Austin City Council Mandates On-Site Affordable Housing for Developments Near Light Rail
The Austin City Council has unanimously approved new regulations requiring developers to include affordable housing directly within their projects if those projects are located near future light-rail stations. This decision eliminates the previous option for developers to pay a fee to the city's Housing Trust Fund instead of building affordable units on-site. The change specifically tightens the citywide density bonus program, a zoning tool that allows for larger developments in exchange for community benefits like affordable housing. While developers in other parts of the city can still opt for the fee-in-lieu payment, this option is no longer available for projects situated along the future Project Connect light rail corridor. This move aims to ensure that lower-income residents can afford to live near public transit, a key goal for the city as it encourages denser development in these areas.
