City Council to Initiate Planning for Climate Change Bond Package

The bond would go before voters in 2025 or 2026

"...facility more affordable, as well as improvements to two density bonus programs (which allow builders to construct taller buildings..."

July 19, 2024 News Feature by Austin Sanders

Council to Approve More Ambitious Development Reforms, and Considers Displacement

City aims to lower housing cost, considers displacement risk

"...federal authorities to produce the kind of large-scale housing programs (such as those launched by the federal government in..."

May 17, 2024 News Feature by Austin Sanders

Headlines / Quote of the Week

"...Council work session last week, specifically applying the Downtown Density Bonus Program to the redevelopment...."

May 10, 2024 News Feature

Council Wants More Housing Near Project Connect Stations

Bring on the trains

"...which could open 10 years from now. But “transit-supportive density” can also spur usage of other, non-car types of..."

April 19, 2024 News Feature by Austin Sanders

Breaking Down What the HOME Initiative’s Passing Means for Austin

Council approves HOME phase one, looks ahead to phase two

"...income-restricted (that's a set-aside rate of 33%; other affordability programs typically require 10% of units be affordable)...."

Dec. 15, 2023 News Feature by Austin Sanders

Homeowners Kill Prior City Council’s Modest Housing Reforms

Low-income housing program to survive legal challenge

"...The challenged ordinances include vertical mixed-use 2 (VMU2), a bonus program that allows developers to build taller buildings in..."

Nov. 17, 2023 News Feature by Lina Fisher

Rules That Block Apartments Near Single-Family Homes Should Change, City Staff Says

Compatibility restricts homes near amenities

"...unlocked by providing on-site affordable housing, through a yet-to-be-created bonus program...."

Sept. 18, 2023 News Post by Austin Sanders

Homeowners Sue to Block Code Changes Meant to Increase Affordability

The same group won a suit in 2020 over land use reforms

"...year: a new tier in the Vertical Mixed Use density bonus program, modest reforms to compatibility regulations, and changes..."

Aug. 25, 2023 News Post by Austin Sanders

Council Attitudes on Land-Use Change as Limits on Building Near Houses Are Eased

Council cuts compatibility with little opposition

"...the height-restricting compatibility rules. Before Council approved a different program last year modifying compatibility rules for Vertical Mixed Use..."

June 9, 2023 News Post by Austin Sanders

Council Poised to Pass Three Housing Supply-Friendly Items

The most controversial would allow larger apartment complexes near single-family homes

"...and Natasha Harper-Madison – that would expand an existing density bonus program, create a new one, and ease compatibility..."

June 9, 2023 News Feature by Austin Sanders

Public Notice: The Two Sides of “More Housing”

“More at all costs,” or “more that’s not costly”?

"...them are focused on expanding affordable housing construction through density bonus programs – allowing a denser development if some..."

June 9, 2023 News Column by Nick Barbaro

Lawsuit Threatens Council’s Modest Progress on Housing Crisis

Same group that blocked land code rewrite in 2020 is back

"...first, an update to the city’s Vertical Mixed Use density bonus program, which allows developers to build taller and..."

March 6, 2023 News Post by Austin Sanders

The Quest for Nine Votes on Land Use Code

Council proposes revising Austin's strict compatibility standards

"...three policies – an update to the vertical mixed-use bonus program, a relaxation of Austin's stringent compatibility standards, and..."

Dec. 16, 2022 News Feature by Austin Sanders

The Mayor’s Race Offers Clear Choices on How Austin Should Grow

Election marks a critical juncture on the way to Austin's future

"...the LDC citywide in one vote to allow greater density by right in more places, it would require property..."

Oct. 14, 2022 News Feature by Austin Sanders

Affordable Housing and How to Get More Keeps Council Busy

What happened last week and what's on this week's Council agenda

"...meeting were deep anxieties about expanding the vertical mixed-use density bonus program, designed to create affordable housing on Austin's..."

June 17, 2022 News Feature by Maggie Quinlan

Inching Toward Higher Heights to Get More Housing

Advocates for low-income tenants urge a go-slow approach

"...were deep anxieties about expanding the Vertical Mixed Use density bonus program, designed to create affordable housing on Austin’s..."

June 13, 2022 News Post by Maggie Quinlan

City Council to Tweak Compatibility Rules Amid Housing Crisis

Can a change help stem rising housing and rent costs?

"...category as a modest update of an already successful density bonus program that's brought affordable units to places like..."

June 10, 2022 News Feature by Austin Sanders

Public Notice: Setting an Agenda for Land Use

"...vertical mixed-use ordinance, which is the city's most successful density bonus program – allowing bigger buildings on those corridors..."

June 3, 2022 News Column by Nick Barbaro

Council Preview: More Eighth Street Cash, More VMU Talk

Beanbag rounds, babies, and buildings on the agenda

"...act on, suggested changes to the existing vertical mixed-use density bonus program, which raises height limits on selected properties..."

May 20, 2022 News Feature by Maggie Quinlan

Council Punts on VMU and Guaranteed Income

$1,000 checks from the city and lax parking regulations will have to wait

"...The first postponement, on amending the city's vertical mixed-use density bonus program – which allows developers to build above..."

April 29, 2022 News Feature by Austin Sanders

Austin at Large: The Road Goes on Forever …

After 30 years of effort, East 12th Street is still a long way from its envisioned future

"...approve changes to vertical mixed-use zoning and its attendant density bonus, and initiate a pilot guaranteed-income program. I get..."

April 29, 2022 News Column by Mike Clark-Madison

Austin's Best Density Bonus Remains in Suspense

To V(MU) or not to V

"...to vote today, April 21, on revisions to a density bonus program that would allow multifamily developers to build..."

April 22, 2022 News Feature by Austin Sanders

Public Notice: Think Globally, Act Locally

Planning for mobility, hoping for democracy

"...election, and the city Public Works Department's Urban Trails Program is leading the design process. See the plans and..."

March 18, 2022 News Column by Nick Barbaro

Greg Casar and Eddie Rodriguez Fight for the Progressive Mantle in TX-35

The two candidates race to the left

"...a bill that expanded the state's free school breakfast program, reaching around 700,000 children across the state. Republicans opposed..."

Feb. 4, 2022 News Feature by Austin Sanders

Rodriguez Attacks Casar Over Homelessness Policy

Dems condemn political ad’s “Republican-style” tactics

"...from Austin voters. The following year, he crafted a density bonus program known as Affordability Unlocked that quickly became..."

Jan. 29, 2022 News Post by Austin Sanders

Proposed Development Would Revive Austin Opera House but Faces Neighbor Opposition

200 Academy Drive: Big hit or last call?

"...not requesting upzoning the property, increasing height through a density bonus, or seeking any variances from code. This project..."

Jan. 21, 2022 News Feature by Kevin Curtin

Council Seeks Consensus as It Eyes Affordability Crisis

A lot is not enough

"...real people. Take, for example, Affordability Unlocked, the lauded density bonus program introduced by Council Member Greg Casar and..."

Dec. 3, 2021 News Feature by Austin Sanders

Austin at Large: It’s Good to Try New Things

We could build more decent housing for all Austinites if we rethink what’s “normal”

"...banning single-family zoning. In fact, it includes expanding homeownership programs to promote Black and Indigenous wealth creation, even though..."

July 30, 2021 News Column by Mike Clark-Madison

Council: A Rezoning Case at Historic Delta Kappa Gamma House

On the agenda: A contract with the SAFE Alliance to run a new family violence shelter and Stratus eyes the sky

"...But it is also applying for the city's Downtown Density Bonus Program, which would allow developer Stratus Properties to..."

May 21, 2021 News Feature by Austin Sanders

Council Recap: Hey, Remember That Thing We Asked You to Do?

City Council revisits resilience hubs and Rainey Street density

"...will also likely feature a revision of the Downtown Density Bonus Program and the parallel Rainey Street program, also..."

April 16, 2021 News Feature by Mike Clark-Madison

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