable housing
This general term refers to housing that is affordable to Austinites, with or without subsidy.
Posted inHousing
Council to consider creating fund to save older, affordable apartments
The city of Austin may soon launch a public-private fund to help preserve older apartment complexes at risk of demolition, drawing on philanthropic, financial and corporate contributions. The idea is to give property owners access to capital for repairs and upgrades without forcing them to raise rents to cover the costs. On Thursday, City Council […]
Posted inHousing
Housing plan advances to Council as concerns grow over federal funding cuts
The Community Development Commission stopped short of endorsing the city’s annual federal housing funding plan at its meeting last week and instead used the opportunity to raise alarms about how looming federal budget cuts could worsen the city’s homelessness crisis. The FY25/26 Action Plan, which outlines the use of roughly $14 million in federal housing […]
Posted inHousing
Office slowdown sparks new downtown housing ambitions
Downtown Austin leaders are increasingly focused on residential development as a way to stabilize the city’s core, as office vacancy rates remain stubbornly high and some buildings struggle to find tenants at all. With more than one-fifth of downtown office space currently sitting vacant or available for near-term leases (and some estimates placing that number […]
Posted inHousing
Housing staff wants more funding, support for land trusts to build affordable homes
The Housing Department is pushing City Council to continue to provide funding for land acquisition and development subsidies to preserve long-term housing affordability. In a recent memo responding to a Council resolution from last year, housing officials describe land banking as “the bedrock” of future affordability. The memo acknowledges that expanding the city’s community land […]
Posted inPlanning
Planning Commission OKs removal of east side pecan tree
In a case that may tug at the heartwood of tree-hugging Austinites, the Planning Commission approved an variance allowing the cutting of one individual pecan tree during its May 27 meeting. The variance was granted at the request of nonprofit LifeWorks, who owns the property at 819 Tillery Street that the tree sits on. Its […]
Posted inHousing
City eyes fund to preserve affordable housing, capitalize on overbuilt apartment market
In talking about the possibility of establishing a city fund specifically for preserving existing affordable housing stock, Council Member Marc Duchen said part of the motivation is to give the city more tools to step in before property owners decide to rebuild aging multifamily properties at higher price points. Using the recent, controversial redevelopment of […]
Posted inHousing
As Acacia Cliffs rezoning is approved, Critics say Council has sold out on its affordability commitments
The zoning reforms that have come to define our City Council are having a moment in the spotlight, earning shout outs from Vice President J.D. Vance and New York Times bestseller Ezra Klein, whose recent book Abundance presents an approach that will be familiar to most Austinites–tweaking land use code alongside market-based incentives as a […]
Posted inHousing
A proposed apartment demolition has some questioning Austin affordable housing program
A city program meant to ensure affordable housing is built into new developments is facing criticism for its potential to displace more than 200 residents already living in affordable units in a West Austin complex. Now, they’re asking the city council to reconsider the proposal from the property owner. Density Build 90, also known as […]
Posted inHousing
Facing displacement, Acacia Cliffs apartment tenants mobilize at City Hall
Plans to redevelop an apartment complex in Northwest Austin are off to a rocky start, drawing a crowd to City Hall last week with demands for more concessions to displaced tenants. Acacia Cliffs residents and their neighbors took to the podium on Thursday to request time for more robust negotiations with owner Price Realty Corporation, […]
Posted inHousing
HUD cuts could endanger portion of more than $15M in federal housing funds
The city could see significant disruptions to its affordable housing and homelessness programs as a result of proposed federal budget cuts to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, according to a memo released last week. The memo, issued by intergovernmental relations officer Carrie Rogers, advises that reductions in HUD staffing and funding could affect […]
Posted inHousing
Council vote could help secure tax credits for seven projects with affordable units
On Thursday, City Council will consider resolutions of support for seven affordable housing developments seeking funding through the state’s 9 percent Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program. If approved, items 16-22 on the agenda will be included in developers’ applications to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, which oversees the competitive program that […]