BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Commission on Immigrant Affairs Recommendation Number: 2025032901: Development of the Immigrant Affairs Office WHEREAS, the City of Austin values inclusivity and recognizes the immense economic, social, and cultural contributions that people of all national origins and immigration statuses have made to this country1; and WHEREAS, the City Council declared Austin a Welcoming City through Resolution No. 20140320-049 to demonstrate that the City strives to include and support immigrants in all aspects of our city; and WHEREAS, we continue to hear appreciation for the creation of the Immigrant Affairs position, along with recognition that the scope of work required is too vast for one person to manage alone; and WHEREAS, the development of an Immigrant Affairs Office would ensure that the needs of Austin's immigrant community are recognized, supported, and effectively addressed, which would allow for stronger community engagement, more responsive services, as well as better coordination across city departments to close existing gaps; and WHEREAS, a comprehensive budget plan focused on expanding staff, services, and infrastructures will promote the immigrant community’s economic mobility, human services (health care/food/legal services), education, and civic participation; and WHEREAS, ensuring immigrant inclusivity will build stronger educated communities that can contribute to economic growth, creative potential, and innovation throughout Austin and its society; and WHEREAS, in Austin, more than 18% of the population are foreign-born2; and WHEREAS, Austin’s immigrant population comes from over 120 different countries3; and WHEREAS, according to City data at iSpeak Austin, more than 85 languages are spoken throughout the City, 31% of Austinites speak a language other than English at home and 11.4% of Austinites speak English “less than very well”4; and WHEREAS, According to “Advancing Immigrant Incorporation in Austin, TX,” a report on the state of immigrant affairs at the City states that Austin has made consistent improvements and has scored highly in areas such as Government Leadership, Community Collaboration, and Legal Support; the same report also highlights areas where the City falls short in achieving a “Government That Works for All,” identifying key gaps in Civic Participation, Livability, and Job Opportunities5; and WHEREAS, research indicates that immigrant integration policies lead to favorable outcomes for both native and foreign-born residents of a city5; and 1 CITY OF AUSTIN 2025 Federal Legislative Agenda 119th Congress 2 https://www.census.gov 3 Austin Population Change and Demographic Trends 4 iSpeak Austin | AustinTexas.gov 5 Advancing Immigrant Incorporation in Austin, TX Report WHEREAS, the report …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Commission on Immigrant Affairs Recommendation Number: 2025032902: Expand the Equity Mini Grant Funds to $600,000 in support of Immigrant Inclusion, Solidarity with Unhoused People, and for Anti-displacement Prevention Efforts WHEREAS, the City of Austin’s Equity Office provides leadership, guidance, and insight on equity to improve the quality of life for all Austinites by working across City departments and with major institutions, non-profits, and grassroots organizations to advance racial equity; and WHEREAS, the inaugural Equity Mini Grant Fund was established in 2018 in response to Ordinance 20170913-001, which directed the Equity Office, to develop a funding framework for quality-of-life initiatives by allocating $75,000 to the Equity Mini Grant Fund; and WHEREAS, the Equity Office successfully implemented a more approachable and accessible granting framework, awarding the first round of grants in April 2018, and has since expanded its grant programs, including the Reentry Services Grant, which supports organizations transforming outcomes for formerly incarcerated individuals through The Hub Award ($200,000 for 501(c)(3) non-profits providing wrap- around services) and The Spoke Award ($50,000 for direct service providers); and WHEREAS, additional funding opportunities, such as the Reimagining Public Safety Grants and potential future grants focused on immigrant and refugee support, underscore the City’s commitment to addressing systemic inequities through community-driven solutions; and WHEREAS, the Equity Mini Grant Fund has played a critical role in supporting grassroots and volunteer- led efforts addressing significant challenges, including COVID-19 recovery, public safety, homelessness response, and immigrant inclusion, demonstrating its value as a flexible and responsive funding mechanism; and WHEREAS, the FY25 Equity Mini Grant Fund prioritizes support for grassroots efforts organizing community-centered solutions in the areas of immigrant inclusion, solidarity with unhoused people, and anti-displacement/displacement prevention, recognizing these as urgent and critical equity issues in Austin; and WHEREAS, since the inception in 2018, the Equity Mini Grant Fund has supported 87 organizations with a total of $1,495,000 in funding, growing from an initial $75,000 in total grants to $450,000 in FY24-25; however despite this growth, the fund remains insufficient to fully address the scale and scope of community needs; increasing the fund to $600,000 would enable great investment in grassroots initiatives working to address systemic inequities; and WHEREAS, an expansion of the Equity Mini Grant Fund would provide additional unrestricted funding at various award levels ($10,000, $20,000, and $30,000), enabling a broader and deeper investment in community-driven initiatives that address disparities and uplift historically marginalized communities; THEREFORE, …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Commission on Immigrant Affairs Recommendation Number: 2025032904: Budget Expand Equity and Inclusion Trainings. WHEREAS, the City of Austin continues to see an increase in reported hate crimes and hate incidents year to year since 2021; and WHEREAS, city initiatives around anti-hate currently are housed in a variety of different offices and departments, and WHEREAS, the We All Belong Campaign is housed in the Corporate Public Information Office, the Safe Place program is housed in the Austin Police Department, and Undoing Racism trainings are housed in the Office of Equity & Inclusion1; and WHEREAS, while each program has varying degrees of public engagement and participation, city staff and public citizens would benefit from expanded access and visibility about these services; and WHEREAS, some community members may not feel comfortable reporting acts of hate to the City of Austin or local law enforcement 2; and WHEREAS, the Equity Division advances its mission by hosting Undoing Racism in collaboration with The People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond; and WHEREAS, dismantling hate and bias in our community requires a collective effort and meaningful collaboration between the city, its staff, and residents; and WHEREAS, an addition of Bystander Intervention training would empower staff and community members with the skills to safely intervene and respond to instances of hate-driven discrimination or violence; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Commission on Immigrant Affairs recommends adequate funding be allocated to Anti-hate campaigns and programs, creating a centralized hub where both staff and citizens can easily access information on reporting hate-based incidents, current program offerings, and available public trainings. THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Commission recommends expanding outreach efforts to engage a broader and more diverse audience. We urge the city council to invest in the expansion of Undoing Racism trainings for the general public, and to ensure that both city staff and community members have access to Bystander Intervention training. These efforts are critical to fostering a safer, more inclusive, and better-informed community. 1 https://services.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=427170 2 https://austin-against-hate-austin.hub.arcgis.com/ Date of Approval: __3/29/2025____________ Record of the vote: Unanimous Vote: 7-0 on Yohana Saucedo 1st and Aditi Joshi’s 2nd. For: Melissa Ortega (Chair), Adrian De La Rosa, Azeem Edwin, Canan Kaba, Miriam Dorantes (Vice Chair) Attest: _____Gunjen Mittal_____________ (Staff or board member can sign)
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Commission on Immigrant Affairs Recommendation Number: 2025032905: Providing Resources for Immigrant Students WHEREAS, the Commission on Immigrant Affairs was established to advise the city council on matters of common concern to immigrants, particularly in the areas of health and human services, education, and the demographic makeup of the Austin immigrant community; and WHEREAS, recent tragic events, such as the suicide of Jocelynn Rojo-Carranza, an 11-year-old girl who was bullied over her family’s immigration status, highlight the severe and devastating impacts of immigration-related discrimination and the lack of adequate protections within schools; and WHEREAS, reports from immigrant families in Austin indicate that increased raids and threats of deportation have created a climate of fear, deterring families from seeking assistance, accessing education, or reporting incidents of violence or harassment for fear of being separated; and WHEREAS, immigrants in Austin, including students, face systemic challenges, bullying, harassment, and an overall lack of understanding about their rights and protections; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin has a responsibility to ensure that all residents, irrespective of immigration status, have access to the resources and support they need to thrive and that our schools provide a safe environment where all children can learn without fear of discrimination or retaliation; and WHEREAS, access to information about immigration laws and rights continues to be a barrier for many immigrants and their families, exacerbating their vulnerability, fostering distrust of local institutions, and jeopardizing their constitutional due process rights; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Commission on Immigrant Affairs of the City of Austin recommends that the city council allocate $250,000 in funding to support supplies and materials necessary for the implementation of immigrant student protections, rights to education, and family support services. This funding will ensure: 1. Traditional and Digital Media Distribution of Know Your Rights Materials a) Production of multilingual Know Your Rights guides tailored for students, families, and educators. b) Distribution of materials across all public schools, libraries, and community centers across the city prioritizing areas with Title I schools and communities with high immigrant populations (materials include, but are not limited to, “Know Your Rights” cards and Family Preparedness one-pagers). c) Development of digital and print resources for easy access through the City of Austin website and social media channels. 2. Development of Toolkits a) Creation of toolkits that include training materials and engagement resources on immigration rights and protections in partnership with …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Commission on Immigrant Affairs Recommendation Number: 2025032906: Budget Recommendation Providing Funding for Printing and Distribution of "Know Your Rights" Red Cards at Austin Public Library Sites WHEREAS, the Commission on Immigrant Affairs was established to advise the city council on matters of common concern to immigrants, particularly in the areas of health and human services, education, and the demographic makeup of the Austin immigrant community; and WHEREAS, public libraries serve as trusted and accessible community spaces where residents can receive critical information about their rights, particularly those related to immigration, law enforcement interactions, and workplace protections; and, WHEREAS, organizations such as the Immigrant Legal Resource Center and other advocacy groups have developed "Know Your Rights" red cards to help individuals understand their constitutional rights in various situations, including interactions with law enforcement and immigration officials; and, WHEREAS, ensuring that all Austin Public Library locations have printed "Know Your Rights" red cards available in multiple languages will empower community members with important legal information and contribute to greater public awareness and safety; and, WHEREAS, the costs associated with printing and distributing these materials include design, translation, printing, and distribution across all Austin Public Library branches; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Commission on Immigrant Affairs encourages the city council to allocate $25,000 for FY 2025–2026 budget to the Austin Public Library for the printing and distribution of "Know Your Rights" red cards at all library locations, ensuring that critical legal information is accessible to all community members. Date of Approval: __3/29/2025____________ Record of the vote: Unanimous Vote: 7-0 on Yohana Saucedo 1st and Aditi Joshi 2nd. For: Melissa Ortega (Chair), Adrian De La Rosa, Miriam Dorantes (Vice Chair), Canan Kaba, Yohana Saucedo Attest: _____Gunjen Mittal_____________ (Staff or board member can sign)
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Commission on Immigrant Affairs Recommendation Number: 2025032908: Reallocation of Quality-of-Life Study Funds to the FY 2025–2026 Budget WHEREAS, the Commission on Immigrant Affairs was established to advise the city council on matters of common concern to immigrants, and WHEREAS, in the FY 2022–2023 budget, the city council approved $1.2 million for Quality-of-Life studies, to be distributed among five commissions, including the Commission on Immigrant Affairs; and WHEREAS, the Commission on Immigrant Affairs was unable to meet to discuss the Quality-of-Life Study process due to an ongoing shortage of members and other contributing factors; and WHEREAS, the funds are still available and must be reallocated to the FY 2025–2026; and WHEREAS, the results of the Quality-of-Life study will provide up-to-date and accurate information, equipping and guiding the Commission on Immigrant Affairs, particularly with our policy and budget recommendations to city council, as well as improving outreach and engagement efforts; and WHEREAS, in a time of increasingly restrictive immigration policies, the Commission on Immigrant Affairs is committed to partnering with researchers who prioritize anti-racist, equity-based approaches and implement strong safeguards in data collection and analysis; and WHEREAS, the Commission on Immigrant Affairs has not had a Quality-of-Life study and at this time we have incomplete information about our immigrant communities, which affects our ability to support and serve them; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Commission on Immigrant Affairs encourages city council to direct the Budget Office to reallocate the funds provided for a Quality-of-life study on FY2022–2023 to FY2025–2026. Date of Approval: __3/29/2025____________ Record of the vote: Unanimous Vote: 7-0 on Miriam Dorantes (Vice Chair) 1st and Aditi Joshi’s 2nd. For: Melissa Ortega (Chair), Adrian De La Rosa, Azeem Edwin, Canan Kaba, Yohana Saucedo Attest: _____Gunjen Mittal_____________ (Staff or board member can sign)
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 …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Commission on Immigrant Affairs Recommendation Number: 2025032904: Budget Expand Equity and Inclusion Trainings. WHEREAS, the City of Austin continues to see an increase in reported hate crimes and hate incidents year to year since 2021; and WHEREAS, city initiatives around anti-hate currently are housed in a variety of different offices and departments, and WHEREAS, the We All Belong Campaign is housed in the Corporate Public Information Office, the Safe Place program is housed in the Austin Police Department, and Undoing Racism trainings are housed in the Office of Equity & Inclusion1; and WHEREAS, while each program has varying degrees of public engagement and participation, city staff and public citizens would benefit from expanded access and visibility about these services; and WHEREAS, some community members may not feel comfortable reporting acts of hate to the City of Austin or local law enforcement 2; and WHEREAS, the Equity Division advances its mission by hosting Undoing Racism in collaboration with The People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond; and WHEREAS, dismantling hate and bias in our community requires a collective effort and meaningful collaboration between the city, its staff, and residents; and WHEREAS, an addition of Bystander Intervention training would empower staff and community members with the skills to safely intervene and respond to instances of hate-driven discrimination or violence; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Commission on Immigrant Affairs recommends adequate funding be allocated to Anti-hate campaigns and programs, creating a centralized hub where both staff and citizens can easily access information on reporting hate-based incidents, current program offerings, and available public trainings. THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Commission recommends expanding outreach efforts to engage a broader and more diverse audience. We urge the city council to invest in the expansion of Undoing Racism trainings for the general public, and to ensure that both city staff and community members have access to Bystander Intervention training. These efforts are critical to fostering a safer, more inclusive, and better-informed community. 1 https://services.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=427170 2 https://austin-against-hate-austin.hub.arcgis.com/ Date of Approval: _____________________________ Record of the vote: Attest: _____________________________________________ (Staff or board member can sign)
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Commission on Immigrant Affairs Recommendation Number: 2025032908: Reallocation of Quality-of-Life Study Funds to the FY 2025–2026 Budget WHEREAS, the Commission on Immigrant Affairs was established to advise the city council on matters of common concern to immigrants, and WHEREAS, in the FY 2022–2023 budget, the city council approved $1.2 million for Quality-of-Life studies, to be distributed among five commissions, including the Commission on Immigrant Affairs; and WHEREAS, the Commission on Immigrant Affairs was unable to meet to discuss the Quality-of-Life Study process due to an ongoing shortage of members and other contributing factors; and WHEREAS, the funds are still available and must be reallocated to the FY 2025–2026; and WHEREAS, the results of the Quality-of-Life study will provide up-to-date and accurate information, equipping and guiding the Commission on Immigrant Affairs, particularly with our policy and budget recommendations to city council, as well as improving outreach and engagement efforts; and WHEREAS, in a time of increasingly restrictive immigration policies, the Commission on Immigrant Affairs is committed to partnering with researchers who prioritize anti-racist, equity-based approaches and implement strong safeguards in data collection and analysis; and WHEREAS, the Commission on Immigrant Affairs has not had a Quality-of-Life study and at this time we have incomplete information about our immigrant communities, which affects our ability to support and serve them; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Commission on Immigrant Affairs encourages city council to direct the Budget Office to reallocate the funds provided for a Quality-of-life study on FY2022–2023 to FY2025–2026. Date of Approval: _____________________________ Record of the vote: Attest: _____________________________________________ (Staff or board member can sign)
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Commission on Immigrant Affairs Recommendation Number: 2025032906: Budget Recommendation Providing Funding for Printing and Distribution of "Know Your Rights" Red Cards at Austin Public Library Sites WHEREAS, the Commission on Immigrant Affairs was established to advise the city council on matters of common concern to immigrants, particularly in the areas of health and human services, education, and the demographic makeup of the Austin immigrant community; and WHEREAS, public libraries serve as trusted and accessible community spaces where residents can receive critical information about their rights, particularly those related to immigration, law enforcement interactions, and workplace protections; and, WHEREAS, organizations such as the Immigrant Legal Resource Center and other advocacy groups have developed "Know Your Rights" red cards to help individuals understand their constitutional rights in various situations, including interactions with law enforcement and immigration officials; and, WHEREAS, ensuring that all Austin Public Library locations have printed "Know Your Rights" red cards available in multiple languages will empower community members with important legal information and contribute to greater public awareness and safety; and, WHEREAS, the costs associated with printing and distributing these materials include design, translation, printing, and distribution across all Austin Public Library branches; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Commission on Immigrant Affairs encourages the city council to allocate $25,000 for FY 2025–2026 budget to the Austin Public Library for the printing and distribution of "Know Your Rights" red cards at all library locations, ensuring that critical legal information is accessible to all community members. Date of Approval: _____________________________ Record of the vote: Attest: _____________________________________________ (Staff or board member can sign)
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Commission on Immigrant Affairs Recommendation Number: 2025032905: Providing Resources for Immigrant Students WHEREAS, the Commission on Immigrant Affairs was established to advise the city council on matters of common concern to immigrants, particularly in the areas of health and human services, education, and the demographic makeup of the Austin immigrant community; and WHEREAS, recent tragic events, such as the suicide of Jocelynn Rojo-Carranza, an 11-year-old girl who was bullied over her family’s immigration status, highlight the severe and devastating impacts of immigration-related discrimination and the lack of adequate protections within schools; and WHEREAS, reports from immigrant families in Austin indicate that increased raids and threats of deportation have created a climate of fear, deterring families from seeking assistance, accessing education, or reporting incidents of violence or harassment for fear of being separated; and WHEREAS, immigrants in Austin, including students, face systemic challenges, bullying, harassment, and an overall lack of understanding about their rights and protections; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin has a responsibility to ensure that all residents, irrespective of immigration status, have access to the resources and support they need to thrive and that our schools provide a safe environment where all children can learn without fear of discrimination or retaliation; and WHEREAS, access to information about immigration laws and rights continues to be a barrier for many immigrants and their families, exacerbating their vulnerability, fostering distrust of local institutions, and jeopardizing their constitutional due process rights; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Commission on Immigrant Affairs of the City of Austin recommends that the city council allocate $250,000 in funding to support supplies and materials necessary for the implementation of immigrant student protections, rights to education, and family support services. This funding will ensure: 1. Traditional and Digital Media Distribution of Know Your Rights Materials a) Production of multilingual Know Your Rights guides tailored for students, families, and educators. b) Distribution of materials across all public schools, libraries, and community centers across the city prioritizing areas with Title I schools and communities with high immigrant populations (materials include, but are not limited to, “Know Your Rights” cards and Family Preparedness one-pagers). c) Development of digital and print resources for easy access through the City of Austin website and social media channels. 2. Development of Toolkits a) Creation of toolkits that include training materials and engagement resources on immigration rights and protections in partnership with …
SPECIAL CALLED MEETING of the COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS MARCH 15TH AT 11 A.M. CITY OF AUSTIN PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER ROOMS #1401 & 1402 6310 WILHELMINA DRIVE AUSTIN, TEXAS 78752 Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, call or email Gunjen Mittal, 512- 972-6104, gunjen.mittal@austintexas.gov. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: Melissa Ortega, Chair Miriam Dorantes, Vice Chair Adrian De La Rosa Aditi Joshi Bob Libal Jeanne “Canan” Kaba Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch AGENDA PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Shweta Padmanabha Azeem Edwin Yohana Saucedo Meghna Roy The first 10 speakers signed up to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three- minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 1. 2. 3. Approve FY26 Budget Recommendation to develop a City of Austin Immigrant Affairs Office. Approve FY26 Budget Recommendation to Expand the Equity Mini Grant Funds to $600,000 in support of Immigrant Inclusion, Solidarity with Unhoused People, and for Anti-displacement Prevention Efforts. Approve FY26 Budget Recommendation to increase funding for The Family Stabilization Grant Program to $3 Million and to retain its funding as part of the City’s base budget. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS, please contact Gunjen Mittal at gunjen.mittal@austintexas.gov.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Commission on Immigrant Affairs Recommendation Number: 20250312XXX: 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 …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Commission on Immigrant Affairs Recommendation Number: 20250312XXX: Development of the Immigration Affairs Office WHEREAS, the City of Austin values inclusivity and recognizes the immense economic, social, and cultural contributions that people of all national origins and immigration statuses have made to this country1; and WHEREAS, the City Council declared Austin a Welcoming City through Resolution No. 20140320-049 to demonstrate that the City strives to include and support immigrants in all aspects of our city; and WHEREAS, we continue to hear appreciation for the creation of the Immigrant Affairs position, along with recognition that the scope of work required is too vast for one person to manage alone; and WHEREAS, the development of an Immigrant Affairs Office would ensure that the needs of Austin's immigrant community are recognized, supported, and effectively addressed, which would allow for stronger community engagement, more responsive services, as well as better coordination across city departments to close existing gaps; and WHEREAS, a comprehensive budget plan focused on expanding staff, services, and infrastructures will promote the immigrant community’s economic mobility, human services (health care/food/legal services), education, and civic participation; and WHEREAS, ensuring immigrant inclusivity will build stronger educated communities that can contribute to economic growth, creative potential, and innovation throughout Austin and its society; and WHEREAS, in Austin, more than 18% of the population are foreign-born2; and WHEREAS, Austin’s immigrant population comes from over 120 different countries3; and WHEREAS, according to City data at iSpeak Austin, more than 85 languages are spoken throughout the City, 31% of Austinites speak a language other than English at home and 11.4% of Austinites speak English “less than very well”4; and WHEREAS, According to “Advancing Immigrant Incorporation in Austin, TX,” a report on the state of immigrant affairs at the City states that Austin has made consistent improvements and has scored highly in areas such as Government Leadership, Community Collaboration, and Legal Support; the same report also 1 CITY OF AUSTIN 2025 Federal Legislative Agenda 119th Congress 2 https://www.census.gov 3 Austin Population Change and Demographic Trends 4 iSpeak Austin | AustinTexas.gov highlights areas where the City falls short in achieving a “Government That Works for All,” identifying key gaps in Civic Participation, Livability, and Job Opportunities5; and WHEREAS, research indicates that immigrant integration policies lead to favorable outcomes for both native and foreign-born residents of a city5; and WHEREAS, the report “Advancing Immigrant Incorporation in Austin, TX.” by the …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Commission on Immigrant Affairs Recommendation Number: 20250312XXX: Expand the Equity Mini Grant Funds to $600,000 in support of Immigrant Inclusion, Solidarity with Unhoused People, and for Anti-displacement Prevention Efforts WHEREAS, the City of Austin’s Equity Office provides leadership, guidance, and insight on equity to improve the quality of life for all Austinites by working across City departments and with major institutions, non-profits, and grassroots organizations to advance racial equity; and WHEREAS, the inaugural Equity Mini Grant Fund was established in 2018 in response to Ordinance 20170913-001, which directed the Equity Office, to develop a funding framework for quality-of-life initiatives by allocating $75,000 to the Equity Mini Grant Fund; and WHEREAS, the Equity Office successfully implemented a more approachable and accessible granting framework, awarding the first round of grants in April 2018, and has since expanded its grant programs, including the Reentry Services Grant, which supports organizations transforming outcomes for formerly incarcerated individuals through The Hub Award ($200,000 for 501(c)(3) non-profits providing wrap- around services) and The Spoke Award ($50,000 for direct service providers); and WHEREAS, additional funding opportunities, such as the Reimagining Public Safety Grants and potential future grants focused on immigrant and refugee support, underscore the City’s commitment to addressing systemic inequities through community-driven solutions; and WHEREAS, the Equity Mini Grant Fund has played a critical role in supporting grassroots and volunteer- led efforts addressing significant challenges, including COVID-19 recovery, public safety, homelessness response, and immigrant inclusion, demonstrating its value as a flexible and responsive funding mechanism; and WHEREAS, the FY25 Equity Mini Grant Fund prioritizes support for grassroots efforts organizing community-centered solutions in the areas of immigrant inclusion, solidarity with unhoused people, and anti-displacement/displacement prevention, recognizing these as urgent and critical equity issues in Austin; and WHEREAS, since the inception in 2018, the Equity Mini Grant Fund has supported 87 organizations with a total of $1,495,000 in funding, growing from an initial $75,000 in total grants to $450,000 in FY24-25; however despite this growth, the fund remains insufficient to fully address the scale and scope of community needs; increasing the fund to $600,000 would enable great investment in grassroots initiatives working to address systemic inequities; and WHEREAS, an expansion of the Equity Mini Grant Fund would provide additional unrestricted funding at various award levels ($10,000, $20,000, and $30,000), enabling a broader and deeper investment in community-driven initiatives that address disparities and uplift historically marginalized communities; THEREFORE, …
REGULAR MEETING of the COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS MARCH 3, 2025 AT 6:30PM W. 3rd Street AUSTIN CITY HALL ROOM 1101 AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Commission on Immigrant Affairs may be participating by videoconference. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, contact Gunjen Mittal at gunjen.mittal@austintexas.gov or (512) 974-6104. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Melissa Ortega, Chair Kevin T. Countie Miriam Dorantes, Vice Chair Adrian De La Rosa Azeem Edwin Aditi Joshi Jeanne “Canan” Kaba Yohana Saucedo Shweta Padmanabha AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 10 speakers signed up to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Commission on Immigrant Affairs regular meeting on January 6, 2025. STAFF BRIEFING 2. Briefing by Lieutenant Davis Christopher, Austin Police Department, regarding general updates on policies pertaining to the Immigrant Community. 3. Briefing by Houmma Garba, Language Access and Community Engagement Consultant from the Corporate Communications & Public Information Office regarding the new citywide language access plan. 4. Briefing by Rocio Villalobos, Equity and Inclusion Program Manager - Immigrant Affairs, regarding general updates on immigrant affairs. 5. Briefing by Alejandra Mireles and/or Jeremy Garza, Equity and Inclusion Program Coordinator from (Equity Division) Office of Equity and Inclusion, regarding timeline and steps for Quality of Life Study. PRESENTATION 6. Presentation by Rebecca Lightsey, Co-Executive Director of American Gateways regarding an update on their work, to highlight the effective use of the City's support as the recipient of a City of Austin grant to provide vital legal immigration services to low-income residents and advocate for continued funding for immigration legal services in next year's City budget. DISCUSSION ITEMS 7. Welcome new commissioners to Commission on Immigrant Affairs. 8. Discussion of the Commission on Immigrant Affairs’ Draft Budget Recommendations for Fiscal Year 2025-2026. 9. Discussion on updates on JIC recommendations. Group. Group. 10. Discussion on proposed dates for a Special Called meeting regarding FY26 budget recommendations. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 11. Discussion and action on approving …
(COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS) MEETING MINUTES (6, JANUARY, 2025) COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS REGULAR MEETING MINUTES 6, JANUARY, 2025 The COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS convened in a REGULAR CALLED meeting on 6, JANUARY, 2025, PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER, 6310 WILHELMINA DELCO, AUSTIN, TEXAS. Chair MELISSA ORTEGA called the COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS Meeting to order at 6:50 p.m. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance: Melissa Ortega, Chair Miriam Dorantes, Vice Chair Kevin T. Countie Aditi Joshi Jeanne “Canan” Kaba Luis Osta Lugo Shweta Padmanabha Adrian De La Rosa Yohana Saucedo Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Miriam Dorantes, Vice Chair Kevin T. Countie Aditi Joshi Jeanne “Canan” Kaba Luis Osta Lugo Shweta Padmanabha Yohana Saucedo PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL List name of speaker(s) and brief description of topic. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve the minutes of the COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS (REGULAR) MEETING on November 4, 2024. 1. 1 (COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS) MEETING MINUTES (6, JANUARY, 2025) The minutes from the meeting of (11/4/2024) were approved on Kevin Countie’s motion, Aditi Joshi second on a (9-0) vote. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing regarding Certified Welcoming update, proposal for an Office of Immigrant Affairs, Know Your Rights presentations, and Immigrant Inclusion Mini Grant. The presentation was made by (Rocio Villalobos, Immigrant Affairs Manager at the Equity & Inclusion Office). PRESENTATION 3. Presentation regarding the Immigrant Hall of Honor initiative focusing on the contributions of immigrants after arriving to the U.S. The presentation by Sara Puig Laas, Board Director of the Immigrant Hall of Honor. DISCUSSION ITEMS 4. Welcome new Commission members to the Commission on Immigrant Affairs. The Chair welcomed new Commissioners to the Board. 5. Discussion and update of the Commission on Immigrant Affairs review at the December 11, 2024, Audit and Finance Committee meeting due to the failure of the Commission to convene for a period of over six months. The Chair provided an overview of the Audit and emphasized the importance of meeting quorum each month. 6. Discussion on planning a retreat for all Commissioners for early 2025. Discussion was had and they are now planning the retreat for another time early in the year. 7. Discussion of the Commission on Immigrant Affairs’ goals and objectives for 2025 budget recommendations as they relate to the Commission’s purpose and duties in City Code. Goals discussed were: public safety, economic development, life assessment, health care, financial literacy, legal literacy, U-Visas approval rate, educational system …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Commission on Immigrant Affairs Recommendation Number: 2025030314: Translation and Interpretation Services for Boards and Commissions WHEREAS, Imagine Austin is a 30-year plan that maps out a vision of Austin as a beacon of sustainability, social equity, and economic opportunity; where diversity and creativity are celebrated; where community needs and values are recognized; where leadership comes from its citizens; and where the necessities of life are affordable and accessible to all1; and WHEREAS, a City of Austin report identified that many non-English-speaking residents abstain from engaging in the community due to language barriers and the associated challenges with communicating2; and WHEREAS, a recent audit found the city is not adequately meeting the goals of the policy, established in 2014 to provide translation and interpretation services, intended to give people equitable access to programs and information, leaving people to try to navigate these systems alone3; and WHEREAS, according to City data at iSpeak Austin, 31% of Austinites speak a language other than English at home and 11.4% of Austinites speak English “less than very well”4; and WHEREAS, The Commission on Immigrant Affairs (CoIA) most recent experience highlighted concerns about the current funding practice for language accessibility for Boards and Commissions, as well as the support process for Commissioners with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) who required live interpretation services during onboarding, training, and meetings; and WHEREAS, The CoIA had delays in the onboarding and training of an LEP Commissioner, while these services were ultimately provided, there was some confusion among regarding which department or office was responsible for delivering the translation and interpretation services, resulting in delays in fulfilling the request; and WHEREAS, the current funding practice for covering translation and interpretation services for Boards and Commissions was identified not sustainable. No department supporting Boards and Commissions allocates 1 City Embarks on Community-Wide Effort to Update Imagine Austin | AustinTexas.gov 2 https://services.austintexas.gov/edims/pio/document.cfm?id=367457 3 Austin is not doing enough to communicate with non-English speakers, audit finds | KUT Radio, Austin's NPR Station 4 iSpeak Austin | AustinTexas.gov 5 https://www.austintexas.gov/page/language-access-policy specific funds in the fiscal budget for these interpretation and translation services for Commissioners who need them; and WHEREAS, without a proactive funding system, resources are often diverted from other essential services and programs when a need arises. A sustainable funding plan is necessary; and WHEREAS, The Commission on Immigrant Affairs (CoIA) additionally encountered inconsistencies in the support process of an LEP Commissioner, …
REGULAR MEETING of the COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS JANUARY 6, 2024 AT 6:30PM PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER ROOM 1203 6310 WILHELMINA DELCO AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Commission on Immigrant Affairs may be participating by videoconference. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, contact Gunjen Mittal at gunjen.mittal@austintexas.gov or (512) 974-6104. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Melissa Ortega, Chair Kevin T. Countie Miriam Dorantes, Vice Chair Adrian De La Rosa Luis Osta Lugo Aditi Joshi Jeanne “Canan” Kaba Yohana Saucedo Shweta Padmanabha AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 10 speakers signed up to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Commission on Immigrant Affairs regular meeting on November 4, 2024. STAFF BRIEFING 2. Briefing by Rocio Villalobos, Program Manager at the Equity & Inclusion Management Services, regarding Certified Welcoming update, proposal for an Office of Immigrant Affairs, Know Your Rights presentations, and Immigrant Inclusion Mini Grant. PRESENTATION 3. Presentation by Sara Puig Laas, Board Director of the Immigrant Hall of Honor, regarding their initiative and non-profit. DISCUSSION ITEMS 4. Welcome new Commission members to the Commission on Immigrant Affairs. 5. Discussion and update of the Commission on Immigrant Affairs review at the December 11, 2024, Audit and Finance Committee meeting due to the failure of the Commission to convene for a period of over six months. 6. Discussion on planning a retreat for all Commissioners for early 2025. 7. Discussion of the Commission on Immigrant Affairs’ goals and objectives for 2025 budget recommendations as they relate to the Commission’s purpose and duties in City Code. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 8. Discussion and possible action on adding Community Stakeholder seats to the Commission on Immigrant Affairs. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 9. Discussion and review of the approved budget recommendation timeline and update membership for the Budget Recommendation working group. Current Members: Chair Ortega, Vice Chair Dorantes, Commissioner Joshi. 10. Update on Quality of Life Study working group and update membership. Current Members: Chair …
