City of Austin launches survey to assess affordable housing needs through 2018

For immediate release
Nov. 3, 2008

The City of Austin launched an online survey Monday, Nov. 3, 2008, as part of its Comprehensive Housing Market Study to better understand the characteristics of Austin’s residential market.

The survey, at www.cityofaustin.org/housing, focuses on affordability needs now and through the next two decades. The Comprehensive Housing Market Study is overseen by the Neighborhood Housing and Community Development Office and is being conducted in part by BBC Research and Consulting, a firm that specializes in housing market evaluations. The firm’s expertise lies in housing market supply and demand modeling;, affordable housing needs assessments; and housing needs studies for special needs populations.

The online outreach is one of several components of the community input process.. The process will include:

• Telephone surveys to target a statistically significant number of Austin residents to better understand their housing needs, capture housing preferences and identify opinions about the greatest needs in their neighborhoods.
• Stakeholder focus groups to assist in identifying solutions to housing issues in Austin.
• Public meetings Nov. 17-20 to gather perceptions of housing needs as well as to test housing preferences. The public meetings also will serve as an opportunity to present findings from the study and share recommendations to better meet housing needs.

The Comprehensive Housing Market Study results will assist decision-maker in the private, nonprofit and public sector as they make investments and contribute resources to guide development and redevelopment of more affordable housing opportunities throughout Austin.

The study is one of several recommendations by the Affordable Housing Incentives Task Force as well as identified as an important tool by the General Obligation Bond Oversight Committee and the African American Quality of Life Neighborhood Sustainability Subcommittee.

The Austin City Council approved execution of a contract with BBC Research and Consulting in August 2008. The draft study is expected to be released early 2009.

Contact:
Melissa Alvarado, Public Information and Marketing Manager, Neighborhood Housing and Community Development, 512.974.3121