REGULAR CALLED MEETING OF THE HISPANIC/LATINO QUALITY OF LIFE RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION March 25, 2025, 6:00 P.M. City Hall, Boards and Commissions Room #1101 301 West 2nd St Austin, Texas 78701 Some members of the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission 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, call or email Christi Vitela, 512- 974-2792, christi.vitela@austintexas.gov. Lyssette Galvan Kevin Jackson Jr Brian Peña Jesús Perales CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Ivanna Neri, Chair Daniela Silva, Vice Chair Amanda Afifi Dulce Castañeda CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL AGENDA The first ten speakers signed up prior 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 Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission regular meeting on February 25, 2025. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Discussion of the undocumented immigrant policy at the Austin Police Department. Presentation by Stephanie Gonzales, Equity and Inclusion Coordinator, Austin Police Department, and Fausto Rodriguez, Executive Lieutenant, Austin Police Department. WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDATION 3. Report of recommendations from the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget Working Group. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEM 4. Approve a Recommendation to Council regarding the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget. 5. Approve a primary representative to the Joint Inclusion Committee. 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. Please call Christi Vitela at the City Clerk’s Department, at 512-974-2792, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Hispanic Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission please contact Christi Vitela at 512-974-2792 or christi.vitela@austintexas.gov.
Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission February 25, 2025 HISPANIC/LATINO QUALITY OF LIFE RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, February 25, 2025 The Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission convened in a regular called meeting on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at City Hall, 301 W 2nd St in Austin, Texas. Vice Chair Silva called the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission Meeting to order at 6:11 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Daniela Silva, Vice Chair Melissa Ruiz Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Amanda Afifi Dulce Castañeda Lyssette Galvan Jesus Perales PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission regular meeting on January 28, 2024. The minutes from the meeting on January 28, 2025, were approved on Commissioner Perales’ motion, Commissioner Galvan’s second on a 6-0 vote. Chair Neri, Commissioners Jackson and Peña were absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing regarding immigrant affairs by Rocío Villalobos, Immigrant Affairs Manager and DACA Liaison Officer, Equity and Inclusion Office. The presentation was made by Rocío Villalobos, Immigrant Affairs Manager and DACA Liaison Officer, Equity and Inclusion Office. 1 Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS February 25, 2025 3. Approve the formation of a Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget Working Group to research and write budget recommendations. The motion to approve a Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget Working Group to research and write budget recommendations was approved on Commissioner Perales’ motion, Commissioner Galvan’s second on a 6-0 vote. Chair Neri, Commissioners Jackson and Peña were absent. Vice Chair Silva, Commissioners Afifi and Galvan were added to the Working Group without objection. DISCUSSION ITEMS 4. Presentation by American Gateways regarding their work in the Austin community providing legal services to the low income and immigrant communities. The presentation was made by Rebecca Lightsey, Co-Executive Director, American Gateways. 5. Presentation by the Community Investment Budget Coalition on their priorities for Fiscal Year 2025-2026. The presentation was made by Kathy Mitchell, Community Investment Budget Coalition. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Austin Police Department – Immigration Enforcement - March Two Budget Recommendations -March - Family Stabilization Grant and Immigrant Legal Services Director of Equity and Inclusion Office - April Emergency Language Plan – CPIO - April Boy Scouts - April Know Your Rights Presentation- May – Workers Defense Vice Chair Silva adjourned the meeting at 7:01 p.m. without objection. 2
Austin Police Department Austin Police Department Serving our Immigrant Communities Agenda Introductions Q&A APD General Orders 328 and 330 Data Transparency Community Partnerships and Collaborations Resources for Strengthening Relationships with Immigrant Communities 2 General Orders General Order 328 General Order 330 – It is the policy and practice of APD to provide services and enforce the law equally, fairly, and without discrimination toward any individual or group. – Refers to interactions with individuals who are foreign nationals or immigrants and with immigration authorities. – Intended to increase officer effectiveness when protecting the entire community, regardless of national origin or immigration status. OPO Review: APD General Orders | AustinTexas.gov 3 Data Transparency APD tracks officer inquiries into immigration status. These instances occur rarely. Incidents in which APD inquired into an individual’s immigration status are posted monthly at APD Immigration Status Inquiries | Open Data | City of Austin Texas 4 Community Partnerships and Collaborations 5 Resources for Strengthening Relationships with Immigrant Community Members Office of Community Liaison Victim Services Division Language Access Training SharePoint Resources Creating and Sustaining an Inclusive Culture Workshops 6 Thank you! Questions?
HISPANIC/LATINO QUALITY OF LIFE RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 202503XX-X Family Stabilization Program as a Mechanism for Promoting Housing Stability Date: March XX, 2025 Subject: FY26 Budget Recommendations Seconded By: Commissioner Motioned By: Commissioner Recommendation As in previous years, 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. The current pilot funds are primarily helping people of color, including Hispanic or Latino/a/x families. Additionally, over half of the participants identify as African American or Latina women. Last year, the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission recommended ongoing funding of $3 million for the Family Stabilization Program; however, it was not included in the final budget. At the Community Voices & Choices: Joint Inclusion Committee FY26 Budget Input Sessions, several residents expressed support again for the ongoing funding of this program. Description of Recommendation to Council ● Provide ongoing funding for the Family Stabilization Grants ● Expand ongoing funding to $3 million Rationale 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. 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. 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. 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. The 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. 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 …
HISPANIC/LATINO QUALITY OF LIFE RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 202503XX-X Immigrant Legal Services Seconded By: Commissioner Date: March XX, 2025 Subject: FY26 Budget Recommendations Motioned By: Commissioner WHEREAS, the City of Austin has a long-standing commitment to being a welcoming, inclusive, and diverse community that values all of its residents, regardless of immigration status; and WHEREAS, immigrants contribute significantly to the cultural, social, and economic fabric of Austin, but despite these contributions, many immigrants face significant barriers to accessing legal services; and WHEREAS, we continue to hear from the community that legal services funding is crucial; and WHEREAS, there are immigrants who need access to counsel and cannot afford attorneys, especially immigrants facing removal proceedings; and WHEREAS, the growing uncertainty surrounding federal immigration policies increases the need for legal assistance and protections, and the potential cuts to federal grants and funding for immigrant legal services; and WHEREAS, it is essential that immigrant communities obtain accurate advice and assistance; and WHEREAS, the people most impacted by the complicated changes in immigration policy and funding are low-income immigrants; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin funds legal services for low income immigrants who are Austin residents, and there continues to be an unmet need; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission recommends funding immigrant legal services with a $1,000,000 5-year contract to continue services currently being provided. Against: Abstain: Absent: Commissioner Neri, Commissioner Silva, Commissioner Afifi, Commissioner Perales, Commissioner Castañeda, Commissioner Galvan, Commissioner Jackson Jr. Attest: XX XX, Chair Vote For:
HISPANIC/LATINO QUALITY OF LIFE RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20250325-004 Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget Recommendation Date: March 25, 2025 Subject: FY26 Budget Recommendations Motioned By: Commissioner Perales Seconded By: Commissioner Peña Family Stabilization Program as a Mechanism for Promoting Housing Stability Recommendation As in previous years, 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. The current pilot funds are primarily helping people of color, including Hispanic or Latino/a/x families. Additionally, over half of the participants identify as African American or Latina women. Last year, the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission recommended ongoing funding of $3 million for the Family Stabilization Program; however, it was not included in the final budget. At the Community Voices & Choices: Joint Inclusion Committee FY26 Budget Input Sessions, several residents expressed support again for the ongoing funding of this program. Description of Recommendation to Council ● Provide ongoing funding for the Family Stabilization Grants ● Expand ongoing funding to $3 million Rationale 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. 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. 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. 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. The 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. According to the report, “Austin’s local affordable housing inventory lists six times the number of units with rents set to be …
