Position Papers and Policy Letters

 

Council Item

Item Language: Approve a resolution directing the City Manager to initiate new programs, streamline processes, and build on the City’s existing resources to ensure the recently adopted amendments to City Code Title 25 (Land Development) regarding regulations for housing units (also known as the Home Options for Middle-Income Empowerment “HOME” Initiative) are accessible to low-… Read more Council Item

Letter to Council re Affordable Development in District 8

April 3, 2023 Dear Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, and Councilmembers, The Austin Housing Coalition (AHC) represents the community of “housers” across Austin and Central Texas. We are nonprofits, affordable housing developers, housing and policy experts, and other interested organizations, businesses, and residents who support the development of safe, affordable housing for Austin residents. Austin’s Strategic… Read more Letter to Council re Affordable Development in District 8

The Austin Housing Coalition comprises nonprofits, affordable

October 25, 2023 Dear Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, Council Members, and Planning Commissioners, The Austin Housing Coalition comprises nonprofits, affordable housing developers, housing and policy experts, and other interested organizations, businesses, and residents, who support the development of safe, affordable housing for Austin residents. While our focus is generally on subsidized affordable housing, we recognize… Read more The Austin Housing Coalition comprises nonprofits, affordable

Code Amendments Timeline Joint Letter to City Council, City Manager, and Staff

July 7, 2023 To: City Council, City Manager, and Staff Re: Timeline for Implementation of Land Development Code Amendments In recent months, the Austin City Council has passed, in many cases unanimously, many progressive and pro-housing code amendments, all of which are greatly needed to combat Austin’s ever-worsening housing crisis. Our organizations commend City Council… Read more Code Amendments Timeline Joint Letter to City Council, City Manager, and Staff

Eliminate Occupancy Limits Joint Statement to City Council

June 1, 2023 Eliminate Occupancy Limits – City of Austin Land Development Code Our organizations are writing in support of eliminating Austin’s policy of regulating occupancy by familial status, as the current rules around occupancy limits are discriminatory and are making Austin less affordable for many households. As the City Council is well aware, Austin… Read more Eliminate Occupancy Limits Joint Statement to City Council

Housing Development Loan Terms Letter to Austin Housing and Planning Department

November 16, 2022 Greetings, This letter comes to you from the Community Advocacy Committee of the Austin Housing Coalition, and is representative of feedback from affordable housing developers, consultants, and lenders. Over the past few years this group has worked with the new HPD team to add more affordable units than at any time in… Read more Housing Development Loan Terms Letter to Austin Housing and Planning Department

Stormwater Code Amendments

September 21, 2022 RE: Stormwater Code Amendments Dear Planning Commission, The Austin Housing Coalition (AHC) encourages Planning Commission to consider the impact to affordable housing of the 2022 Environmental Code Stormwater Amendments associated with Resolution 20220609-061 and asks that the City of Austin pause any proposed code amendments until it is determined that they will… Read more Stormwater Code Amendments

Parkland Fees Letter to City Council

August 16, 2022 Dear Mayor and City Council Members, The Austin Housing Coalition is writing in support of the proposed budget amendment by Councilmember Natasha Harper-Madison to freeze the parkland dedication fees for fiscal year 2022-2023. We also support reconvening stakeholders to review and provide recommendations on ways to improve the parkland dedication fee process.… Read more Parkland Fees Letter to City Council

Vertical Mixed Use Letter to City Council

April 18, 2022 Dear Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, and Councilmembers, The Austin Housing Coalition is a coalition of nonprofit agencies and other interested organizations, businesses, and residents who support the creation, improvement, and preservation of affordable housing for the Austin community. We believe that with the limited tools available to produce and preserve affordable housing… Read more Vertical Mixed Use Letter to City Council

Affordability Letter to City Council

November 24, 2022 Dear Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, and Councilmembers, The Austin Housing Coalition is a coalition of nonprofit agencies and other interested organizations, businesses, and residents who support the creation, improvement, and preservation of affordable housing for the Austin community. We were thrilled to learn of the decision to convene a special-called meeting to… Read more Affordability Letter to City Council