Item 13: Draft Recommendation — original pdf

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RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE Recommendation Number: [20260325-013]: Funding to Conduct an Updated Asian American Quality of Life Study Recommendation: The Joint Inclusion Committee recommends that the City of Austin allocate $200,000 in the FY 2027 budget to conduct an updated Asian American Quality of Life Study. Description of Recommendation to Council: Austin’s demographics have changed. The data guiding City decisions has not. This funding would support: ● Survey design, administration, and data analysis ● Participant incentives to ensure representative participation ● Community outreach and engagement ● Reporting and presentations to City departments and advisory bodies This investment accounts for population growth, inflation, and improved data collection methods compared to the 2014 study. Rationale: The City’s most recent Asian American Quality of Life Study was completed in 2016, using data collected in 2014. That data is now outdated and no longer reflects Austin’s current demographics. Asian Americans are among the fastest-growing populations in Austin, with significant changes in population size, geographic distribution, languages spoken, housing conditions, economic stability, and health needs—particularly following COVID-19. Despite this growth, City departments continue to report limited and incomplete data on Asian American residents, making equitable planning and service delivery difficult. Without updated, disaggregated data, Asian American communities remain underrepresented in City decision-making and program design. The updated study would: ● Reflect current demographic and population changes RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL ● Provide disaggregated data across Asian ethnic groups, age, language, and neighborhood Identify gaps in access to health, housing, economic, and City services ● ● Support data-driven planning and equitable service delivery across City departments The study will result in a public report and actionable findings for City use.