‘Unintended consequences': Austin reworking affordable housing incentive program
AUSTIN (KXAN) — For months, residents at Acacia Cliffs Apartments — near MoPac and Far West Boulevard — have been fighting a rezoning request from the building's owners that would result in the demolition of the aging complex to rebuild a newer, taller apartment complex.
For Eric Gomez, who has lived at Acacia Cliffs since 2016, it could mean he'll no longer be able to afford living in a spot that allows him to easily get to work, the grocery store, the library and a nearby hospital. He's one of the residents showing up at city hall regularly, asking city council members to shut down that rezoning request.
But what the residents may not have known at first is that — for now — city council has tied its hands on what it can do in cases like this one. The options here: Approve the rezoning request under Austin's DB90 program, which only requires developers to commit to a certain number of affordable units in exchange for loosened height restrictions, or don't approve the rezoning request and allow the developer to demolish the complex anyways, rebuild it under the same zoning structure and commit no affordable units to the city's pipeline at all.
'DB90 has been an unhappy experience. Even with Council's well motivated goals for DB90, this density program, as currently created, is proving to be divisive, difficult to utilize, and ultimately too far from achieving the goal of Council to provide more housing by allowing more density,' Austin Mayor Kirk Watson wrote. He continued, 'The unintended consequences we're seeing need to be addressed.'
That's why Austin City Council is voting on changes to DB90 Thursday in an attempt to close those loopholes. One group of council members — Jose Velasquez, Chito Vela, Zo Qadri, Mike Siegel — and the mayor are proposing the city's density bonus programs be reworked entirely.
'The main thrust of the resolution is creation of a hierarchy of density bonus paper districts that include both lower and higher heights than DB90. This is a critical necessity in our code, as this provides options that may allow for better outcomes,' Watson said.
Meanwhile, Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes said she wants the city to prioritize a one-for-one unit replacement. And Austin City Council Member Marc Duchen is looking to fund a new preservation program altogether — modeled after other cities like Dallas.
'This would give us another enormous tool in our arsenal that could start working in as little as three months to start buying down the affordability and making sure that we are extending the life of these properties,' he explained of his proposal.
You can see all of the proposals from Austin City Council members on this message board heading into Thursday's council meeting.
Gomez said he'll be there Thursday, asking for a solution that lets him stay where he is, at a price he can afford.
'Everyone needs to be made aware of it and make sure that the policies that the city council members create are actually indeed doing what they're supposed to be doing and not the opposite,' he said.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
State Rep. Jolanda Jones to campaign for seat left vacant by congressman's death
AUSTIN (KXAN)– Texas State Rep. Jolanda Jones announced Monday her campaign for Congress, seeking to fill the seat left vacant by Rep. Sylvester Turner's death earlier this year. The Houston Democrat becomes the latest candidate to enter what has become a competitive race for the 18th Congressional District, joining Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee, former Houston City Council member Amanda Edwards, energy executive Zoe Cadore, realtor Peter Filler, community advocate Robert Slater and independent candidates Reyna Anderson and Chance Davis. Jones emphasized her commitment to protecting federal programs and constitutional freedoms in her campaign launch, positioning herself as an experienced advocate ready to confront Republican policy initiatives in Washington. The Nov. 4 special election will determine Turner's replacement in a district considered safely Democratic. Turner died in March after serving just two months of his first term. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee previously held the seat before her death in 2024. Gov. Greg Abbott sets Nov. 4 special election to fill U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner's seat Gov. Greg Abbott faced criticism from Democrats for waiting to schedule the special election until the November uniform election date, leaving the district without representation for nine months. However the extended timeline allowed Jones to complete the legislative session before launching her congressional campaign, as she had pledged to focus on her state house duties until the session concluded. Menefee criticized the governor's decision, stating it was 'unconscionable to leave nearly 800,000 people in this district without representation in Congress for most of the year.' Abbott defended the timeline, citing concerns about Harris County's election administration capabilities, though county officials disputed his characterization of their election operations. Jones brings diverse government experience to the congressional race. She has represented House District 147 at the State Capitol since winning the election in 2022, where she worked on criminal justice, health policy and redistricting issues. Before her legislative service, Jones spent four years on Houston City Council representing an at-large position from 2008-2012. She also served on the Houston Independent School District school board. The veteran attorney waited until the end of the legislative session to announce her congressional campaign, citing her responsibility to current constituents in the state house. Her legal practice spans more than two decades, during which she worked on high-profile cases including efforts to reform Houston's police crime laboratory following evidence handling problems. In Congress, Jones said she would prioritize defending social programs, including Social Security and Medicare from potential reductions. She also plans to advocate for expanded healthcare access and reproductive rights restoration. The candidate emphasized her long-standing advocacy for women's healthcare autonomy and pledged to work toward reversing federal abortion restrictions. Veterans' benefits protection and education funding would also receive focus under her congressional agenda, along with infrastructure investments for the Houston region. Several Democrats have already launched campaigns for the seat: Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee entered the race first, securing support from former congressional candidates Colin Allred and Beto O'Rourke. Lee's daughter, Erica Lee Carter, chairs his campaign organization. Former city council member Amanda Edwards brings municipal government experience and private sector leadership as head of a community solutions consulting firm. She spearheaded Houston's technology innovation initiatives during her council tenure and maintains extensive nonprofit board involvement. Energy industry executive Zoe Cadore is running after serving as a federal affairs director for Calpine Corporation. Her background includes policy work with the American Petroleum Institute and involvement in Turner's mayoral administration. Peter Filler, a real estate professional with environmental science training, offers urban forestry expertise and Texas teaching credentials to the race. Robert Slater campaigns on economic revitalization and public safety improvements, drawing from personal experiences growing up in underserved Houston communities. Independent candidates Chance Davis and Reyna Anderson, running under the 'Other' party designation, round out the field. The 18th District encompasses some of Houston's most politically active communities and serves as a crucial Democratic stronghold in Texas. With Republicans holding a narrow House majority, maintaining the seat remains important for Democratic legislative priorities. The extended vacancy has left constituents without representation during key congressional debates over federal spending and policy initiatives. Jones' candidacy adds state-level legislative experience to a field dominated by local government veterans and private sector professionals, potentially appealing to voters seeking Austin connections for federal advocacy. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
Texas paramedics to get tuition exemptions already provided to firefighters, police thanks to passed bill
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Paramedics could soon be exempt from tuition and laboratory fees while taking certain courses at public colleges and universities, thanks to a bill that recently passed in the Texas Legislature. House Bill 1105, authored by Rep. Sheryl Cole, D-Austin, applies to paramedics employed by a political subdivision of Texas. Many of Texas' paramedics are also firefighters, who already have access to fee exemptions under Texas law. Law enforcement officers also have access to exemptions. However, an author-sponsor statement of intent for HB 1105 states that as many as 6,000 paramedics in Texas are not employed by a fire department. 'In Texas, most paramedics working for a political subdivision are also employed as firefighters,' the statement reads. 'Since firefighters are eligible … most paramedics have likewise benefited from these courses and the tuition exemption.' When implemented, the law will direct the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to restrict how many remote students get exemptions to 20% of enrolled students. Austin EMS Association (AEMSA) President James Monks provided the only testimony in support of the bill during an April 15 hearing, according to legislative records. AEMSA organizes Austin-Travis County EMS workers. 'I think it was an oversight. EMS is not quite at the top of everybody's radar,' said Monks to KXAN on Thursday. 'We got left out of the loop when [fee exemption] legislation initially passed, and I just tried to convince them that the initial intent of this legislation was to include paramedics … third service just kind of got left out.' Representatives from the city of Austin, city of Houston, Texas AFL-CIO, Texas State Association of Fire and Emergency Districts, Texas Fire Chiefs Association, Conference of Urban Counties, and County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas registered in support of the bill but did not testify. No one testified against or registered opposition with the Senate's Higher Education committee. Texas AFL-CIO: Texas Legislature passes bill protecting utility workers from assaults, harassment during disasters Some AEMSA members have already indicated they will seek more training because of the bill, Monks said. He also said that the law would help ATCEMS retain staff. 'I definitely see it as step in the right direction,' Monks said. 'It's offering a further incentive for people who have their paramedic license or certification, so that they can go ahead and pursue higher education.' Bill sponsor Sen. Sarah Eckhardt, D-Austin, provided a statement to KXAN, in which she said she was proud to help pass the bill. 'Nearly 9% of Texas paramedics are employed by a standalone EMS department but are excluded from participating in the tuition exemption program offered to their counterparts who work jointly with police and fire,' Eckhardt said. 'This bill is about ensuring parity and opening vital pathways for more Texans to get to work helping their communities, especially those struggling with the greatest need for personnel.' Monks also told KXAN that he was grateful for Cole and Eckhardt, and said that their staff were 'fantastic.' Unless vetoed, HB 1105 takes effect in September. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Yahoo
Jackie Goodman, former Austin City Council Member and environmental advocate, has died
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Former Austin City Council Member and Mayor Pro Tem Jackie Goodman died, according to a social media post by current Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa on Wednesday. Goodman served as a city council member between 1993 and 2005 and a term as Mayor Pro Tem. Prior to joining the city council, she worked as an early childhood educator. Beginning in the 1970s, she contributed to environmental causes as part of the 'Zilker Park Posse,' according to the Austin History Center. She was also a member of the Save Barton Creek Association for more than 30 years, a steering committee member of Save Our Springs, and worked with other local environmental groups. During her time on the city council, Goodman successfully led a petition effort to remove term limits on council members. The Austin Commission for Women inducted Goodman into its Hall of Fame in 2016. Fuentes said she was 'saddened' by Goodman's passing. 'Jackie served our city with distinction for 12 years on Council (1993-2005) and as Mayor Pro Tem. She was a passionate advocate for environmental protection, underserved communities, and thoughtful growth,' Fuentes said. 'Our thoughts are with her family. Jackie's legacy of public service will continue to inspire Austin.' Former Austin Mayors Lee Leffingwell (2009-2015) and Will Wynn (2003-2009) also sent statements. 'Jackie was an incredibly savvy political and policy operative,' Leffingwell wrote. 'She would navigate the Council dais, and the community, as she championed the important issues around our regional growth. Her dedication to our community set a high standard. I would count on her to have the deepest understanding of the most complicated issues, and the solutions to go with them.' 'I learned so much from Jackie over the five years we served together. She was such an important voice for so many Austinites. I will miss her,' Wynn wrote. Former Travis County Tax Assessor-Collector Bruce Elfant wrote on social media that he and Goodman had been friends for over 40 years. 'She was passionate and pushy in her quiet way when it came to how the City of Austin should address growth and our environment,' Elfant said. 'I last spoke with Jackie just a few weeks ago when she was attempting to resolve an issue for a neighborhood association. Jackie's work on and off the council dais helped make Austin a better place. May her memory be a blessing.' The Travis County Democratic Party and Friends of Armadillo Park also posted tributes to the former council member. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
