To reach the goal of bringing about 500 units of affordable housing to the South Central Waterfront District, the city would need voters to approve more bond funds, for as much as $60 million. The prospects for planned affordable housing for the area south of the Congress Avenue bridge were among several issues discussed in […]
affordable housing
This general term refers to housing that is affordable to Austinites, with or without subsidy.
Posted inLand Development Code
Advocacy orgs target compatibility, parking requirements in VMU2
As City Council discusses VMU2, a proposal to allow taller buildings on sites zoned Vertical Mixed-Use in exchange for more affordable housing, advocacy groups have rallied to scrap what they say are VMU2’s biggest shortcomings: compatibility and parking requirements. “Eliminating barriers to housing development, like parking minimums and compatibility, is essential,” Chris Randazzo, Real Estate […]
Posted inLand Development Code
VMU changes not happening anytime soon
Without taking a vote, City Council members decided during Tuesday’s work session that they would postpone Thursday’s vote on the most recent proposals to enhance affordability options within the zoning category known as Vertical Mixed Use, or VMU, and the new category VMU2. Mayor Steve Adler proposed a discussion at Council’s work session on May […]
Posted inHousing
Austin says it will sell city-owned property to families affected by gentrification
The city of Austin says it will give people from gentrifying neighborhoods priority in the application process for more than two dozen homes it’s selling to low-income families. This is the first time the city plans to use what it calls a “preference policy,” which was approved by City Council members in 2018. Other cities, […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Proposed VMU changes stir compatibility controversy
The Planning Commission has recommended changes to the Vertical Mixed-Use density bonus program to let developers build taller in exchange for more affordable housing – but only after animated discussion about compatibility standards. The proposed change, if passed into ordinance by City Council, would create two tiers of VMU: VMU1 and 2. VMU1 would keep […]
Posted inHousing
Austin Habitat for Humanity gets windfall $8.5 million donation
Austin Habitat for Humanity has received an $8.5 million gift, a much-needed investment that will help the local affiliate expand the number of houses it can build and the number of Austin community members it can serve. Philanthropist and novelist MacKenzie Scott, who is worth almost $50 billion in part from her stake in Amazon, made […]
Posted inHousing
Using neighborhood demographics might create deeply affordable housing. It might also be illegal.
As Austin’s housing affordability crisis deepens, public officials and advocates are looking for ways to create more income-restricted homes – especially those that are affordable to people at the lowest end of the income spectrum. One idea, floated by the Planning Commission on Tuesday, is changing how the city calculates a key metric of affordability: […]
Posted inHousing
Austin, Travis County aim to add tens of thousands of new units to meet demand
As population and living demands explode in the greater Austin area, the Travis County Commissioners Court is grappling with the twin issues of affordable housing and housing needs. Seventy-thousand new units are needed in Austin and Travis County over the next five years to keep pace with population growth, the county projects, while the Commissioners […]
Posted inHousing
Housing department provides update on 2018 affordable housing bond expenditures
As part of its efforts to ease the city’s affordability crisis, Austin’s Housing and Planning Department stopped by the City Council Housing and Planning Committee last Tuesday to brief members on the status of affordable housing programs. The briefing tracked the $250 million in funding approved by voters in 2018. Breaking down the spending, Housing and […]
Posted inHousing
Austin to spend $65 million this year to reduce displacement near future transit lines
The city of Austin is preparing to spend $65 million this year on efforts to prevent people who live near future public transit lines from being priced out of their homes. The single largest transit expansion in Austin’s history is expected to increase demand for property near frequent transit routes, potentially making affordability problems worse […]
Posted inHousing
County approves bond sale to finance Limestone Ridge senior apartments
On Tuesday, the Commissioners Court approved a resolution authorizing the sale of revenue bonds to help finance a multifamily residential development called Limestone Ridge Senior Project. The item was taken up during a Housing Finance Corporation voting session, following the adjournment of the Commissioners Court for the day. The development is located at 7011 McKinney Falls […]
Posted inHousing
Student commission prepares to tackle affordable housing crisis
On Nov. 5, the College Student Commission voted to create a working group to study the city’s affordable housing crisis, specifically as it affects students. “I think that anyone who’s living here in Austin knows, we do have an affordable housing crisis. I don’t think the city is currently on track to meet its affordable […]