This page contains a comprehensive list of projects and programs that fall under the Regional Affordability Committee's Strategic Plan.  It is updated regularly.

Regional Affordability Committee

The Regional Affordability Committee provides an expanded opportunity for transparency, public input, and collaboration between taxing jurisdictions and local leaders to improve how we serve to the community. It was established in 2015 (Ordinance No. 20150129-022), and is comprised of respresentatives from the following entities:

Entity Entity
City of Austin- City Council Del Valle Independent School District- Board of Trustees
Travis County- Commissioners Court Capital Metro Transportation Authority- Board of Directors
Austin Independent School District- Board of Trustees Leander Independent School District- Board of Trustees (vacant)
Austin Community College- Board of Directors Williamson County- Commissioners Court (vacant)
Central Health- Board of Directors Round Rock Independent School District- Board of Trustees

 

Regional Affordability Committee Strategic Plan

The Regional Affordability Committee members developed a strategic plan over four of their general committee meetings, with the aim of crafting a plan that would reflect the Committee's mission, vision, and strategic goals.  The Strategic Plan includes a two year roadmap, and the Committee will review its progress quarterly and update the plan annually as needed.

Some factors the Committee considered in developing the Strategic Plan were:

  • The affordability crisis that the City of Austin and the Central Texas region are experiencing which impacts many residents quality of life and their ability to afford basic needs including food, housing, transportation, and healthcare.
  • The cost burden on Austin residents which is almost  23% of residents who dedicate more than 30% of their  income to housing costs (including utilities), and the 9% of Austin residents who  are severely cost burdened since  they dedicate more than 50% of their  income to housing costs.
  • A report published by the City of Austin in June 2013 titled, Market Trends and Issues for Affordable Housing in Austin, which states that, “since 2001, nominal median household incomes in the Austin area have increased by only about 25 percent in general while inflation (represented by Consumer Price Index) has increased by roughly 35 percent.  During that same period, median home prices have increased by 40 percent, and median rents have increased by 50 percent.”
  • The unprecedented opportunity to improve communication and collaboration between governmental jurisdictions with new leadership at every level of local government.

The Strategic Plan has the following six initiatives:

Initiative
Affordable and Attainable Housing Affordable and Accessible Transportation
Government Efficienct Quality Affordable Childcare
Wellness and Quality Healthcare Quality Education and Workforce Training

Program and Initiative Inventory

The following programs and inititatives relate to affordabiltiy in the Central Texas area.  Something about tying to the strategic plan.

Transportation

Capital Metro

Program Description
Accessible Fixed Route Fleet CapMetro operates a 100% accessible fixed route fleet, with priority boarding for seniors, passengers in wheelchairs, and other passengers with disabilities.  Offers braille signage at bus stops, and stop announcements are made in English and Spanish upon request.
ADA Bus Stop Improvement Program This program Goal is to have 99% ADA accessibility at all CapMetro bus stops; currently at 97%.
Reduced Fares and Passes

Eligible riders receive half price fare. Eligible riders include:

  • Seniors over 65
  • Medicare cardholders
  • Riders with disabilities
  • MetroAccess
Travel Training & Safety Tether Program Personalized, one-on-one training to teach riders how to safely and independently ride the accessible fixed-route system. The safety tether program provides tethers or tape at no cost to the user to assist with wheelchair securement.
MetroAccess ADA Paratransit Services

MetroAccess is a demand-response, shared-ride service for people whose disabilities prevent them from riding regular bus and rail service. MetroAccess service complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).
Office of Mobility Management

The Office of Mobility Management is a partnership between CARTS and Capital Metro with the purpose of increasing connectivity among all transportation providers in the region and creating a seamless transportation network. The office will focus on closing the gaps in service by working with local jurisdictions, coordinating with service providers and implementing new tools.
Vehicle Mobility Grant Program Awards retired RideShare vehicles to nonprofits, with the goal of building capacity for transportation of people with disabilities across the region

 

Central Health

Program Description
Community Care Collaborative The Community Care Collaborative (CCC) is a healthcare delivery system that is a national model for providing high quality, cost-effective, person-centered care and improving health outcomes for the vulnerable people they serve.
Specialty Care Projects This project developed talking scripts for the CCC referral management team to proactively identify transportation needs during appointment scheduling. 
Medical Management Program For eligibile patients, the CCC provides taxi vouchers, bus passes, coordination with caregivers for transportation support,  andassistance with completion of CapMetro access applications
RideAustin Transportation Pilot This pilot program has a goal of optimizing patient's health by reducing barriers to accessing healthcare.  CCC will partner with RideAustin and UT Dell Medical School to provide high-need patients with free transportation to mediacl appointments and pharmacies.

City of Austin

Program Description
Sidewalk Program The City's Sidewalk program is responsible for installing miles of sidewalks around the City of Austin for transportation and recreation use.

The Americans with Disabilities Act is a driving factor in making sure that the right-of-way along our streets is safe and accessible for all.

Travis County

Evictions

City of Austin

Department Program Description
NHCD Tenat Based Rental Assistance The Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) program provides rental- housing subsidies and security deposits to eligible case-managed families working toward self-sufficiency.
NHCD Tenants' Rights Assistance

Tenants' Rights Assistance provides services to tenants residing in Austin city limits. Objectives of this program include:

  • facilitate mediation services between landlords and low- to moderate-income tenants to complete health and safety related repairs in rental units, which will help maintain reasonable habitability standards;
  • provide direct counseling and technical assistance to low-income renters regarding tenant/landlord issues;
  • provide public education and information through workshops and public forums on landlord/tenant relationships and educate renters on their rights as well as their responsibilities under the law; and 4) identify fair housing complaints that can be investigated and may assist in resolving, reducing or minimizing discriminatory housing practices..
NHCD Rent Availability Pilot The purpose of the contract is assisting clients in filling the gap between rental costs and the income they may have available for rent.

APH

 HOPWA Short-Term Rent, Mortgage, and Utility (STRMU) The Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department contracts with AIDS Services of Austin (ASA) to manage the Short-Term Rent, Mortgage, and Utility Assistance program (STRMU). Both agencies work with four community-based organizations to provide essential financial help to persons living with HIV/AIDS and their families. Case managers assess client needs and submit requests for assistance. STRMU provides monthly payments to eligible clients who are at risk of becoming homeless.
APH HOPWA Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) Austin Public Health (APH) contracts with AIDS Services of Austin to manage the Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) program. The program provides rent, mortgage, utility assistance, and assistance with shared housing arrangements for income-eligible persons with HIV/AIDS and their families. Income eligibility is restricted to families earning an income at or below 10 percent of MFI, and for households of one with zero income. The program goal is to prevent homelessness and support independent living of persons living with HIV/AIDs.

Travis County

Department Program Description
HHSD Travis County Family Support Services Family Support Services provides emergency financial assistance with rent (including first month's rent and rent for transitional housing), utilities and mortgage payments. Assistance cannot pay for rent deposits or late fees

Central Health