"Originally, the city had intended it to be at least partially developer-funded, but state legislation disallowed that. So, in 2023, the city adopted a budget rider (confusingly still called the "developer fee," though it will be provided by the city) commissioning a study to see what that fee amount should be. The Austin Housing Department, with the help of Oregon-based public policy research firm ECOnorthwest presented the results to Council's Housing and Planning Committee Tuesday."
"Similar programs exist in other cities: In San Antonio, a city-funded program gives renters up to $3,500 and mobile home owners $7,500. Seattle's program gives renters $5000, funded in equal parts by the property owner and the city, available to people living at 50 percent or below the Area Median Income. In Palo Alto, property owners are responsible for the assistance, and can pay up to almost $20,000 for a three bedroom house."
"In Austin, redevelopment of five or more units or mobile home development site plan changes and rezonings trigger a tenant notification requirement. As it stands now, the program's notice period for multifamily units is 120 days, and for mobile homes is 270 days. The eligibility for assistance sits at 70 percent Median Family Income (MFI) for multifamily residents, 80 percent for mobile home residents."
Austin's 2016 tenant notification and relocation ordinance requires notice and assistance when demolition or renovation could displace tenants. State law prevented original developer-funded plans, prompting a 2023 budget rider and a city-commissioned study on fee amounts. The Austin Housing Department and ECOnorthwest produced recommendations for implementation and presented them to Council's Housing and Planning Committee. Comparable programs in San Antonio, Seattle, and Palo Alto offer varying cash assistance amounts and funding models. Triggers include redevelopment of five or more units or mobile home site plan changes and rezonings. Notice periods are 120 days for multifamily and 270 days for mobile homes; assistance includes a housing locator within 50 miles, moving and storage aid, and a $6,000 cap.
Read at Austin Monitor
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