Chris Riley on Affordable Housing

We need to ensure that ample housing options exist for Austinites at all income levels. Much work has been done on this issue in the past, and we can build on that work by taking the following steps:

  • Set clear goals for affordability. Council should provide clear policy direction embracing the three long-term goals recommended by the Affordable Housing Incentives Task Force:
    • Geographic dispersion of affordable housing;
    • Long-term affordability; and
    • Deeper levels of affordability
  • Coordinate planning. The new Comprehensive Plan should set affordability targets by sector, in terms of both numbers of units and affordability levels. The plan needs to be in sync with both the 5-year Consolidated Plan for housing, which will be updated in the coming months, and the 1-year Action Plan that aims to implement the Consolidated Plan.
  • Create a coherent template of incentives. Almost two years after the Affordable Housing Incentives Task Force report, we still have a disjointed array of incentive programs, most of which took shape under different housing market and City budget conditions than we face today. We need to revisit the Task Force’s work and renew its efforts toward a coherent template of incentives that lead to meaningful, measurable progress toward the goals identified in the report.
  • Pursue new housing programs. The 2005 Baxter Bill, which generally prohibits inclusionary zoning, leaves the door open for voluntary programs designed to increase the supply of affordable housing. It also allows for requirements applicable to areas like the Homestead Preservation District in East Austin, established under legislation sponsored by Rep. Eddie Rodriguez. We need to make use of these opportunities to help meet our housing goals, especially in East Austin and in Transit-Oriented Developments.
  • Utilize city-owned land. Land held by the city presents opportunities for addressing a number of community needs, including the need for affordable housing. Whenever possible, we should combine uses to make the most of available space: for example, instead of surrounding a branch library with surface parking, residential units can be placed above structured or underground parking. And whenever the city sells land, we ought to require that some percentage of it be dedicated for affordable housing.
  • Help residents keep their homes. With foreclosures and evictions rising, the city needs to make aggressive use of federal funding such as Tenant-Based Rental Assistance to help current residents remain in their homes. The city should also work with non-profits and volunteers to promote programs that help families avoid homelessness through mentoring and financial assistance.
  • Support private-sector affordable housing efforts. At a time when public funds are scarce, we can do more with less by empowering non-governmental partners, like nonprofit housing organizations and private builders, to carry part of the burden of meeting affordable housing needs. The City can play an important part in these efforts – for example, by making city-owned land available for affordable housing development. The City should also seek federal economic stimulus funding for infrastructure investments that would reduce costs for drainage, utility, and other improvements currently shouldered by non-profit and for-profit builders of affordable housing.