[KevinFromTexas]

The Business Journal also had an article on this.

https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/n..._news_headline

https://communityimpact.com/austin/c...4Eum_m0YZUlMqw

Widely supported affordable housing program could bring more dense, subsidized developments into all Austin neighborhoods

By Christopher Neely | 10:37 pm Feb. 6, 2019 CST

As the pressure on Austin’s affordable housing needs increases, a new plan that waives zoning and design standards could carve a path for dense, subsidized housing on lots in high-opportunity single-family neighborhoods throughout the city.

The program, introduced this week by District 4 Council Member Greg Casar, has gained initial support on City Council. It does not target traditional housing developers. Instead, it involves organizations and nonprofits such as Habitat for Humanity that aim to produce deeply affordable and subsidized housing for low-income residents, but often run into restrictions baked into the city’s land development code.

The program as proposed would waive parking requirements, compatibility standards for height and setbacks. It would also allow at least six units on a lot—if feasible—for projects of three units or greater where at least half of the units are reserved for renters at, or below, 60 percent of the median-family income or homeowners at, or below, 80 percent of the median-family income. For projects under three units, 100 percent of the units would have to be affordable to qualify for the program. Existing impervious cover limits would remain in place.

Casar said the program could produce as many as six affordable units on current single-family lots. Larger multifamily developments could see “dozens more” income-restricted units, he said. The program aims help carry Austin to its goal of building 60,000 affordable housing units by 2027.