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Quote of the Day
“Based on previous findings, peer city models and updated financial analysis, staff finds that while moderate-income homeowners may benefit from assistance, an ADU financing program is unlikely to effectively serve low-income households or deliver a significant number of deeply affordable units.”
— from Housing staff suggest ADU pilot program aimed at 80% MFI households
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Housing staff suggest ADU pilot program aimed at 80% MFI households
From Chad Swiatecki:
In a recent memo responding to a 2023 resolution from City Council, Interim Housing Director Mandy DeMayo outlined findings that suggest a large-scale accessory dwelling unit (ADU) financing initiative would be difficult to implement effectively. Instead, staff are recommending a small-scale pilot program aimed at moderate-income homeowners, provided that Council allocates roughly $1.5 million to fund loans, staffing and outreach.
The memo is the latest in a series of staff responses to Council resolutions calling for new financial tools to support ADU construction, particularly for low- and moderate-income homeowners. Earlier Council actions — including resolutions in 2020, 2021, and last year — have pushed staff to explore a variety of approaches to incentivize infill housing. ADUs, often seen as a lower-impact way to increase housing supply, have remained a central focus in those efforts.
Austin is losing even more water to leaky city pipes than previously thought
From Mose Buchele, KUT News
According to Austin’s Water Audit Report, the city lost nearly 9.3 billion gallons of water last year. That’s enough to fill the lake four times, and an increase of nearly 31% from 2023.
The report, a document utilities must file with the state’s Water Development Board every year, found the city lost about 24 gallons of water per Austin resident per day last year, up from 21 gallons in 2023.
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Retirement fund funded
Gov. Greg Abbott has signed HB 2802, legislation aimed at restoring the financial stability of the Austin Firefighters Retirement Fund, which has long faced a funding gap of more than $300 million. The measure follows an agreement and memorandum of understanding reached in April between the City and AFRF leaders. Supported unanimously in House and Senate committee hearings on April 23–24, HB 2802 establishes a two-tier retirement system and mandates the city chip in extra funds to address the fund’s unfunded liability. Under the new law, current and future Austin firefighters will receive pension benefits keyed to their hire date, tenure, and retirement timing, bringing parity with systems for Austin’s police and other city retirees. Key stakeholders including Mayor Kirk Watson, Austin CFO Ed Van Eenoo, and retirees’ group leader Ruben Vallejo offered favorable testimony at hearings. The Texas Pension Review Board had previously labeled the fund “at-risk” under the Funding Soundness Restoration Plan framework back in September 2023. The risk was in large part tied to a cost-of-living increase given to retirees in recent years that was too generous to fall in line with the plan’s future obligations. With HB 2802 now law, the city will begin purchasing down the remaining liability, securing the pension’s solvency for decades to come.
On the Council message board , Watson celebrated the resolution of the issue.
“This is a big win for the City of Austin generally and our retired firefighters and those who will retire. It restores financial soundness, which was our main goal,” he wrote in part. “I’m grateful to Representatives John Bucy and Donna Howard and to Senators Charles Schwertner and Pete Flores for carrying the bill. And, finally, thanks to Chairwomen Joan Huffman and her staff, especially Sean Opperman, and Chairman Stan Lambert and his team for their assistance and help.”
— Chad Swiatecki
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ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
Welp, the robotaxis have launched.
In less-controversial vehicle news, the city has debuted its very first electric waste collection truck.
KEYE checks in with former mayor Steve Adler to get his take on the city since leaving office.
The Texas Tribune confirms that public schools will be required to display the Ten Commandments in Texas.
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