Austin’s housing prices make it difficult for many individuals to secure a suitable place to live. Recently the City of Austin commissioned a study of the housing market and found the median home price inside the city boundaries is approximately $ 260,000. Over the past ten years median home prices in the Austin area have increased by approximately 50%, while income has increased by only about 30%. The City of Austin study indicated severe shortages in two major housing groups: Rental homes under $ 425/ month and homeownership options between # 113,000 and $ 240,000. “From 1970 -1990, Austin was one of the most affordable cities in the US. But, in 1999, the Community Action Network stated housing affordability in Austin had reached crisis proportion.” HousingWorks A 2005 Texas A&M Real Estate Center Report noted that Austin has the highest housing costs for an urban area in Texas. And, in Spring 2008 survey, conducted on behalf of the non-profit Housing Works, 63% of Austinites expressed fears that homes in Austin will become unaffordable for themselves or people they care about.
ABBA is working with the Real Estate Council of Austin, The Austin Area Research Organization, the Urban Land Institute and HousingWorks to advocate for: a local housing policy that includes comprehensive planning for all kinds of homes in all parts of town to support a jobs-housing match; preservation of existing apartments; construction of new homes in more densely developed Austin; repair of existing homes occupied by low-income home owners; development of supportive housing; examination of regulations and their impact on the cost of housing; and new funding resources to make all this possible.
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME, TREASURE AND TALENT PLEASE VISIT THE FOLLOWING SITES:
www.housingworksaustin.org
http://www.austinhabitat.org/volunteer/index.php
http://www.covenant.org/mission-ministry/partners-in-hope
http://www.aaimaustin.org/housing.html