Six proposed sites are in the running for state funds as the city looks to set more Austinites up for success.

AUSTIN, Texas — Six proposed developments could mean more affordable housing for Austin renters as the city passed a resolution to support applications for state tax credits. 

“It took me a minute. It was quite high, um, because I was renting just for myself. I was looking for a one bedroom, one bath,” Chad Hicks said. 

He is one of many that was granted affordable housing, now paying just under a quarter of his income to live near Mueller. He also works in that section of the city. 

“I don’t have a car either. So, that is helpful, extremely helpful,” Hicks said. 

Austin City Council voted on a resolution Thursday to support six application for the Low-Income Housing Tax Credits. 

“Today’s vote on item 36 is about affordable housing on site,” Councilman Zo Qadri said at the city council meeting. Two of the proposed sites are in his district. 

One is slated for Philomena Street in Mueller, across the way from an existing affordable housing complex. Eighty units are expected to go there. 

“I’d say actually South Congress really no longer. is a great benefit because it’s not set up anymore for the neighborhood,” Martha Newman said. 

The other proposed development is in her backyard. Just around the corner on Nickerson Street and East Annie Street. That proposed development calls for 75 units. 

“We’re very, very worried both about the traffic and about the parking,” Newman said. 

The city had picked those two sites along with the other four to help better set Austinites for success. The areas, like South Congress and Mueller, are known for job opportunities and access to CapMetro. The South Congress site in particular is said to be a half mile walk from the long-anticipated Light Rail, which goes online in 2033. 

Despite Newman’s concerns, she is in favor of more affordable housing in Austin. 

“I understand very much why people think affordable housing close to Congress would be a good idea. Um, there are a lot of people working on Congress who, um, in the shops and what have you that probably are commuting in a very long distance,” Newman said. 

According to the City of Austin Housing Department, the cost of the units will be determined by a person’s income and the median family income, MFI. 

As of the 2025 fiscal year the MFI for a 4-person household is at $133,880.

Housing projects that receive low-income tax credits must meet eligibility for at least 30 years after they open. 

Councilman Qadri’s said he plans to meet with community members and developers to further discuss the plans for the proposed affordable housing developments in District 9.Â