Austinites could weigh in on those upcoming proposals and learn about existing resources at Saturday’s Housing Affordability Fair.

AUSTIN, Texas — City of Austin leaders are continuing efforts to tackle rising housing costs for both renters and homeowners.

On Saturday, the Austin Housing and Austin Planning hosted a Housing Affordability Fair at the Conley-Guerrero Senior Activity Center in East Austin, where residents could learn about rental assistance, home repair programs and other resources aimed at easing financial strain.

The event comes as the Austin City Council advances new policies designed to expand housing options. On March 26, council members approved a zoning plan intended to increase “missing middle” housing, including duplexes, townhomes and other smaller-scale developments.

“What we’ve identified though is more deeply affordable units for individuals that are working,” said Deletta Dean, director of Austin Housing. “That’s where we need to be able to create more affordability, so that individuals, again, that provide our services for us, whether it be at restaurants or services that are essential to us, we need to make sure that they’re in Austin so that we can continue to support Austinites.”

Now, city staff are working on the next step: a proposed Citywide Density Bonus Program. The initiative would allow developers to build more densely in certain areas in exchange for including income-restricted units.

“So, the benefit of this is that we can increase housing near transit while still getting income-restricted housing for lower-income community members,” said Warner Cook, a principal planner with Austin Planning. “We’ll have walkable neighborhoods that will be close to transit, and everybody can live in them.”

The proposal is expected to move quickly in the coming weeks. A virtual open house is scheduled for Monday, April 13, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., giving residents a chance to learn more and provide input.

The Planning Commission will take up the program on April 28, with a final vote by City Council set for May 21.

More information about the virtual meeting is available here. More information about current resources for renters and homeowners can be found here.