Item 3: Community Powered ATX Presentation — original pdf

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African American Quality of Life Commission COMMUNITY POWERED ATX BUILDING PEOPLE POWER FOR HOUSING & SOCIAL JUSTICE Iliana MedranoKecia PrinceHalima Foster11/5/2025CPATX: Who We Are Equity Overlay Background LDC Potential Impacts Equity Overlay Brief Overview CPATX Community Work Growth & Equity AGENDAWHO WE ARE BIPOC OrganizersA diverse group of passionate youngleaders from Austin's East Crescent,working to advocate for our communities.Lived Experience CenteredThe coalition is organized and led by theresidents and organizers most affected,ensuring their voices are at the forefront.BACKGROUND In Dec 2023 and May 2024, council and the mayor passed HOME 1 and 2 respectively. These were changes to the land development code adding more dense development to lots throughout Austin. Community members, organizers, and advocates asked for an Equity-Overlay to be included in this change. The overlay would aim to protect vulnerable communities, particularly BIPOC residents in Austin's Eastern Crescent, from potential displacement due to proposed changes in the Land Development Code (LDC). CPATX organized a coalition of over 40+ organizations that signed on to a letter in support for an equity overlay. On the day of the HOME phase 2 vote, hundreds of community members turned out to advocate at council for an equity overlay to be included in any LDC changes. UPZONING IMPACTS ON VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES Property Value Increases Granting additional entitlements may drive up market values of properties Rising Costs Potential increases in property taxes and rents Affordable Housing Loss Incentivized demolition of existing affordable apartments and homes The City of Austin Housing Department's Affordability Impact Statement acknowledges these potential consequences, highlighting the risk of reproducing existing inequalities and increasing precarity for those with the fewest resources. DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT ON BIPOC COMMUNITIES With fewer resources to weather increasing housing costs, Black residents are most likely to experience displacement or homelessness. Despite making up only 8% of Travis County's population, Black residents account for 37% of the unhoused population. Demographics Median Income (2021) ~MFI % White Households Hispanic Households Black Households $93,012 90% $57,894 50% $48,350 40% City Council passed an amendment to look into a feasibility study. 6- month delay suggested. CPATX presents at CDC Commission. CDC adopted a resolution to allocate more resources to support study APD Consulting begins community engagement for feasibility study CPATX submits recommendations to APD Consulting APD Consulting to submit APD is finalizing the report before presenting it to the city WHAT IS OUR GOAL WITH THE EQUITY/ANTI-DISPLACEMENT OVERLAY?October 2024 Early 2025November 2025This overlay would cover neighborhoods in which residents are vulnerable to displacement to PROTECT andPRESERVE existing affordable housing, and PRODUCE housing that is truly and deeply affordable.Approved zoning changes must be limited to geographic areas that are NOT considered vulnerable todisplacement based on the Uprooted Report. Council needs to initiate a Community-Based process prioritizingdirectly-impacted homeowners, renters, and residents who have experienced homelessness. Through thisprocess, community members will recommend zoning changes, protections, & investments for the EquityOverlay area.WHAT IS AN EQUITY/ANTI- DISPLACEMENT OVERLAY?WHAT’S NEEDED TO MAKE THIS WORK?Our goal is to comprehensively address the housing affordability crisis with real solutions. This includes preventing the ROOT CAUSES of displacement in our communities—market-driven luxurydevelopment, demolition of affordable housing, speculation, and rising property taxes & rents—all of which areaccelerated by market-driven upzoning. We absolutely support truly affordable density--the only housing production that actually stabilizesrents/property taxes.May 2024COMMUNITY POWERED ATX - 2025 We are working to build people power to fight for housing and social-environmental justice through: POLITICAL EDUCATION & BASE BUILDING Onboarding—recruitment & retention Social Media & Research for narrative change Teach-ins Justice values and organizing trainings PRESERVING & PRODUCING AFFORDABLE HOUSING Equity Overlay Supporting Tenant Organizing & Mutual Aid Land acquisition! CDCs! Community Land Trusts! Neighborhood Empowerment and Stabilization Building people power to effectively address gentrification and displacement in low-income housing. Mobilize & exercise our collective power, work in joint struggle, and stay connected with people COMMUNITY ORGANIZING SUMMER 2025 - NOW POLITICAL EDUCATION TEACH-INS TO BUILD SOLIDARITY WITH IMPACTED TENANTS AND LOW INCOME HOMEOWNERS RESOURCE SHARING FOR WORKING & IMMIGRANT FAMILIES COMMUNITY BBQs @ EASTERN CRESCENT NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS TO BUILD SOLIDARITY BBQS HELD AT RIVERSIDE APARTMENT THAT WILL BE UP FOR DEMOLITION FIGHTING TO PROTECT AFFORDABLE APARTMENTS FROM LUXURY TOWERS CALLING OUT REAL ESTATE INTERESTS FUNDING CITY COUNCIL CAMPAIGNS ORGANIZING TO BRING AWARENESS ON AISD SCHOOL CLOSURES THAT WILL IMPACT BLACK AND BROWN FAMILIES AND YOUTH IN THE EASTERN CRESCENT MOVING FORWARD: BALANCING GROWTH & EQUITY Community Powered ATX acknowledges Austin's continued growth and supports land development code changes that promote affordable housing for all. However, we're emphasizing the need to protect communities of color and low- income residents who have historically borne the brunt of inequities in the city. Austin can take a significant step towards protecting its most vulnerable residents from displacement. This approach aims to balance the city's growth with the principles of fairness, equity, and justice. Community Engagement Affordable Housing Involving residents in decision-making. Preserving and creating affordable options Equity Focus Managed Growth Prioritizing vulnerable communities Support for responsible development QUESTIONS? AND AREAS OF SUPPORT What are you seeing in your community? Areas of support Ensure that APD is actually engaging community members in the final report presentations. Request an update from the city on where the study stands and what next steps are. 1. If HOME 2 and compatibility revisions are not implemented in certain geographic areas isn’t that an unfair or discriminatory practice? No. Vulnerability to displacement has been studied through the Uprooted report to be based on a cluster of neighborhood characteristics, including but not limited to racial demographics of a census tract. 2. Can Council do this without running afoul of legal notice requirements and the Court’s decision in Acuna v. City of Austin? Yes. This request does not seek to make any zoning or land use code changes. This request is to halt zoning and land use code changes in certain geographic areas of the City, until we have a better understanding of how to protect vulnerable communities from gentrification and displacement. LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS AND IMPLEMENTATIONS