Government officials and community activists from across the state gathered outside the Texas Capitol on Tuesday to voice support for taking legal action to stop the so-called “sanctuary cities” law. Senate Bill 4, which goes into effect September 1, allows officers to question the immigration status of people they detain. It would also punish law […]
Syeda Hasan
Posted inHousing
Austin won’t reopen its housing voucher waitlist anytime soon
The federal housing choice voucher program, which used to be called Section 8, is aimed at helping low-income families meet their housing costs. Here in Austin, it’s one way the city is trying to meet the growing demand for deeply affordable housing. But concerns about federal funding shortfalls mean the program won’t be open to […]
Posted inCity Council
Council Member Flannigan seeks to revise Austin’s drainage fee system
For much of her life as a homeowner, Joan Reames never noticed the drainage charge on her monthly utility bill. That was until the city revised the system in 2015. Reames said the monthly fee for her condo complex suddenly increased by more than $2,000. The city sends the bill to her homeowners association. Then […]
Posted inAustin
Austin’s Visitor Impact Task Force nearing deadline to report to City Council
For the past several months, Austin’s Visitor Impact Task Force has been exploring new uses for the millions of tax dollars brought in by the city’s hotels. The group also has to contend with a host of state and local regulations that govern how exactly the funds can be spent. Revenue from Austin’s Hotel Occupancy […]
Posted inHousing
Judge orders Cross Creek Apartment complex to make repairs
For years, residents of the Cross Creek Apartments in North Austin have been complaining about poor living conditions. They say they continue to pay rent while living with broken windows, poor security and a lack of hot water, among other issues. Jorge Menchaca, who has lived at the affordable housing complex for about six years, […]
Posted inHousing
Council members consider ways to refine Strategic Housing Plan
In recent weeks, the release of Austin’s first-ever strategic housing plan has faced scrutiny as well as garnered support at public meetings. The plan aims to address the city’s growing affordability crisis by setting goals for new housing production. Tomorrow, City Council members are set to vote on whether or not to adopt the plan, […]
Posted inPlanning
Austin launches initiative to redesign Congress Avenue
For Austin visitors, it’s hard to beat the iconic view of the Texas Capitol from Congress Avenue. But for those who live and work along the corridor, the streetscape could use some improvements. On a Friday afternoon, about a dozen customers sit and sip coffees at the Hideout Theatre and Coffee House downtown. But in […]
Posted inHousing
Austin plan sets goals for more affordable housing. But where should it go?
City Council is set to vote this week on whether to adopt the city’s first-ever housing plan. The plan aims to address Austin’s growing affordability crisis by setting goals for new housing production. But apart from encouraging more affordable housing, there’s also the question of where exactly it should go. The Strategic Housing Plan sets […]
Posted inAustin
Austin parks groups propose new uses for hotel tax funds
Several groups made their cases for funding last night at a meeting of the Visitors Impact Task Force. The board is charged with exploring new uses for hotel tax revenue before a decision by City Council. Board members heard from Kim McKnight with the Parks and Recreation Department. “While the promotion of amenities paid for […]
Posted inZoning
Rainey Street traffic study calls for less parking, more pedestrian crossings
Last year, residents of the Rainey Street neighborhood struck a deal with a developer looking to build new condos in the area. They agreed to conduct a comprehensive traffic study, determining what the most pressing transportation needs are and how they could be affected by new development. Preliminary findings of the study show that on […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Community organizers want wider multilingual outreach on CodeNEXT
The city of Austin is in the process of adopting a new land development code that will govern everything from parking requirements to how tall buildings can be. As the city begins rolling out the proposal, some think the information needs to be translated into more languages, making it accessible to more Austin residents. The […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
As rents push artists out, city seeks alternative space in houses of worship
In recent years, Austin’s creative community has been feeling the brunt of the city’s affordability crisis. As rents continue to rise, many artists have moved away, and studios and galleries have closed their doors. Now, the city is looking to provide creative space for artists in some unexpected places, by partnering with local houses of […]