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 […]
City Council Housing and Planning Committee
Posted inPreservation
Downtown Historic Resource Survey eyes seven new districts eligible for designation
The city’s Historic Preservation Office is putting the finishing touches on its long-awaited Downtown Austin Historic Resource Survey, with plans to present the final draft to Historic Landmark Commissioners this week. En route, staff stopped by City Council’s Housing and Planning Committee for a preliminary briefing on their findings, which mark the first attempt at […]
Posted inPlanning
Density bonus programs under review to address affordability needs, market conditions
The city is moving forward with reforms to several of its density bonus programs, following the recommendations from an analysis completed earlier this year. A recent presentation to City Council’s Housing and Planning Committee outlined several modifications underway or in the planning stages that will better align with the changing economics of development and construction, […]
Posted inDevelopment
Housing and Planning Committee discusses sustainable building design, Land Development Code amendments, and Northeast Planning District
City Council’s Housing and Planning Committee held its final meeting of the year on Tuesday, when members heard updates from city staff on proposed amendments to the Land Development Code, the Northeast Planning District, the city’s Comprehensive Density Bonus analysis and the Planning Department’s long-range planning efforts. Committee Chair Natasha Harper-Madison also invited several local […]
Posted inHousing
City Council passes resolution prioritizing co-op housing for older people and people with disabilities
City Council passed a resolution Thursday directing the city manager to prioritize city-owned land for the development of income-restricted, shared-equity housing for older residents and people with disabilities, including options like cooperative housing and community land trusts. The resolution also called for prioritizing sites located near public transit corridors, particularly within equitable transit-oriented developments (ETODs). […]
Posted inHousing
Housing and Planning Committee recommends City Council prioritize housing for seniors and people with disabilities
City Council’s Housing and Planning Committee voted Tuesday to recommend that Council adopt a resolution to explore prioritizing city-owned land for the development of housing for seniors and people with disabilities. The recommendation included exploring cooperative housing and community land trusts and prioritizing sites with access to public transit corridors, specifically within equitable transit-oriented developments […]
Posted inHousing
City provides updates on financial, anti-displacement efforts related to HOME initiatives
The city has started to make a series of moves intended to make it easier for middle- and low-income residents to build accessory dwelling units and generate new income from properties that are now able to host more housing. Last week’s meeting of City Council’s Housing and Planning Committee included an update from Mandy DeMayo, […]
Posted inCity Council
Council wants changes to rapid rehousing for homeless ahead of federal aid cutoff
The city will look for ways to improve and possibly restructure assistance programs for those at risk of losing their homes, in anticipation of the end of federal aid used to address homelessness. Last week, City Council approved a resolution following a recommendation from the Public Health Committee and the Housing and Planning Committee to […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Ahead of May vote, Council hears staff feedback for revised South Central Waterfront plan
Planning Department staff explained to a portion of City Council members this week why they intend to move forward with only about half of the Planning Commission’s suggested changes to the South Central Waterfront Plan. At a combined meeting of the Mobility Committee and the Housing and Planning Committee, the message from principal planner April […]
Posted inHousing
Committee hears about need for more rental assistance money
Members of the City Council Housing and Planning Committee heard about the dire straits that many renters face, not just in Austin but across the country. Community displacement prevention officer Nefertitti Jackmon told the committee on Tuesday that the program she administers, which provides rental assistance to people facing eviction, will run out of money […]
Posted inLand Development Code
City hoping to fast-track some changes to land use code
The City Council Housing and Planning Committee last week approved a resolution urging the entire Council to move forward expeditiously with several amendments to the Land Development Code, particularly as they relate to Equitable Transit Oriented Development, called ETOD in city parlance. The resolution is part of proposed Land Development Code changes related to Project […]
Posted inHousing
City planning revision of density bonus programs
Members of the city’s Housing and Planning Department say they will be hiring a consultant with expertise in creating and using incentives known as density bonuses to help them untangle the city’s myriad, often competing, development programs. Most of those programs aim to increase affordable housing in the city but have had mixed results. The […]