Austin, Texas Forming Affordable Housing Task Force

With its economy humming and housing prices rising, the city of Austin has joined other U.S. cities in looking for affordable housing solutions.

1 minute read

July 31, 2006, 5:00 AM PDT

By Alex Pearlstein

"The 14-member group of developers, housing advocates and neighborhood leaders has four months to recommend incentives the city should offer developers, such as height bonuses or waived fees, to encourage them to build more affordable units. Several cities, including Chicago, Denver and Seattle, have affordability incentives or requirements."

"Critics say (Austin) has lacked a broader, more aggressive approach despite the $55 million earmarked for affordable housing in November's bond vote. The task force effort evolved after city leaders realized that, though developers increasingly asked for extra height and density on downtown projects, Austin had no program to ask for affordable units in return."

FULL STORY: City-appointed group's goal: More affordable housing

Sunday, July 30, 2006 in Austin American-Statesman

Housing Texas

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