Council OKs 4 percent tax credit for new apartment construction

During Thursday’s meeting, City Council approved the proposed application for a 4 percent tax credit for the construction of an affordable multi-family development. To qualify for the tax credit when applying through the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, applicants are required to obtain a resolution from the city. The new construction is part of Austin’s Strategic Housing Plan, which aims to create affordable housing in Austin for a wide range of incomes. The completed development is to be called Creekview Apartment Homes, and will be located near the intersection of Old Manor and Springdale roads, offering “100% affordable housing for incomes at or below 60% Median Family Income,” which is currently “$46,680 for a 4-person household.” Seven speakers voiced their support for the new development at the meeting, praising the ideal location, their confidence in the developer and as speaker Melissa Fisher, who represents the owner and developer put it: “A great family opportunity to get some real affordable family housing in the (Austin) area.” Although Council Member Ora Houston agreed that the proposed development is “indeed going to be a great project,” and commended the timely and thorough responses received regarding the application, she was still apprehensive with the location. Houston expressed the concern that housing units would be placed in a location that is at “the edge of the city where services are limited.” She stated that there would only be two schools in walking distance from the apartments and there is no “access to health care anywhere near the area.” Council Member Ellen Troxclair, also in opposition, shared Houston’s concerns, adding that there hasn’t been “a whole lot of conversation about what we can do to make sure affordable housing is being built in the best places possible in our city.” Council approved the resolution of no objection in a vote of 8-2, with Troxclair and Houston voting in opposition. Council Member Delia Garza was absent.

This whisper has been changed since publication to correct a typo.