Members of the city’s disability committee want to focus requests for next year’s budget on addressing the shortage of housing affordable for those who receive federal or state disability assistance, which typically falls short of the local threshold for affordable housing. Last month’s meeting of the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities featured presentations and […]
Chad Swiatecki
Chad Swiatecki is a 20-year journalist who relocated to Austin from his home state of Michigan in 2008. He most enjoys covering the intersection of arts, business and local/state politics. He has written for Rolling Stone, Spin, New York Daily News, Texas Monthly, Austin American-Statesman and many other regional and national outlets.
Posted inWhispers
TxDOT lauded for curbing pedestrian fatalities along I-35
Efforts to reduce pedestrian fatalities on Interstate 35 have earned the Texas Department of Transportation federal recognition in the form of a 2023 National Roadway Safety Award. The Mobility35 pedestrian safety program was launched in 2017 to address the safety of those living in homeless encampments, who represented 80 percent of pedestrian fatalities in the […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Music Commission pushes Council to aid Red River venue district
The Music Commission wants City Council to approve a round of gap financing, possibly as part of mid-year budget amendments, to provide ongoing organizational support to the Red River Cultural District and its cluster of live music venues in the heart of downtown. Commission members unanimously supported the item, which didn’t specify a dollar amount […]
Posted inWhispers
Austin Chamber announces new board leadership, members
Rudy Garza, president and CEO of GarzaEMC, has been selected as the board chair for Austin Chamber for 2024, with Mark Ramseur, managing principal of Pape-Dawson Engineers, named as chair elect for 2025. Garza also serves on multiple boards throughout the city, including the Real Estate Council of Austin, Leadership Austin and Salvation Army, and […]
Posted inWhispers
Study: Austin’s apartment market still hot, but cooling
Austin renters still have more competition for finding a new home than their peers across the nation, but data from a leading rental technology company shows the increases to the local housing supply are having an effect on the market. A report from RentCafe found that in 2023, apartments in Austin were leased two days […]
Posted inWhispers
Affordable Central Texas announces board changes ahead of expansion
Affordable Central Texas, which manages the Austin Housing Conservancy middle-income housing group, has announced changes to its board. Former Chair Steve LeBlanc has retired from the board, with CEO David Steinwedell taking over the chair position. Shar Kassam, who has previously served as an investment officer for Employees Retirement System of Texas, has joined the […]
Posted inWhispers
Kelly offers latest emergency response training course
City Council Member Mackenzie Kelly is offering another Community Emergency Response Team training course this weekend at the Jollyville Fire Department on Anderson Mill Road. The classes will take place at 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12; 8 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 13; and 8 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 14. Participants will be learning CERT responsibilities, including disaster […]
Posted inHousing
Foundation Communities seeks emergency funds and eyes coming apartment surge
Affordable housing nonprofit Foundation Communities has put out the call to raise an additional $50,000 to help cover emergency needs for low-income residents at risk of losing their homes. The group, which provides a number of support services to help people stay in their homes, experienced a rush of requests over the holiday season and […]
Posted inWhispers
PARD, Parks Foundation partner for all-abilities park
The Austin Parks Foundation has partnered with the Parks and Recreation Department to create the city’s first all-abilities playground at Onion Creek Metropolitan Park. The two entities will spend this year gathering public input on the plan for the park, with the first virtual session scheduled for Jan. 18. Supporters expect the park to be […]
Posted inAustin
Economic forecasters see local climate as ‘strong, but uncertain’ in 2024
After years of financial shocks and ongoing government spending to offset the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, financial analysts expect 2024 to be less volatile but still somewhat uncertain for the nation and state. The good news for the Austin area is strong growth trends and the state’s unexpected budget surpluses in recent years will […]
Posted inWhispers
City recognized for digital inclusion, literacy programs
Austin was named a leader in the area of digital inclusion in 2023, in part because of its efforts to address the digital divide that many residents face. The National Digital Inclusion Alliance awarded the city one of its Digital Inclusion Trailblazer awards, which recognized access to affordable high-speed internet, devices and digital skills training […]
Posted inWhispers
Moving? Austin stayed among top relocation spots in 2023
Austin remains one of the most popular relocation destinations in the country, according to one of the biggest players in the home moving industry. U-Haul, which provides moving vehicles to those looking to relocate, reported recently that Austin was the No. 5 most popular destination for its customers in 2023. The company also found Texas […]