Austin selected as member of national network to combat displacement

There are 10 cities in PolicyLink’s All-In Cities Anti-Displacement Policy Network, and Austin will be one of them. The network’s purpose is to develop a comprehensive anti-displacement policy agenda thorough exploring equitable development strategies like inclusionary zoning, community land trusts and renter protection programs. The other nine member cities are Boston; Buffalo, New York; Denver; Nashville, Tennessee; Philadelphia; Portland, Oregon; San Jose, California; Santa Fe, New Mexico; and Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota. Representatives from the participating cities will have their first meeting in Chicago at the PolicyLink Equity Summit from April 11 to 13. Austin’s representatives include Nefertitti Jackmon, executive director of Six Square – Austin’s Black Cultural District; José M.A. Velásquez, executive director of Hermanos de East Austin; Nadia Kalinchuk, program manager for the city’s Equity Office; and Matthew Ramirez, planner in the Neighborhood Housing and Community Development Department, as well as Mayor Steve Adler and Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo. “Dealing with displacement is a huge priority for Austin,” said Tovo in the city’s news release. “Our collaboration with other cities will help us identify the most effective strategies, and our team’s participation will complement other anti-displacement efforts currently underway in Austin.”