Bill Aleshire, who represents civic activist Brian Rodgers in his open meetings lawsuit against the city over the handling of the Pilot Knob case, has offered to settle the suit. Rodgers is asking the city to rescind its action or to sign a final judgment declaring the City Council action void. On Dec. 17, Council […]
affordable housing
This general term refers to housing that is affordable to Austinites, with or without subsidy.
Posted inHousing
Council OKs more affordable housing funds
During last week’s State of Our City address, Mayor Steve Adler said it is projected that City Council will put $68.2 million into the city’s Housing Trust Fund over the next decade, not including funds from Pilot Knob. So where, exactly, is all that money coming from? In a move that will more than double […]
Posted inCity Council
Oak Creek affordable housing debate just starting
A developer seeking state tax credits to fund an affordable housing complex in North Austin got a boost from City Council on Thursday, despite loud objections from a large group of neighbors as well as familiar criticism of housing subsidies from the most conservative member of Council. Council voted 9-2 to endorse Saigebrook Development LLC’s […]
Posted inCity Council
Pilot Knob deal turmoil continues
At Tuesday’s work session, Mayor Steve Adler launched a discussion on the Pilot Knob planned unit development with a spirited defense of City Council’s now controversial decision to redirect the PUD’s water and wastewater impact fees to the city’s affordable housing trust fund. The fees would normally be paid instead to the Austin Water utility. […]
Posted inAISD
Shrinking AISD enrollment could be new normal
Trustees for the Austin Independent School District are asking district staff to let them know what variables they have control over after hearing grim student enrollment projections. At Monday’s workshop meeting, board members heard the results of an annual demographics report conducted by Davis Demographics & Planning Inc. The yearly report estimated that AISD’s enrollment will drop […]
Posted inHousing
Oracle: when a tech company expands in Austin
Demolition, it seems, follows Robin Wilkins. Wilkins, 54, moved into the Lakeview Apartments on South Lakeshore Boulevard after another apartment building she was living in was slated to be torn down. She stayed for five years, paying no more than $720 a month for a two-bedroom apartment. Nonetheless, throughout that stay she knew the fate […]
Posted inDevelopment
Council backs affordable housing development, despite location concerns
City Council gave the nod Thursday to a new 324-unit multifamily affordable housing development partially financed by 4 percent noncompetitive tax credits from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. The Council vote of “no objection” was required in order for the applicant, NRP Group, to submit its application for the tax credits to […]
Posted inCity Council
Council makes density bonus rules more stringent
Changes to the city’s Planned Unit Development density bonus program, designed to encourage developers to build more on-site affordable housing, won City Council approval on a vote of 10-1 on Thursday. Only Council Member Don Zimmerman voted against the overall changes, but Council Members Sheri Gallo and Ellen Troxclair abstained on one amendment. Mayor Pro […]
Posted inAustin
Austin Habitat for Humanity celebrates new headquarters, CEO
2015 has been an eventful year for Austin Habitat for Humanity. With bright new headquarters and a new leader at the helm, the nonprofit has built itself up into a good position to further help with the issue of affordable housing in Austin. Austin Habitat’s new headquarters at the corner of Highway 71 and South […]
Posted inCity Hall
City audit finds trouble with affordable housing
A city audit has found that Austin does not have an effective strategy to meet its current affordable housing needs. The audit of the Neighborhood Housing and Community Development Department found that NHCD “has not adopted a clear goal, established timelines, or developed affordable housing numerical targets to evaluate its efforts in fulfilling the City’s […]
Posted inPlanning
Pilot Knob attorney seeks fee waivers
City Council heard more ideas about how to create more long-lasting affordable housing in the Pilot Knob Municipal Utility District last night. But, on agreement between Council Member Delia Garza and Richard Suttle, the attorney for the developer, the vote on second reading for zoning was postponed for one week. The developer, Brookfield Residential, has […]
Posted inCourts
Court denies injunction against Foundation Communities
How much havoc can one neighbor wreak on a $20 million affordable housing project backed by federal, state and local governments and nonprofits? Potentially, quite a bit. On Tuesday, Foundation Communities avoided potential disaster for its Bluebonnet Studios on South Lamar when Judge Rhonda Hurley denied an injunction that would have stopped construction on the […]