While activists are calling on Austin to spend $18-million next year to combat gentrification, the Community Development Commission’s recommendation is closer to $3.5-million. That plan includes $2-million for “deeply affordable” housing units, with the rest going toward things like emergency assistance and legal representation for tenants facing eviction.
Gentrification is expected to factor into Austin’s new city budget. There are now dueling proposals to address displacement. Activists demand the city budget $18-million toward the issue, the Community Development Commission has a vision that’s closer to $3.5-million. Jonathan Tomko with the Neighborhood Housing Development department said, “We acknowledge that the public is still engaging and we look forward to kind of evaluating feedback that we are receiving from public.” The Neighborhood Housing Development department recommendation includes $2-million for deeply affordable housing units, with the rest going toward things like emergency rental assistance and legal help for tenants facing eviction.Tomko explained this plan was chosen from 600 different recommendations, “It was developed by evaluating alot of different community reports. Including, the UT Gentrification Study, the Peoples Plan, The Mayor’s Taskforce on Institutional Racism.”
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