REGULAR MEETING OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MONDAY, MARCH 23, 6:00 P.M. AUSTIN CITY HALL, ROOM 1101 301 W. 2ND ST AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Human Rights 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 Ryan Sperling at ryan.sperling@austintexas.gov or 512-974-3568 CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: Kolby Duhon, Chair (He/They) Muneeb “Meebs” Aslam (He/Him) Morgan Davis (He/Him) Harriett Kirsh Pozen Maryam Khawar Gabriella Zeidan, Vice Chair Mindy Morgan Avitia Lila Igram Mariana Krueger (She/Her) Tannya Oliva Martínez 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 Human Rights Commission regular meeting on February 23, 2026. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing regarding an update on the Levers of Economic Mobility Index. Presentation by Gary Aaron, Business Process Consultant Sr., and Shivani Datar, Business Process Specialist, Austin Equity & Inclusion. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. Approve a recommendation for the FY2026-27 Budget for Health Equity and Healthcare Access. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Approve a recommendation on strengthening and formalizing funding, staffing, reporting, and commission engagement for the City’s Anti-Hate infrastructure during the upcoming budget cycle. Approve a recommendation to support youth transitioning out of foster care through housing stability, targeted services, and legislative advocacy. Approve a budget recommendation for increased emergency housing assistance. Approve a budget recommendation for increased funding for Austin Economic Development’s Family Childcare Educator Network Program Approve a recommendation regarding a budget proposal for small business support, advancing human rights through economic opportunity. Approve a budget recommendation for immigration legal assistance funding. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance, please contact the Liaison or TTY users’ route through 711. A person may request language access accommodations no later than 48 hours before the scheduled …
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MINUTES REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 23, 2026 The Human Rights Commission convened in a regular meeting on February 23, 2026, at 301 W. 2nd St., Boards & Commissions Room, in Austin, Texas. Chair Duhon called the Human Rights Commission meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Kolby Duhon (Chair) Gabriella Zeidan (Vice Chair) Mariana Krueger Mindy Morgan Avitia Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Muneeb “Meebs” Aslam Morgan Davis Lila Igram Maryam Khawar Tannya Oliva-Martínez PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Human Rights Commission Special Called meeting on February 2, 2026. The February 2, 2026 minutes were approved on Commissioner Krueger’s motion, Commissioner Davis’ second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioner Kirsh Pozen was absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Presentation providing an update on American Gateways’ successes and requesting prioritization of immigration funds in next year’s budget. Presentation by Rebecca Lightsey, Co-Executive Director, American Gateways. 1 The presentation was made by Rebecca Lightsey, Co-Executive Director, American Gateways. 3. Update regarding discussions and actions at the recent Joint Inclusion Committee meetings. Update by Commissioner Oliva-Martínez DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. Approve updates to working group membership. There was a motion by Chair Duhon, seconded by Vice Chair Zeidan, to add Commissioner Khawar to the Human Rights Resource Guide Working Group. The motion was approved on a 9-0 vote. Commissioner Kirsh Pozen was absent. There was a motion by Vice Chair Zeidan, seconded by Commissioner Krueger, to add Commissioner Davis to the Human Rights Resource Guide Working Group. The motion was approved on a 9-0 vote. Commissioner Kirsh Pozen was absent. Without objection, Vice Chair Zeidan left the FY2026-27 Budget Recommendation Working Group. 5. Approve a nomination for the Human Rights Commission’s alternate representative on the Joint Inclusion Committee. Commissioner Lila Igram was approved as the Human Rights Commission’s alternate representative on the Joint Inclusion Committee on Chair Duhon’s motion, Commissioner Krueger’s second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioner Kirsh Pozen was absent. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 6. Update from the Budget Working Group regarding its progress on formulating budget recommendations for the FY2026-27 budget. Update by Commissioner Khawar. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Recommendation regarding Festival Beach Food Forest and how the City of Austin can make renumeration for the damages caused by poor communication and the placement of water main directly through Phase 2 of their project. – Krueger, Morgan Avitia Budget WG Update – Duhon, Zeidan …
Economic Mobility Austin Equity & Inclusion Our Time Together • Economic Mobility Overview • Quality-of-Life Studies: Key Connections • Building the Economic Mobility Index • Turning the Index Into Action • Upcoming Event 2 What Drives Economic Mobility Economic mobility is shaped by our systems, policies, and investments — not just individual effort. Mobility includes building wealth and long-term stability for future generations. Education, health, housing, childcare, and strong social conditions enable families to thrive. In Austin, persistent disparities limit opportunities, but a person’s future shouldn’t be determined by their neighborhood or systemic barriers. Beyond Wages Quality of Life We Shape Systems 3 Quality-of-Life Studies: Key Connections High-Level Themes Financial Progress & Economic Outcomes • Deeply affordable housing • • Utility assistance and energy relief Job pipelines and employment access programs Quality of Life & Well-Being • Pop-up clinics in high-need areas • Culturally competent healthcare training • Inclusive planning processes for older adults Opportunities & Access Teen job search portal • • Strengthen multilingual outreach • Partnerships with schools, nonprofits, and public agencies Families, Communities, & Systems • Neighborhood safety audits • Greening and beautification initiatives • Strengthen family-support systems through childcare access and wraparound services 4 Definition Economic mobility addresses systems to improve unfair conditions that influence whether individuals, families, and communities can prosper over time and across generations. It means access to opportunities and resources needed for basic needs, financial security, and a dignified, high quality of life — regardless of race, place, gender, or ability. 5 Economic Mobility Index Human-centered, place-based tool for understanding conditions that shape residents’ ability to thrive in Austin. Visualizes neighborhood- level disparities as defined by economic mobility. Focuses on underlying conditions to guide service delivery and decision- making using data and community insights. Provides a common lens to support coordination, planning, and shared outcomes—without replacing existing tools. 6 Our Approach: Identifying Levers National Frameworks & Local Tools • Drivers of Poverty • Social Vulnerable Index • Justice 40 • Neighborhood Prosperity Dashboard etc. Hybrid Engagement Process • Quality of Life Studies • CoA Commissions • Internal & External Stakeholders • Every Texan Peer Cities Review 10 cities similar in: • State • Size • Demographics • Product CoA Levers of Economic Mobility • 3 Themes • 6 Sub-themes • 18 Levers of Economic Mobility 7 Building the Index Together Early childhood foundations shape mobility • Indicator: Enrollment in early education (public …
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Human Rights Commission Recommendation Number (20260323-004): Recommendation on Strengthening and Formalizing Funding, Staffing, Reporting, and Commission Engagement for the City’s Anti-Hate Infrastructure During the Upcoming Budget Cycle WHEREAS, the Human Rights Commission is charged with advising and consulting with the City Council on matters involving discrimination and promoting equal opportunity in the City of Austin; WHEREAS, the City of Austin has previously recognized the need for coordinated local action to respond to hate crimes and hate incidents, most recently through Resolution No. 20250724-122, which directed the City Manager to establish a comprehensive plan outlining programs and resources to respond to hate crimes and to expand the We All Belong initiative into a more formal city-led structure; WHEREAS, the July 24, 2025 resolution called for, among other things, establishment of an Intergovernmental Committee on Hate Crimes, quarterly meetings, a multilingual and accessible hate crimes web portal, a community notification and engagement program, stronger transparency and accuracy in hate-crime reporting data, and an annual hate crimes report; WHEREAS, the City’s October 8, 2025 staff response confirmed that oversight of the We All Belong initiative shifted to the Human Rights Division of Austin Equity and Inclusion effective October 1, 2025, and that implementation would require significant cross-department coordination among Austin Equity and Inclusion, the Austin Police Department, Austin Police Oversight, Austin Public Health, and other City partners; WHEREAS, the same staff response further acknowledged that the City intended to recruit only a part- time employee to lead stakeholder engagement and data analysis, while staff recommended establishing a full-time position to sustain and expand the work, indicating that the current staffing and administrative structure may not yet match the expanded mandate established by Council; WHEREAS, the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 adopted City budget includes $150,000 for the We All Belong anti- hate campaign and reflects a broader Human Rights Division budget of $1,435,358, but that division is also responsible for numerous other issue areas, including immigrant affairs, ADA compliance and accessibility, LGBTQ+ advocacy, anti-human trafficking, veterans’ affairs, and related human-rights functions; WHEREAS, Austin’s population is estimated at 993,588 as of July 1, 2024, meaning the City’s identified dedicated anti-hate allocation of $150,000 represents approximately $0.15 per resident; WHEREAS, New York City operates a formal Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes with a citywide interagency structure and a documented $3 million baseline enhancement, and with a population of approximately 8.478 million residents as …
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Human Rights Commission Recommendation Number: (20260323-005): Recommendation to Support Youth Transitioning Out of Foster Care Through Housing Stability, Targeted Services, and Legislative Advocacy WHEREAS, youth who age out of foster care face disproportionate risks of homelessness, housing instability, unemployment, poor health outcomes, and the absence of consistent familial or adult support during the transition to adulthood; and WHEREAS, research published in Children and Youth Services Review using the National Youth in Transition Database and the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System found that 29% of foster youth nationally had experienced homelessness by age 21; and WHEREAS, according to the Texas Institute for Child & Family Wellbeing at The University of Texas at Austin, 33% of youth who age out of foster care in Texas experience homelessness by age 21, exceeding the national rate; and WHEREAS, according to the Texas Institute for Child & Family Wellbeing’s 2025 executive summary on youth homelessness and foster care, the number of young adults ages 18 to 25 seeking housing assistance in Austin and Travis County increased from 376 in Fiscal Year 2022 to 1,018 in Fiscal Year 2024, and 53% of those young people reported a history in foster care; and WHEREAS, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services permits eligible young adults to remain in or return to Extended Foster Care through age 21, yet many young people still encounter barriers to stable housing, transportation, education, employment, healthcare, and long-term support as they transition out of care; and WHEREAS, housing support, caring adult connections, coordinated transition planning, and flexible financial assistance are recognized as important protective factors for youth leaving foster care; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin has a substantial interest in preventing homelessness, advancing equity, supporting youth well-being, and strengthening community-based systems of care for transition-age young people; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Human Rights Commission encourages the Austin City Council to prioritize youth transitioning out of foster care in the City’s budget, policy, and intergovernmental planning and to direct the City Manager to explore and report back on opportunities to support this population through the following actions: 1. Develop targeted housing interventions for transition-age youth with foster care history, including rapid rehousing, transitional housing, move-in assistance, emergency rental assistance, landlord incentives, and other homelessness-prevention tools. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Expand support for nonprofit and community-based providers serving youth exiting foster care, including …
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Human Rights Commission Recommendation Number 20260323-006: Budget Proposal for Increased Emergency Housing Assistance WHEREAS, the City of Austin is still facing a housing affordability crisis as data reports show that the overall median rent is now $1,624.00, with the median rent for a one bedroom at $1,405.00. Both of these figures, though a decrease from previous years and a trend in the right direction, are the second highest for any city in the state of Texas. WHEREAS, even though median rent has fallen in the past year, rental prices are still unsustainable; especially given that the cost of living for Austinites has continued to vastly increase due to national trends such as soaring healthcare costs, grocery bills, increases at the gas pump, and child and dependent care. WHEREAS, Eviction filings in Austin JP Courts reached a record high of 15,253 filings in a single year in 2025, an increase of 13% from 2024, and the State Legislature codified a bill in the last legislative session that has already weakened what little rights tenants already possess in the state of Texas. WHEREAS, per the Eviction Lab at Princeton University, eviction filings in Austin have soared to over 32% higher than the pre-pandemic average rate, with communities of color drastically more at risk of eviction in a state with some of the country’s weakest protections for renters. WHEREAS, a record 2.1 million renters, more than half of the state’s renter households, are “cost burdened,” meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on rent and utilities per a recent Harvard University study. WHEREAS, the State of Texas shuttered its statewide rent relief program in the summer of 2023 leaving it up to municipalities to act on the growing rental crisis. Austin has stepped up to the plate, most recently in last year’s budget cycle with a renewal of the $8 million rental assistance and eviction support program through the City of Austin Housing Department’s “I Belong in Austin” program. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Human Rights Commission encourages the Austin City Council to allocate at least another $8 million dollars in rental relief funds and explore all available means in order to create short, medium, and long term solutions for individuals at risk of eviction in Austin.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Human Rights Commission Recommendation Number: 20260323-008: Budget Proposal for Small Business Support: Advancing Human Rights Through Economic Opportunity Motioned by: Seconded by: WHEREAS, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognizes every person's right to free choice of employment, protection against unemployment, and remuneration sufficient to ensure an existence worthy of human dignity — rights that extend to the sustainability of small business ownership as a livelihood; and, (UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 23) WHEREAS, the Austin City Code charges the Human Rights Commission to promote equal treatment and opportunity for all residents, which includes equitable access to economic resources and protection from conditions that threaten the financial stability and dignity of Austin business owners and their employees; and, (Austin City Code § 2-1-148) WHEREAS, small businesses in the Austin metro area account for 48.1 percent of local employment, represent 99.8 percent of all businesses in Texas, and accounted for 84 percent of the state's annual job growth in 2024, making their economic resilience a matter of direct public and human rights concern; and, WHEREAS, job growth in the Austin-Round Rock area slowed to just 0.7 percent in 2025, the slowest pace of all major Texas cities, while rising commercial rents have forced the City to modify its Business Expansion Program to address accelerating small business displacement across Austin neighborhoods. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Human Rights Commission urges the Austin City Council to allocate $5,000 to the City's Small Business Division to establish an economic impact fund providing grants and forgivable loans to Austin small businesses facing economic hardship.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Human Rights Commission Recommendation Number 20260223-009: Budget Recommendation for Immigration and Legal Assistance Funding WHEREAS, under Section 2-1-148 of the Austin City Code, the Human Rights Commission is charged to secure for all individuals in the City freedom from discrimination based on national origin. Without access to legal counsel, immigrants face detention and deportation stripped of the constitutional protections of due process and the right to representation guaranteed under the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments; WHEREAS, 55 percent of people facing deportation in immigration court lack legal counsel; arrests of immigrants with no criminal record surged 2,450 percent in 2025; and interior deportations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) increased more than four and a half times compared to 2024, without a court hearing or right to appeal under the expanded expedited removal policy; and, WHEREAS, deaths in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody reached a two-decade high in 2025, with more people dying in ICE detention than in the prior four years combined, due to medical neglect, denial of care, and conditions that constitute both a public safety and human rights crisis; and, WHEREAS, when immigrants cannot access legal counsel, they are less likely to report crimes and cooperate with local law enforcement, undermining public safety for all Austin residents; and, WHEREAS, American Gateways, Austin's largest nonprofit immigration legal services provider, receives approximately 100 calls per week from immigrants seeking legal assistance and serves low-income clients across 23 Central Texas counties at no or low cost, yet relies on insufficient and inconsistent public funding to meet this demand. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Human Rights Commission urges the Austin City Council to allocate $750,000 per fiscal year from the General Fund to American Gateways as a designated recurring annual appropriation.
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Human Rights Commission Recommendation Number (20260323-004): Recommendation on Strengthening and Formalizing Funding, Staffing, Reporting, and Commission Engagement for the City’s Anti- Hate Infrastructure During the Upcoming Budget Cycle WHEREAS, the Human Rights Commission is charged with advising and consulting with the City Council on matters involving discrimination and promoting equal opportunity in the City of Austin; WHEREAS, the City of Austin has previously recognized the need for coordinated local action to respond to hate crimes and hate incidents, through Resolution No. 20101118-059, and most recently through Resolution No. 20250724-122, which directed the City Manager to establish a comprehensive plan outlining programs and resources to respond to hate crimes and to expand the We All Belong initiative into a more formal city-led structure; WHEREAS, the July 24, 2025 resolution called for, among other things, establishment of an Intergovernmental Committee on Hate Crimes, quarterly meetings, a multilingual and accessible hate crimes web portal, a community notification and engagement program, stronger transparency and accuracy in hate-crime reporting data, and an annual hate crimes report; WHEREAS, the City’s October 8, 2025 staff response confirmed that oversight of the We All Belong initiative shifted to the Human Rights Division of Austin Equity and Inclusion effective October 1, 2025, and that implementation would require significant cross-department coordination among Austin Equity and Inclusion, the Austin Police Department, Austin Police Oversight, Austin Public Health, and other City partners; WHEREAS, the same staff response further acknowledged that the City intended to recruit only a part-time employee to lead stakeholder engagement and data analysis, while staff recommended establishing a full-time position to sustain and expand the work, indicating that the current staffing and administrative structure may not yet match the expanded mandate established by Council; WHEREAS, the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 adopted City budget includes $150,000 for the We All Belong anti-hate campaign and reflects a broader Human Rights Division budget of $1,435,358, but that division is also responsible for numerous other issue areas, including immigrant affairs, ADA compliance and accessibility, LGBTQ+ advocacy, anti-human trafficking, veterans’ affairs, and related human-rights functions; WHEREAS, Austin’s population is estimated at 993,588 as of July 1, 2024, meaning the City’s identified dedicated anti-hate allocation of $150,000 represents approximately $0.15 per resident; WHEREAS, New York City operates a formal Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes with a citywide interagency structure and a documented $3 million baseline enhancement, and with a population of approximately …
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Human Rights Commission Recommendation Number: (20260323-005): Recommendation to Support Youth Transitioning Out of Foster Care Through Housing Stability, Targeted Services, and Legislative Advocacy WHEREAS, youth who age out of foster care face disproportionate risks of homelessness, housing instability, unemployment, poor health outcomes, and the absence of consistent familial or adult support during the transition to adulthood; and WHEREAS, research published in Children and Youth Services Review using the National Youth in Transition Database and the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System found that 29% of foster youth nationally had experienced homelessness by age 21; and WHEREAS, according to the Texas Institute for Child & Family Wellbeing at The University of Texas at Austin, 33% of youth who age out of foster care in Texas experience homelessness by age 21, exceeding the national rate; and WHEREAS, according to the Texas Institute for Child & Family Wellbeing’s 2025 executive summary on youth homelessness and foster care, the number of young adults ages 18 to 25 seeking housing assistance in Austin and Travis County increased from 376 in Fiscal Year 2022 to 1,018 in Fiscal Year 2024, and 53% of those young people reported a history in foster care; and WHEREAS, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services permits eligible young adults to remain in or return to Extended Foster Care through age 21, yet many young people still encounter barriers to stable housing, transportation, education, employment, healthcare, and long-term support as they transition out of care; and WHEREAS, housing support, caring adult connections, coordinated transition planning, and flexible financial assistance are recognized as important protective factors for youth leaving foster care; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin has a substantial interest in preventing homelessness, advancing equity, supporting youth well-being, and strengthening community-based systems of care for transition-age young people; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Human Rights Commission encourages the Austin City Council to prioritize youth transitioning out of foster care in the City’s budget, policy, and intergovernmental planning and to direct the City Manager to explore and report back on opportunities to support this population through the following actions: 1. Develop targeted housing interventions for transition-age youth with foster care history, including rapid rehousing, transitional housing, move-in assistance, emergency rental assistance, landlord incentives, and other homelessness-prevention tools. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Expand support for nonprofit and community-based providers serving youth exiting foster care, including …
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Human Rights Commission Recommendation Number 20260323-006: Budget Proposal for Increased Emergency Housing Assistance WHEREAS, the City of Austin is still facing a housing affordability crisis as data reports show that the overall median rent is now $1,624.00, with the median rent for a one bedroom at $1,405.00. Both of these figures, though a decrease from previous years and a trend in the right direction, are the second highest for any city in the state of Texas. WHEREAS, even though median rent has fallen in the past year, rental prices are still unsustainable; especially given that the cost of living for Austinites has continued to vastly increase due to national trends such as soaring healthcare costs, grocery bills, increases at the gas pump, and child and dependent care. WHEREAS, Eviction filings in Austin JP Courts reached a record high of 15,253 filings in a single year in 2025, an increase of 13% from 2024, and the State Legislature codified a bill in the last legislative session that has already weakened what little rights tenants already possess in the state of Texas. WHEREAS, per the Eviction Lab at Princeton University, eviction filings in Austin have soared to over 32% higher than the pre-pandemic average rate, with communities of color drastically more at risk of eviction in a state with some of the country’s weakest protections for renters. WHEREAS, a record 2.1 million renters, more than half of the state’s renter households, are “cost burdened,” meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on rent and utilities per a recent Harvard University study. WHEREAS, the State of Texas shuttered its statewide rent relief program in the summer of 2023 leaving it up to municipalities to act on the growing rental crisis. Austin has stepped up to the plate, most recently in last year’s budget cycle with a renewal of the $8 million rental assistance and eviction support program through the City of Austin Housing Department’s “I Belong in Austin” program. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Human Rights Commission encourages the Austin City Council to allocate at least another $8 million dollars in rental relief funds and explore all available means in order to create short, medium, and long term solutions for individuals at risk of eviction in Austin. Date of Approval: March 23, 2026 Motioned By: Vice Chair Zeidan Seconded By: Commissioner Morgan Avitia Vote: 8-0 For: Chair …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Human Rights Commission Recommendation Number: 20260323-007 Budget Proposal for Increased Funding for Austin Economic Development’s Family Child Care Educator Network WHEREAS, Access to affordable, high-quality child care is a foundational economic and social need for Austin families, particularly for low-income households and communities of color; and WHEREAS, Families in Austin choose home-based child care because providers share their culture and speak their home language, offer the most affordable care option, provide care during non-traditional hours including evenings, overnight, and weekends, and are trusted members of the community—making home-based providers an irreplaceable part of the child care landscape for many Austin families; and WHEREAS, the average cost of childcare in Austin is the highest in Texas at $26,000 annually for two children. WHEREAS, 85% of early childhood educators in Texas earn less than a living wage, with a median wage of $12.00 per hour; and WHEREAS, Early childhood educators employed by child care programs that accept subsidies earn less than their counterparts at programs that do not accept subsidies, creating a systemic penalty for providers who serve the City's most economically vulnerable children; and WHEREAS, Hispanic early childhood educators in Texas earn significantly less than White early childhood educators regardless of education, experience, or location, reflecting persistent racial wage inequities within the field; and WHEREAS, 7 in 10 full-time early childhood educators do not receive employer-provided health insurance, and half lack access to paid sick leave, leaving a workforce that cares for the City's youngest residents without basic economic protections; and WHEREAS, The City of Austin, through Austin Economic Development, currently administers a Family Child Care Educator Network (FCCE Network) that supports home-based childcare providers. Which focuses on child care provider well-being, economic sustainability, child care quality, and the well-being of children and families; and WHEREAS, the current operating budget of $150,000, includes $75K in funding from a Home Grown grant which will expire in FY2026-27 and $75,000 in City of Austin match funding which expires at the end of FY2025-2026 and funds critical network activities including a Network Coordinator position, financial relief grants to providers, peer mentorship, professional development, a home-based provider conference, and essential interpretation and translation services; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED The Human Rights Commission recommends that the Austin City Council consider the following actions: ● Increase funding for the Family Child Care Educator Network from $75,000 to its current operating budget of $150,000 …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Human Rights Commission Recommendation Number: 20260323-008: Budget Proposal for Small Business Support: Advancing Human Rights Through Economic Opportunity WHEREAS, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognizes every person's right to free choice of employment, protection against unemployment, and remuneration sufficient to ensure an existence worthy of human dignity — rights that extend to the sustainability of small business ownership as a livelihood; and, (UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 23) WHEREAS, the Austin City Code charges the Human Rights Commission to promote equal treatment and opportunity for all residents, which includes equitable access to economic resources and protection from conditions that threaten the financial stability and dignity of Austin business owners and their employees; and, (Austin City Code § 2-1-148) WHEREAS, small businesses in the Austin metro area account for 48.1 percent of local employment, represent 99.8 percent of all businesses in Texas, and accounted for 84 percent of the state's annual job growth in 2024, making their economic resilience a matter of direct public and human rights concern; and, WHEREAS, job growth in the Austin-Round Rock area slowed to just 0.7 percent in 2025, the slowest pace of all major Texas cities, while rising commercial rents have forced the City to modify its Business Expansion Program to address accelerating small business displacement across Austin neighborhoods. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Human Rights Commission urges the Austin City Council to allocate $25,000 to the City's Small Business Division to establish an economic impact fund providing grants and forgivable loans to Austin small businesses facing economic hardship. Date of Approval: March 23, 2026 Motioned By: Vice Chair Zeidan Seconded By: Commissioner Aslam Vote: 8-0 For: Chair Duhon, Vice Chair Zeidan, Commissioners Aslam, Davis, Kirsh Pozen, Krueger, Morgan Avitia, Oliva-Martínez Against: None Abstain: None Recuse: None Off the dais: None Absent: Commissioners Igram, Khawar Attest: _____________________________________________ (Ryan Sperling, Staff Liaison)
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Human Rights Commission Recommendation Number 20260323-009: Budget Recommendation for Immigration and Legal Assistance Funding WHEREAS, under Section 2-1-148 of the Austin City Code, the Human Rights Commission is charged to secure for all individuals in the City freedom from discrimination based on national origin. Without access to legal counsel, immigrants face detention and deportation stripped of the constitutional protections of due process and the right to representation guaranteed under the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments; WHEREAS, 55 percent of people facing deportation in immigration court lack legal counsel; arrests of immigrants with no criminal record surged 2,450 percent in 2025; and interior deportations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) increased more than four and a half times compared to 2024, without a court hearing or right to appeal under the expanded expedited removal policy; and, WHEREAS, deaths in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody reached a two-decade high in 2025, with more people dying in ICE detention than in the prior four years combined, due to medical neglect, denial of care, and conditions that constitute both a public safety and human rights crisis; and, WHEREAS, when immigrants cannot access legal counsel, they are less likely to report crimes and cooperate with local law enforcement, undermining public safety for all Austin residents; and, WHEREAS, American Gateways, Austin's largest nonprofit immigration legal services provider, receives approximately 100 calls per week from immigrants seeking legal assistance and serves low-income clients across 23 Central Texas counties at no or low cost, yet relies on insufficient and inconsistent public funding to meet this demand. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Human Rights Commission urges the Austin City Council to allocate $750,000 per fiscal year from the General Fund to American Gateways as a designated recurring annual appropriation. Date of Approval: March 23, 2026 Motioned By: Vice Chair Zeidan Seconded By: Commissioner Kirsh Pozen Vote: 8-0 For: Chair Duhon, Vice Chair Zeidan, Commissioners Aslam, Davis, Kirsh Pozen, Krueger, Morgan Avitia, Oliva-Martínez Against: None Abstain: None Recuse: None Off the dais: None Absent: Commissioners Igram, Khawar Attest: _____________________________________________ (Ryan Sperling, Staff Liaison)
REGULAR MEETING OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2026, 6:00 P.M. AUSTIN CITY HALL, ROOM 1101 301 W. 2ND ST AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Human Rights 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 Ryan Sperling at ryan.sperling@austintexas.gov or 512-974-3568 CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: Kolby Duhon, Chair (He/They) Muneeb “Meebs” Aslam (He/Him) Melinda Avitia Lila Igram Mariana Krueger (She/Her) Tannya Oliva Martínez Gabriella Zeidan, Vice Chair Danielle Bryant Morgan Davis (He/Him) Harriett Kirsh Pozen Maryam Khawar 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 Human Rights Commission Special Called meeting on February 2, 2026. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. 3. Presentation providing an update on American Gateways’ successes and requesting prioritization of immigration funds in next year’s budget. Presentation by Rebecca Lightsey, Co-Executive Director, American Gateways. Update regarding discussions and actions at the recent Joint Inclusion Committee meetings. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. 5. Approve updates to working group membership. Approve a nomination for the Human Rights Commission’s alternate representative on the Joint Inclusion Committee. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 6. Update from the Budget Working Group regarding its progress on formulating budget recommendations for the FY2026-27 budget. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance, please contact the Liaison or TTY users’ route through 711. A person may request language access accommodations no later than 48 hours before the scheduled meeting. Please call or email Ryan Sperling at Austin City Clerk’s Office, at 512-974-3568 or ryan.sperling@austintexas.gov, to request service or for additional information. For more information on the Human Rights Commission, please contact Ryan Sperling at 512-974- 3568 or ryan.sperling@austintexas.gov.
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION SPECIAL CALLED MEETING MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2026 MINUTES The Human Rights Commission convened in a regular meeting on February 2, 2026, at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr., Room 1406, in Austin, Texas. Chair Duhon called the Human Rights Commission meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. Commissioners in Attendance: Kolby Duhon (Chair) Maryam Khawar Tannya Oliva-Martínez Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Muneeb “Meebs” Aslam Danielle Bryant Morgan Davis Hariett Kirsh-Pozen Mariana Krueger Mindy Morgan Avitia PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Garry Brown - Historical Landmark Update and Airport Blvd. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Human Rights Commission regular meeting on November 24, 2025. The motion to approve the November 24, 2025 minutes was approved on Commissioner Oliva-Martínez’ motion, Commissioner Krueger’s second on a 9-0 vote. Vice Chair Zeidan was absent. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Approve the formation of a working group to provide budget recommendations for the City of Austin FY2026-27 budget. 1 The formation of a working group to provide budget recommendations for the City of Austin FY2026-27 budget was approved on Commissioner Kirsh Pozen’s motion, Commissioner Khawar’s second on a 9-0 vote. Vice Chair Zeidan was absent. Working group members: Vice Chair Zeidan, Commissioners Morgan Avitia, Khawar, Oliva-Martínez 3. Approve a recommendation to City Council regarding Austin Police Department’s involvement with United States Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE). The motion to amend the 4th “Therefore Be It Resolved” to read “Require APD officers to obtain approval from their supervisors, with written justification, for any ICE contact initiated by APD” was approved without objection on Commissioner Krueger’s motion on a 9-0 vote. Vice Chair Zeidan was absent. The motion to amend the 5th Therefore Be It Resolved to insert “and the Human Rights Commission” before “on APD” was approved without objection on Commissioner Morgan Avitia’s motion on a 9-0 vote. The recommendation was approved as amended on Commissioner Aslam’s motion, Commissioner Kirsh Pozen’s second on a 9-0 vote. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 4. Update from the Human Rights Resource Guide Working Group regarding progress on the working group goals. Update by Commissioner Bryant. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Update from Budget WG – Duhon, Khawar Discussion to pause the wastewater pipeline construction at Festival Beach Food Forrest – Morgan Avitia, Duhon JIC Update – Oliva Martinez, Duhon ADJOURNMENT Chair Duhon adjourned the meeting without objection at 7:25 p.m. The minutes were approved at the DATE meeting on BOARD MEMBER’s …
SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 6:00 P.M. AUSTIN PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER, ROOM 1406 6310 WILHELMINA DELCO DR. AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Human Rights 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 Ryan Sperling at ryan.sperling@austintexas.gov or 512-974-3568 CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: Kolby Duhon, Chair (He/They) Muneeb “Meebs” Aslam (He/Him) Melinda Avitia Harriett Kirsh Pozen Maryam Khawar Gabriella Zeidan, Vice Chair Danielle Bryant Morgan Davis (He/Him) Mariana Krueger (She/Her) Tannya Oliva Martínez 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 Human Rights Commission regular meeting on November 24, 2025. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. 3. Approve the formation of a working group to provide budget recommendations for the City of Austin FY2026-27 budget. Approve a recommendation to City Council regarding Austin Police Department’s involvement with United States Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE). WORKING GROUP UPDATES 4. Update from the Human Rights Resource Guide Working Group regarding progress on the working group goals. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance, please contact the Liaison or TTY users’ route through 711. A person may request language access accommodations no later than 48 hours before the scheduled meeting. Please call or email Ryan Sperling at Austin City Clerk’s Office, at 512-974-3568 or ryan.sperling@austintexas.gov, to request service or for additional information. For more information on the Human Rights Commission, please contact Ryan Sperling at 512-974- 3568 or ryan.sperling@austintexas.gov.
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Human Rights Commission Recommendation Number (20260202-003): Recommendation to City Council regarding Austin Police Department’s involvement with United States Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE): WHEREAS, The Human Rights Commission advises the City of Austin on policies that protect civil rights, prevent discrimination, and promote fair and equitable treatment of all Austinites; and WHEREAS, public safety depends on trust between the community and local law enforcement, especially for victims who must feel safe calling 911 and reporting crimes; and WHEREAS, civil immigration enforcement is the responsibility of the federal government through U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), not our local police departments; and WHEREAS, when local law enforcement become involved in civil immigration matters, community members are less likely to seek help or report crimes due to fear; and WHEREAS, in January 2026, the Austin Police Department (APD) transferred a mother and her young child to ICE after responding to a disturbance call, raising widespread public concern about APD policies and practices; and WHEREAS, APD leadership has expressed that department policies related to ICE contact are under review; and WHEREAS, City legal guidance has acknowledged that Texas law under Senate Bill 4 limits the City’s ability to prohibit all cooperation with federal immigration authorities, but it does not require cities to expand local policing into civil immigration enforcement; and WHEREAS, Mayor Pro Tem Vela has stated that while a blanket prohibition on ICE contact is restricted by state law, the City retains discretion to adopt certain policies that prioritize public safety and community trust; and WHEREAS, such policies could include clear guidance which ensures that ICE notifications occur rarely, require supervisory approval, and be limited to cases involving serious or violent offenses; and WHEREAS, publicly available information shows that APD has contacted ICE numerous times in recent years based on administrative immigration warrants, raising concerns about consistency, transparency, and impacts on community trust; and WHEREAS, residents across Austin and Texas have expressed significant concern about the actions of ICE on civil liberties, including through public demonstrations and walkouts; and WHEREAS, research has shown that increased partnership between local police and federal immigration enforcement is associated with reduced crime reporting, weakened police– community relationships, and negative public safety outcomes; and WHEREAS, local government has a responsibility to protect civil liberties, maintain public trust, and act in the best interests of the people it serves; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED That the …
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Monday, November 24, 2025 The Human Rights Commission convened in a regular meeting on Monday, November 24, 2025, at 301 W. 2nd St., Boards & Commissions Room, in Austin, Texas. Chair Duhon called the Human Rights Commission meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Kolby Duhon Maryam Khawar Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Muneeb “Meebs” Aslam Danielle Bryant Morgan Davis Harriett Kirsh Pozen Tannya Oliva Martinez PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Human Rights Commission regular meeting on October 20, 2025. The minutes of the October 20, 2025 meeting were approved without objection on Commissioner Kirsh Pozen’s motion. Commissioner Bryant was off the dais. Commissioners Morgan Avitia, Krueger, and Zeidan were absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Briefing regarding Austin Homeless Strategies and Operations’ current homelessness response efforts and key metrics. Briefing by David Gray, Director, Austin Homeless Strategies and Operations. The presentation was made by David Gray, Director, Austin Homeless Strategies and Operations. 1 DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. Discussion and possible action to amend the 2025 Annual Schedule to remove the December 2025 meeting. The 2025 Annual Schedule was amended to remove the December meeting on Commissioner Bryant’s motion, Commissioner Kirsh Pozen’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Morgan Avitia, Krueger, and Zeidan were absent. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 4. Update from the Human Rights Resource Guide Working Group regarding the status of the resource guide. Update by Commissioner Bryant. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Update working group membership – Duhon, Bryant Discussion on children in foster care and the pipeline – Aslam, Davis Human Rights Resource Guide Working Group Update – Bryant, Duhon ADJOURNMENT Chair Duhon adjourned the meeting without objection at 6:58 p.m. 2
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Human Rights Commission Recommendation Number (20260202-01) Recommendation to City Council regarding Austin Police Department’s involvement with United States Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE): WHEREAS, The Human Rights Commission advises the City of Austin on policies that protect civil rights, prevent discrimination, and promote fair and equitable treatment of all Austinites; and WHEREAS, public safety depends on trust between the community and local law enforcement, especially for victims who must feel safe calling 911 and reporting crimes; and WHEREAS, civil immigration enforcement is the responsibility of the federal government through U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), not our local police departments; and WHEREAS, when local law enforcement become involved in civil immigration matters, community members are less likely to seek help or report crimes due to fear; and WHEREAS, in January 2026, the Austin Police Department (APD) transferred a mother and her young child to ICE after responding to a disturbance call, raising widespread public concern about APD policies and practices; and WHEREAS, APD leadership has expressed that department policies related to ICE contact are under review; and WHEREAS, City legal guidance has acknowledged that Texas law under Senate Bill 4 limits the City’s ability to prohibit all cooperation with federal immigration authorities, but it does not require cities to expand local policing into civil immigration enforcement; and WHEREAS, Mayor Pro Tem Vela has stated that while a blanket prohibition on ICE contact is restricted by state law, the City retains discretion to adopt certain policies that prioritize public safety and community trust; and WHEREAS, such policies could include clear guidance which ensures that ICE notifications occur rarely, require supervisory approval, and be limited to cases involving serious or violent offenses; and WHEREAS, publicly available information shows that APD has contacted ICE numerous times in recent years based on administrative immigration warrants, raising concerns about consistency, transparency, and impacts on community trust; and WHEREAS, residents across Austin and Texas have expressed significant concern about the actions of ICE on civil liberties, including through public demonstrations and walkouts; and WHEREAS, research has shown that increased partnership between local police and federal immigration enforcement is associated with reduced crime reporting, weakened police–community relationships, and negative public safety outcomes; and WHEREAS, local government has a responsibility to protect civil liberties, maintain public trust, and act in the best interests of the people it serves; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED That the Human …
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION SPECIAL CALLED MEETING MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2026 MINUTES The Human Rights Commission convened in a regular meeting on February 2, 2026, at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr., Room 1406, in Austin, Texas. Chair Duhon called the Human Rights Commission meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. Commissioners in Attendance: Kolby Duhon (Chair) Maryam Khawar Tannya Oliva-Martínez Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Muneeb “Meebs” Aslam Danielle Bryant Morgan Davis Hariett Kirsh-Pozen Mariana Krueger Mindy Morgan Avitia PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Garry Brown - Historical Landmark Update and Airport Blvd. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Human Rights Commission regular meeting on November 24, 2025. The motion to approve the November 24, 2025 minutes was approved on Commissioner Oliva-Martínez’ motion, Commissioner Krueger’s second on a 9-0 vote. Vice Chair Zeidan was absent. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Approve the formation of a working group to provide budget recommendations for the City of Austin FY2026-27 budget. 1 The formation of a working group to provide budget recommendations for the City of Austin FY2026-27 budget was approved on Commissioner Kirsh Pozen’s motion, Commissioner Khawar’s second on a 9-0 vote. Vice Chair Zeidan was absent. Working group members: Vice Chair Zeidan, Commissioners Morgan Avitia, Khawar, Oliva-Martínez 3. Approve a recommendation to City Council regarding Austin Police Department’s involvement with United States Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE). The motion to amend the 4th “Therefore Be It Resolved” to read “Require APD officers to obtain approval from their supervisors, with written justification, for any ICE contact initiated by APD” was approved without objection on Commissioner Krueger’s motion on a 9-0 vote. Vice Chair Zeidan was absent. The motion to amend the 5th Therefore Be It Resolved to insert “and the Human Rights Commission” before “on APD” was approved without objection on Commissioner Morgan Avitia’s motion on a 9-0 vote. The recommendation was approved as amended on Commissioner Aslam’s motion, Commissioner Kirsh Pozen’s second on a 9-0 vote. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 4. Update from the Human Rights Resource Guide Working Group regarding progress on the working group goals. Update by Commissioner Bryant. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Update from Budget WG – Duhon, Khawar Discussion to pause the wastewater pipeline construction at Festival Beach Food Forrest – Morgan Avitia, Duhon JIC Update – Oliva Martinez, Duhon ADJOURNMENT Chair Duhon adjourned the meeting without objection at 7:25 p.m. The minutes were approved at the February 23, 2026 meeting on …
