Anti-Displacement Efforts

Our Commitment to Preventing Gentrification in Austin Neighborhoods.

Ongoing research focused on the relationship between increasing market-rate housing production and its impact on affordability and displacement remains a topic of ongoing debate. In this short summary, our goal is to provide an overview of the developing research.

For additional context, please review the resources linked in the references section.

A Comprehensive Solution: We need Both Market-Rate & Subsidized Housing.

In a 2016 report published by California's Legislative Analyst's Office, the research presents that both market-rate and subsidized housing reduce displacement at the regional level. While subsidized housing has double the impact of market-rate units in reducing displacement, the report indicated that market-rate development would be the most effective investment in preventing low-income household displacement. This is primarily driven by the funding challenges of producing subsidized housing at scale.

Increased Supply Yielding Lower Rents: Repealing Restrictive Zoning Policies.

The Pew Charitable Trusts, a nonpartisan & evidence based non-profit institution, recently published a study showing that increasing housing supply slows rent growth. As competition decreases among tenants, displacement pressures are curtailed. While zoning reform is an ongoing development across the country, these jurisdictions have been able to keep rent growth in check by relaxing zoning regulations.

Bi-Partisan Effort: Reflecting Public Support and Opinion.

In a survey conducted this year by the Pew Charitable Trust, the findings indicate that a majority of Americans support policies to encourage more housing. The survey results show that most of the tested policies are popular and have bipartisan support, but research indicates that community members that attend and speak at public meetings tend to have much less positive views of allowing more housing. This finding is particularly evident which proposed policy changes impact single-family zoning.

Timeline & Foundation for HOME

2012 - Austin's 30-Year Comprehensive Plan

Imagine Austin is the City of Austin's 30-year comprehensive plan, adopted in 2012, aimed at guiding the city's development and growth. The plan emphasizes sustainable and compact growth, promoting a dynamic transportation network, and fostering an affordable, healthy, and inclusive community. It focuses on integrating land while preserving the environment, and bolstering economic development while maintaining Austin's unique cultural identity.

Imagine Austin is a guide for the development and implementation of the HOME Initiative. HOME is rooted in the belief that a neighborhood lies in its community, focusing on the people and their needs, so that Austin can be a home for everyone.
2017 - The City's Housing Strategic Planning

The City of Austin’s Strategic Housing Blueprint is a comprehensive 10-year plan aimed at increasing affordable housing options through coordinated resource allocation and community partnerships. A key component of this initiative is the formation of the Anti-Displacement Task Force, co-sponsored by Council Member Pool, to prevent gentrification and safeguard community interests. The blueprint’s primary objective is to keep Austin accessible for all Austinites.

The City’s blueprint includes recommendations to permit homeowners to rent out more of their property and adjust city code for smaller homes on smaller lots, two of HOME’s approach to creating more diverse and affordable housing options.
2018 - The City's Anti-Displacement Efforts

Resulting from a resolution sponsored by Council Member Pool, UT - Austin’s Uprooted Report offers a comprehensive framework for identifying and addressing displacement. The report identifies neighborhoods, mainly in the "eastern crescent," vulnerable to gentrification and risk of displacement. The report offers case studies, insights, and policy suggestions to combat displacement, serving as a crucial guide for addressing the city’s affordable housing crisis.

The report recommends allowing low-income homeowners to create internal dwelling units, to build accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and allow the homeowner to subdivide and sell a portion of their lots while remaining in place.
2018 - The Community's Response & Engagement

The “People’s Plan” is a community-crafted set of policy recommendations aimed at preventing displacement with six primary objectives. Council Member Pool co-sponsored a resolution to thoroughly examine these community suggestions. The City Council’s resolution reflects a collaborative effort to address displacement, emphasizing the importance of integrating local insights and lived experience in shaping effective and inclusive urban planning.

Many of the policies outlined by “The People’s Plan,” were implemented, including Right to Stay policies, a portal of available housing units, expanded the use of Local Historic Districts, and identified several city-owned properties to be used for low-income housing.
2018 to 2019 - The Austin Housing Justice Agenda

Under the Austin Housing Justice Agenda, City Council Members from the Eastern Crescent established seven anti-displacement goals; six of the goals have been realized. These include a $350 million housing bond, enhanced tenant protections & relocation assistance, and initiatives to distribute affordable housing citywide. This efforts yielded significant progress in addressing housing challenges and ensuring equitable living conditions for Austin's residents.

The Austin Housing Justice Agenda only has one unfulfilled goal; the implementation plan called for more inclusive zoning regulations, specifically allowing more units on single-family lots. The HOME Initiative’s first phase is allowing up to 3 units per lot.