AUSTIN, Texas — The City of Austin has a goal to build 60,000 affordable housing units by 2028.
Austin is currently halfway into that 10-year plan. A new report from HousingWorks Austin says 10,444 units have been built between 30% and 80% of the Median Family Income (MFI) in the past five years. Only 363 units built over the last five years were at 30% MFI or below.
District 6 met 37% of Austin's goal in 2022, but only 5% of the 10-year goal. District 4 in East Austin has the highest percentage completed, with 50% of its 10-year goal.
"It’s also about where they are being built because of how affordable the land is. If you are a developer it’s going to be more expensive on the north or west side," said Nora Linares-Moeller, executive director of HousingWorks Austin.
Districts 8 and 10 produced no affordable units in 2022. Both districts built 2% or less of their 10-year goal.
"I think the developers need incentive programs to kick into gear to buy land there and build there," Linares-Moeller said. "I think we can look at preserving more housing."
Overall, she said more units were built in Austin than the previous year.
"I think it’s going take everyone to get us to goals we want to get to," Linares-Moeller said.
Glenda Dennis is a single mother of two who lives in North Austin. She said Austin is moving in the wrong direction.
"Financially, it’s an everyday struggle. I work full-time at a warehouse," Dennis said. "Compared to rent and the cost of living has gone backwards, to be honest with you."
But she said she was thankful to work with nonprofits like Foundation Communities and recently got into the Loretta Apartment Complex. Through her qualifications, she was able to get a two-bedroom apartment for $900 a month.
Dennis said it was a big relief from what she had been paying at her last place.
"I think they are fair about making sure you can still have money left over to pay rent," Dennis said.
Foundation Communities and others are trying to bring more affordable housing to Austin. Dennis said she hope more affordable housing continues.
"For the kids, really," Dennis said. "People that have families. I know people that have kids or married are struggling."
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