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Austin Council Votes To Be More Transparent In Bond Election


Austin City Council voted unanimously to be more transparent with taxpayers about the affordable housing bond.

The last time voters approved a similar bond was in 2006 for $55 million. At the time people did not know exactly where the affordable housing money was going. Turns out, all the bond money has been issued and created more than 3,400 new homes and apartments.

In the 2013 November election, the council is holding themselves accountable for the affordable housing bond failure.

They want voters to know the money will help shelter low income musicians, veterans, seniors, women, children and people with disabilities.

Now, their vote will direct the city manager to have a more open process to inform voters how the city is going to address short term and long term affordable housing needs.

"We need to do a public education about what affordable housing, and who is benefiting from it. And for example AISD has 2,000 homeless children and that some of that money would go to help them," said Mayor Pro Tem Sheryl Cole.

The city manager will report back to council February 14 with stakeholder presentations, public input and briefings to council.

By Christie Post