AUSTIN, Texas — While rent prices are dropping slightly, affordability is still a concern for many Austinites.
The nonprofit HousingWorks Austin and city leaders are working to bring more affordable housing near places where Project Connect could add public transit options in the future.
“We know for a lot of low-income housing, transit remains the key way for them to get around," Awais Azhar, the deputy director of HousingWorks Austin, said.
Azhar said his organization and the city are trying to bring more apartments in areas where Project Connect is focused. The new housing would go from Ben White Boulevard north a few miles to U.S. 183.
"For a lot of low-income households that might not have a vehicle at all or might have one to be able to get from the city, this includes getting to educational opportunities, getting to employment, getting to child care opportunities," he said.
Azhar said these are the early stages, but the city council is looking at several code changes that will be discussed in the upcoming council meeting to make housing along Project Connect possible.
"How do we expand more height in developable areas along these light rails, but in lieu of requiring affordable housing as part of an incentive a developer might participate in?" Azhar asked.
He said this will take years to see the finished product, but it could produce thousands of new housing units for people of all income levels.
Tim Spoon uses the bus daily. He said he would like to see more affordable housing and transportation options. He said he would be interested in living in affordable housing.
"I would as long as it were convenient," Spoon said.
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