Austin Housing Finance Corporation adopts three affordable-housing consent items; nonprofit formation postponed

The Austin Housing Finance Corporation board of directors adopted its consent agenda at the meeting called to order at 2:39 p.m., approving payment for The Grove planned unit development, a construction contract for the Doris Hathaway affordable residential development and the April 10 meeting minutes. A fourth agenda item on the creation of a nonprofit was postponed until July after staff said the change was needed to comply with newly passed state law.

James May, housing and community development officer with the City of Austin Housing Department, told the board the Grove payment concerns 32 affordable rental units for households at or below 60% of area median family income and that “we have the cash ready to pay, we just need approval from you.” May also described a proposed construction contract for the Doris Hathaway affordable residential development at 8404 Hathaway Drive with Construct in Noble for $747,000, part of a total contract award of $822,000; those units will be part of a community land trust.

Community member Zenobia Joseph spoke during public comment on the consent agenda and urged the city to publish map overlays showing where low-income (including 30% area median income) units are located. Joseph said bus service improvements have left disparities across the city and that some residents wait substantially longer for transit; she described the pattern as discriminatory and cited Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Joseph also asked for transparency when nonprofit entities are formed and requested clearer public explanations about membership and purpose when staff return the nonprofit-formation item to the board.

Board member Veil highlighted item 3, the Doris Hathaway project, as an example of an affordable homeownership opportunity the board does not see often. “We’re building about, I think, 25 units at 60–80% MFI for ownership,” Veil said, noting the project is located across from Burnet Bridal and expressing hope that staff, teachers and other local households will be able to use the opportunity.

The chair asked for a motion to adopt the consent agenda; the motion was made by board member Velas and seconded by board member Alter. The consent agenda was adopted without objection; Council Member Harper-Madison was noted as temporarily off the dais. Earlier in the meeting staff had described the fourth agenda item as withdrawn “to ensure we are in compliance with newly passed state law,” but staff later clarified the item was postponed until July or another future meeting date.

The board adjourned at 2:47 p.m. Item 4 on nonprofit formation will return at a future meeting for further public discussion and staff explanation, per the board’s announcement.