As Beside the Point discusses in print this week, creation of a homestead preservation district for east Austin came before the council today; it was summarily approved earlier this morning. While the city pencils in the boundaries of the district, they must wait for some of the heavier lifting to be done in the recently convened House. Austin Rep. Eddie Rodriguez, author of legislation creating the district last session, must also guide a follow up bill through the Lege cleaning up some of its provisions – which hopefully shouldn’t be complicated by his vote against Tom Craddick in the Speaker race. As he told Council and onlookers earlier today, “After my vote on Tuesday I feel more comfortable here, at least for a week or so.”
Press release from Mike Martinez’s office on the HPD below the fold.
Council Adopts Homestead Preservation District Language
The Austin City Council adopted language today that will create a Homestead Preservation District to combat the effects of gentrification and provide new avenues for affordable housing in East Austin.
The ordinance adopted by council today will take effect on the effective date of House Bill 470, authored by Rep. Eddie Rodriguez, or legislation substantially similar.
“I wholeheartedly commend the Austin City Council for taking a very important step toward the future viability of the Homestead Preservation District in East Austin. The Homestead Preservation District will allow the city of Austin to expand the capacity and quality of affordable housing for low- and middle-income households. Promoting and expanding affordable housing in the city of Austin is crucial for the exceptional quality of living we as community advocate for,” said Rep. Eddie Rodriguez. “I acknowledge the need for legislative adjustments in order to fulfill the whole purpose of this district. My full cooperation can be counted on in securing the necessary changes during the current legislative session.”
The Homestead Preservation Act, created in 2005 with the passage of House Bill 525 and authored by Rodriguez, provides for a number of tools including a community land trust, a land bank and a reinvestment zone that directs a portion of increased property taxes in the district to help ease the ill effects of gentrification in East Austin.
“Passage of this ordinance today is a small first move in the right direction for East Austin. It is my hope that once House Bill 470 passes and takes effect, the city of Austin can immediately begin the process of setting up all of the components available to us through the Homestead Preservation Act,” said Council Member Mike Martinez, sponsor of the ordinance. “Austin has an amazing opportunity with these tools to be a leader for the rest of the country in preserving urban and minority neighborhoods in the face of fast paced growth. East Austin is an integral piece of what makes Austin a place like no other, and losing it dramatically changes Austin in innumerable negative ways.”
“Austin is seeing an amazing revitalization of our urban core right now. As we enjoy the benefits of all the new activity around us, we need to strive to protect and maintain the character that makes our city such a great place to live, work and play in the first place,” said Mayor Will Wynn, co-sponsor of the ordinance. “Our greatest strength of character, of course, is people. The Homestead Preservation District will be an important tool to make sure that, as we see all this positive growth in our downtown neighborhoods, we maintain a sustainable, balanced mix of housing options.”
“Affordable housing is one of the most challenging issues we face in our city today. This ordinance (Homestead Preservation Act) gives us an effective tool to promote home ownership and prevent the loss of homes due to rising cost,” said Council Member Sheryl Cole, also a co-sponsor.
This article appears in 2006.