REGULAR CALLED MEETING OF THE HISPANIC/LATINO QUALITY OF LIFE RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION April 22, 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. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Ivanna Neri, Chair Daniela Silva, Vice Chair Amanda Afifi Dulce Castañeda Lyssette Galvan Kevin Jackson Jr Brian Peña Jesús Perales Yesenia Ramos Melissa Ruiz AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL 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 March 25, 2025. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing regarding the City of Austin emergency language access plan from the Communications and Public Information Office and the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Presentation by the Housing Department regarding the City of Austin’s application process for U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grants. Presentation by James May, Officer Housing & Community Development, Rocio Pena-Martinez, Grants Program Manager, Housing Department and Julie Smith, Engagement Specialist, Housing Department. 4. Update from the Joint Inclusion Committee representative on the work at the meeting on March 26, 2025. 5. Presentation by the Capitol Area Council Boy Scouts of America regarding an update on the Scouting America Program. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEM 6. Conduct officer elections for the Chair and Vice Chair. 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 …
Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission March 25, 2025 HISPANIC/LATINO QUALITY OF LIFE RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, March 25, 2025 The Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission convened in a regular called meeting on Tuesday, March 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 6:08 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Daniela Silva, Vice Chair Melissa Ruiz Brian Peña Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Ivanna Neri, Chair Amanda Afifi 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 February 25, 2025. The minutes from the meeting on February 25, 2025, were approved on Commissioner Peña’s motion, Commissioner Perales’ second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Castañeda and Jackson were absent. 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. 1 Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission March 25, 2025 The presentation was made by Stephanie Gonzales, Equity and Inclusion Coordinator, Austin Police Department, Fausto Rodriguez, Executive Lieutenant, Austin Police Department, and Sadot Azzua, Public Information Specialist Senior, Communications and Public Information Office. WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDATION 3. Report of recommendations from the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget Working Group. Discussed. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEM 4. Approve a Recommendation to Council regarding the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget. The motion to approve the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget Recommendation was made by Commissioner Perales and seconded by Commissioner Peña. The following amendment was made by Vice Chair Silva, seconded by Commissioner Perales. The amendment was to insert the following to the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget Recommendation. “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 …
Discussion on community needs and spending priorities for the FY 25-26 Action Plan for federal grants. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) allocates entitlement funding to municipalities and state governments. The City of Austin applies for approximately $14 million in annual grant entitlements across four grants for affordable housing, community development, economic development, and public services. These grants are part of a 5-year cycle. Consolidated Plan (5-Year) Allocates federal resources to housing and community development Action Plan (1-Year) Summarizes actions, activities and federal/non- federal resources in the Consolidated Plan Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) (1-Year) End-of-year report on progress toward consolidated plan 2 HUD Funding Sources 3 Programs & Activities Overview FY 23-24 4 Goals & Outcomes FY 23-24 5 Who Did We Serve? Fiscal Year 22-23 Snapshot 1,856 # households served FY 23-24 Source: City of Austin FY 23-24 CAPER Who Did We Serve? Fiscal Year 22-23 Snapshot 1,856 # households served FY 23-24 Source: City of Austin FY 23-24 CAPER Who Did We Serve? Fiscal Year 22-23 Snapshot 2024 Median Income for family of 4: $126,000 Source: City of Austin FY 23-24 CAPER How do we fund our programs? HUD Annual Entitlement Grants Housing Trust Fund Approved City Bonds City Operating Budget Project Connect Anti-Displacement Funds 2024 Community Needs Assessment Feedback from Boards & Commissions Transparency & Accountability What is the total funding for housing programs? What has changed since you came to us last? How are you holding partners accountable? Outreach and Engagement How are you reaching our community? Data and Impact How great is the need? How are you serving our community? Funding Possibilities Programs and projects specific to each community Disappointment and Distrust More questions than input Calls for accountability Hispanic /Latino Quality of Life Advisory Commission The commissioners expressed a desire to understand more about the full budget for the Housing Department and all of its funding sources. They wanted to know how great the need is, what resources were available to address the needs, and what gaps exist for people applying for services and not being served. They expressed the importance of talking directly with recipients of services and not just the staff of service providers. Language access was discussed as an important element in connecting with community members 2024 Community Needs Assessment Feedback Data and Impact Transparency Outreach to vulnerable communities Progress and Commitments New policy and …
