Five proposed affordable housing projects are going before a committee Tuesday that will review whether the proposed developments are in compliance with the city's affordable housing requirements.
After the Housing Bond Review Committee has reviewed the five applications, the proposals will go to Rosie Truelove, the city's Neighborhood Housing and Community Development interim director, who will make recommendations to Austin City Council on whether to fully or partially fund the projects.
Voters approved a $65 million bond to be spent on affordable housing projects in November 2013. Housing Development Manager David Potter said the city has spent $27 million of the bond so far.
Located at 21 Waller St. and run by the Austin Geriatric Center, the project consists of 491 units available for rent. It aims to serve low-income residents over age 62 and those who are most vulnerable to homelessness and will also have 10 permanent supportive housing units. The AGC is asking for $7 million to renovate the current 16-floor, 48-year-old Rebekah Baines Johnson tower—which houses 250 people—and add about 253 units of new construction.
Ninety-seven units are proposed for the tentatively-named Govalle Terrace, located in East Austin at 1141 Shady Lane. The Cesar Chavez Foundation, the organization developing the project, is asking for $3.38 million to build a four-story, mixed-income, multifamily development on 3.9 acres. Of the 97 studios, and one-, two- and three-bedroom units proposed, 78 will target people who make 30-60 percent of the average median income, or AMI.
Developed by the Guadaloupe Neighborhood Development Corporation, the seven units that make up Alley Flats would be located on Gonzales, Prado, Lydia and Willow streets and vary in size from one to three bedrooms. The GNDC is asking for $1.28 million to build the units, which will cater to those making between 0 and 50 percent of the AMI. Two of the seven proposed units are currently empty, and the other five have yet to be built.
This eight-unit, two- and three-bedroom project is proposed to be built along Father Joe Znotas Street in East Austin for households with incomes at or below 80 percent of the area median family income. The Guadalupe Neighborhood Development Corporation is asking for $964,610 for construction. The subdivision consists of 24 total vacant lots that will be eventually have affordable housing units.
Located on Radam Lane, Booth Village consists of 45 units developed by the Salvation Army. The project will offer transitional housing, meaning residency is typically limited to no longer than 24 months, and permanent supportive housing. The Salvation Army is looking to house families with children experiencing homelessness with priority given to veteran families. It is asking for $4 million to build the one-, two- and three-bedroom units.
