Latest Headlines for Monday, June 23

Housing staff suggest ADU pilot program aimed at 80% MFI households

City housing staff say a publicly-funded program to help homeowners build accessory dwelling units would likely see limited uptake and may fall short of the city’s affordability goals, particularly for households most at risk of displacement. In a recent memo…

Housing • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 22, 2025

Austin is losing even more water to leaky city pipes than previously thought

Austin’s leaky pipe problem keeps getting worse. In recent years, the city’s water utility has recorded losses of about 7 billion gallons annually due to leaks in its treatment and distribution system. That’s about enough water to fill Lady Bird…

Water • By Mose Buchele, KUT • Jun 22, 2025

Dozens of city music grants stalled over missing final reports

Sixty recipients of Austin’s Live Music Fund grants are currently in non-compliance with the city’s reporting requirements, leaving more than half a million dollars in hotel tax funds unpaid and effectively frozen, according to data presented at the June 16…

Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 19, 2025

Council reaffirms its commitment to making Austin a more age-friendly city

Austin is getting older, and its growing population of residents aged 65 and up is living proof. In fact, those between 65 and 74 represented the fastest-growing age group between 2010 and 2020, according to city reports. With that demographic…

City Council • By Amy Smith • Jun 19, 2025

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Planning Commission settles on recommendation in controversial doggy daycare zoning case

A rezoning case for an out-of-compliance doggy daycare in South Austin’s Sweetbriar neighborhood earned the recommendation of Austin’s Planning Commission (and the scorn of some of neighbors) last week. Planning commissioners heard the case for the second time during their…

Zoning • By Miles Wall • Jun 17, 2025

Travis County calls for ‘constitutional and humane’ treatment of immigrants

Last week, amid nationwide protests against the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, Hays County passed a resolution affirming its support for the “constitutional and humane treatment of migrants.” Travis County followed suit in its meeting this week, passing a resolution that…

Public Safety • By Lina Fisher • Jun 17, 2025

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Austin ISD eliminating jobs at its central office to reduce budget deficit

Austin ISD is trying to slash up to $10 million in spending by restructuring its central administrative office. Staff will learn the future of their positions Wednesday. “The process will include eliminating positions, reassignments, new reporting structures and pay scales,”…

Education • By Becky Fogel, KUT • Jun 17, 2025

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…

Planning • By Miles Wall • Jun 16, 2025

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…

Housing • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 15, 2025

Judge upholds Austin vote on plan to redevelop old Statesman site

A judge has ruled against an environmental group that sued the city of Austin, alleging elected officials violated state law with their vote allowing redevelopment along the shores of Lady Bird Lake. Travis County judge Jan Soifer did not include a reason for her…

Courts • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Jun 13, 2025

Despite safety concerns, Council OKs new buildings above Shoal Creek

Austin City Council last week approved adding the Vertical Mixed Use “V” to the property located from 1501 to 1603 Shoal Creek Boulevard, after a hearing that featured considerable discussion about the geologically sensitive area. Council Member Paige Ellis abstained,…

Zoning • By Jo Clifton • Jun 12, 2025

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…

Housing • By Kali Bramble • Jun 12, 2025

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NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT

Nonprofit spotlight: Four questions for American Gateways

American Gateways ensures access to the justice system for low-income immigrants. We serve 23 counties in Central Texas and provide high-quality legal representation and accurate information about what is happening in our immigration system. What is the mission of American…