HOME: A City and Council Initiative Responding to The Housing Emergency in Austin, TX
Steph, here! Austin has always held a special place in my heart. It's where I found my footing right out of college, brimming with hopes, dreams, and – let's be real – a lot of student debt.
With a fresh salary of $43K, my Austin adventure started on shaky ground. As I looked around my beloved neighborhood, the realization hit: I was about to be priced out of the rental market.
This brings me to the heart of the matter - an initiative in our city called HOME. For those unfamiliar, HOME stands for "Home Options for Middle-income Empowerment." Its mission? To create more housing options for middle-income households.
The escalating housing crisis in Austin isn't just about bricks and mortar. It's about people, families, and communities. It’s about retirees who wish to settle peacefully, young parents looking for a backyard for their kids, or city workers who deserve to live near where they work without battling grueling commutes. It's about nurses, teachers, EMS medics, and entrepreneurs who make Austin the great city that it is.
When I read about HOME's goals to empower homeowners with more options, it gave me hope. The proposal to create Three-Unit Residential Uses, allow flexibility for Tiny Homes, and address occupancy limits are promising. Not just for homeowners, but for young professionals, families, and every Austinite who dreams of calling this city 'home' without breaking the bank.
The incredible support HOME has garnered from diverse groups like AARP Texas, Habitat for Humanity, and the Austin Board of Realtors underscores a broader sentiment. Austin yearns for change.
My journey creating Open House Austin has always been rooted in the vision of fostering a community that's inclusive, diverse, and brimming with opportunities. It’s not just about four walls and a roof; it's about the heartbeat of Austin and ensuring every resident feels its rhythm.
If the rising rents or the elusive dream of homeownership in Austin ever made you pause, know that you're not alone. HOME is a shared vision, a collective endeavor, and a commitment to ensuring an Austin where everyone has a place to call home.
I urge you to learn more about Phase 1 (summarized below!) and voice your thoughts if it resonates with your values.
WHAT DOES HOME PHASE 1 DO?
For Homeowners:
Allow more homes on your property
House a parent, caregiver, or earn passive income
Add a Tiny Home for the most affordable option
For Homebuyers & Renters:
Creates more affordable “starter homes” for 1st time buyers
Increases housing supply driving down rent and purchase prices
Builds more housing closer to transit, work, & play
HOW DOES HOME RESPOND TO CLIMATE CHANGE?
Allows for smaller homes resulting in lower energy and water use
Reduces emissions & slows urban sprawl
Promotes Imagine Austin & supports Project Connect
HOW DOES HOME IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT?
Improves air quality by getting commuters off the road
Preserves natural habitats and green spaces with more efficient land use
Saves existing trees
HOW DOES HOME PROMOTE IMAGINE AUSTIN GOALS?
Creates smaller, more diverse housing types city-wide
Fosters more walkable & connected neighborhoods
Supports transit investments & efficient use of infrastructure
TAKE ACTION NOW!
Share Your Thoughts: Talk about HOME within your neighborhood & online community
Tell Your Story: Email your City Council Member or testify at the public hearing
Learn More: HOME Schedule & Information