Austin Housing Finance Corporation adopts seven‑item consent agenda including $750,000 grant and $10.5 million property acquisition

The Austin Housing Finance Corporation Board of Directors approved a seven‑item consent agenda at a brief meeting that began at 10:46 a.m. and adjourned at 10:52 a.m. The package included accepting a $750,000 grant from St. David’s Foundation for a homeownership development at 5900 Pleasant Valley; winding down three AHFC nonprofit corporations; authorization to acquire four parcels on the 2900 block of South Congress Avenue for about $10,500,000 plus closing costs; approval of December meeting minutes; and authorization to contract with Guidehouse Inc. to implement recommendations for AHFC’s rental and ownership housing development assistance programs.

James May, housing and community development officer for the Housing Department, summarized the agenda items for the board and offered all seven items on consent. “First, the first item is to accept $750,000 grant from St. David’s Foundation to support the 5900 Pleasant Valley development,” May said, and described the proposed property acquisition as four parcels on the 2900 block of South Congress Avenue at a total cost of $10,500,000 plus closing costs, with funding available in the 2024–25 AHFC budget. May also said items 2, 3 and 4 would wind up and terminate three AHFC nonprofit corporations (AHFC Avalon Nonprofit Corporation; AHFC Village on Little Texas Nonprofit Corporation; and AHFC Pecan Park PSH Nonprofit Corporation) and that any assets these entities hold would revert to AHFC general ownership.

During public comment, Zenobia Joseph spoke on the item to dissolve the Pecan Park nonprofit and said she supported termination of that entity. “I actually am for the termination of this Pecan Park nonprofit,” Joseph said, and cited concerns about homelessness response strategies and racial disparities. Quoting an agency staff member, she said “rapid rehousing is not the most effective tool to use for people who are chronically homeless.” Joseph also told the board she wanted members to note that “African Americans are over 6 times more likely to be homeless in Austin than our white counterparts” and raised concerns about income discrimination at the property she described as the former Candlewood Suites hotel in District 6.

Board member Vela moved to approve the consent agenda as read; Council member Velasquez seconded the motion. The city clerk reported one speaker on the consent agenda. The chair declared the consent agenda adopted “without objection.” The board then adjourned at 10:52 a.m.

Votes at a glance (consent agenda items and outcomes): • Accept $750,000 grant from St. David’s Foundation to support homeownership development at 5900 Pleasant Valley — approved on consent. • Wind up and terminate AHFC Avalon Nonprofit Corporation — approved on consent; assets to revert to AHFC general. • Wind up and terminate AHFC Village on Little Texas Nonprofit Corporation — approved on consent; assets to revert to AHFC general. • Wind up and terminate AHFC Pecan Park PSH Nonprofit Corporation — approved on consent; assets to revert to AHFC general. • Approve December AHFC Board meeting minutes — approved on consent. • Authorize acquisition of four parcels on the 2900 block of South Congress Avenue for a total cost of $10,500,000 plus closing costs (funding available in the 2024–25 AHFC budget) — approved on consent. • Authorize contract with Guidehouse Inc. to assist implementation of recommendations for rental and ownership housing development assistance programs — approved on consent.

The board record shows the consent agenda was adopted without objection; no roll‑call vote tally was recorded in the meeting transcript.