Austin’s S.M.A.R.T Housing Efforts Receive International Recognition

Austin, Texas (November 2, 2006) – The International City/County Management Association (ICMA) has recognized the City of Austin’s S.M.A.R.T. HousingTM policy as an International Leading Practice, and will present the City an award at the ICMA International Leading Practices Symposium in New Zealand on Nov. 3, 2006.

The S.M.A.R.T. HousingTM (Safe, Mixed Income, Accessible, Reasonably Priced and Transit Oriented) initiative stimulates the creation of reasonably priced homes in Austin. In the six years since S.M.A.R.T. HousingTM was adopted, the City has provided incentives, expedited review, and offered other assistance to create more than 7,400 homes and apartments. Of that number, 73 percent are affordable to residents earning less than 80 percent of area median income.

"The City of Austin developed S.M.A.R.T. HousingTM in response to a 1999 community report that identified key obstacles to creating affordable homes,” said Austin City Manager Toby Hammett Futrell. “While we’re proud to have helped thousands of Austin residents find affordable homes, we are humbled that our efforts may be emulated to assist lower income families in communities around the world.”

Since its inception in 2000, S.M.A.R.T. HousingTM has helped to create new apartments and homes by waiving certain City fees and expediting the permitting process for developers and builders who incorporate affordable units in their developments. The policy also requires that all new construction meet Green Builder Standards.

Paul Hilgers, the City of Austin Community Development Officer, presented a case study of the S.M.A.R.T. HousingTM policy to the symposium on Thursday, November 2, in Rotorua, New Zealand. The symposium promotes learning among local authority managers internationally by highlighting outstanding case studies of leading practices from different countries.

In addition to this international recognition, S.M.A.R.T. HousingTM has also been recognized by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as a best practice.

The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Please call 974-3100 (voice) or 974-3102 (TDD) for assistance. This project is made possible by funding from HUD through the City of Austin.

CONTACT: Jackie Mayo, AHFC, 974-3121 (voice), 802-7108 (pager)