Recommendation Number: 2025032907: Family Stabilization Program as a Mechanism for Promoting Housing Stability — original pdf

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BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Commission on Immigrant Affairs Recommendation Number: 2025032907: Family Stabilization Program as a Mechanism for Promoting Housing Stability WHEREAS, affordability continues to be one of the most common issues expressed by residents. The Family Stabilization Program offers more flexible access to housing support, accords more choice and dignity, reduces discrimination, and offers more efficient and cost-effective housing; and WHEREAS, at the Community Voices & Choices: Joint Inclusion Committee FY26 Budget Input Sessions, several residents expressed support again for the ongoing funding of this program; and WHEREAS, according to findings from the Urban Institute’s report titled Evaluation of the Austin Guaranteed Income Pilot, it can be very difficult for cities like Austin to meet their residents’ needs through subsidized house programs, as federal housing programs have limited reach and limited funding; and WHEREAS, even Austin residents that are lucky enough to receive federal housing assistance continue to struggle with housing issues, and about 40% of households nationally that receive a voucher never successfully lease a unit; and WHEREAS, in Austin, most voucher holders were only able to move to less desirable housing on the outskirts of the city, which may cause additional burdens like poor transportation options, limited access to healthy foods, limited access to medical care, and employment and caregiving challenges. WHEREAS, other forms of housing assistance provide specific housing units; however, this comes with its own problems. Residents have limited options, if any. Buildings are only required to keep their rents affordable for a certain period of time, and then they can increase rent, these units are set up to be affordable based on the area median income (AMI), and they do not provide the deep affordability that residents need; and WHEREAS, according to the report, Austin’s local affordable housing inventory lists six times the number of units with rents set to be affordable at 80 percent of AMI as units with rents set to be affordable at 30 percent of AMI, Additionally, these units offer set rental prices, and the person is still responsible for paying the full rent even if they experience job insecurity; and WHEREAS, according to findings from the Urban Institute’s report titled Evaluation of the Austin Guaranteed Income Pilot, participants reported spending, on average, more than 50% of their pilot cash to cover housing costs, and the average share participants spent on housing was more than twice as much spending in any other category; and WHEREAS, improved housing security allowed for participants to also focus on other goals, including financial investing, skills building, expanding their professional networks, and pursuing additional education; and WHEREAS, overall, median household incomes increased over time: Information from the Urban Institute’s report titled Evaluation of the Austin Guaranteed Income Pilot includes demographic information for those in the pilot: WHEREAS, the Fiscal Year 25 budget allocated one-time funding of $1.3 million to the Family Stabilization Grant Program. The current funding level is inadequate to meet the needs of the community. For example, one of the organizations, BASTA, received 200 applications. After determining eligibility, BASTA used a lottery system to select the 5% of participants who were enrolled; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin and Austin City Council continue to recognize the benefits the the community as a whole. Family Stabilization Program has on THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Commission on Immigrant Affairs recommends an ongoing funding of $3 million for FY26. individuals and Date of Approval: ____________ Record of the vote: Commissioners Present: Attest: _______ __________ (Staff or board member can sign)