The City of Austin is gearing up to enhance its housing options with a new project called Urban Empowerment Zone 1. Located at 6314-6400 FM 969 (East Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard), this initiative focuses on the creation of an affordable, supportive multifamily development, specifically targeting households earning 30-50% of the Area Median Income. The city's notification stated that it plans, on or around March 21, to request the release of Project Based Vouchers (PBV) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
In this ambitious effort, the development will house 80 units within a single four-story building, spreading over approximately 1.62 acres. The project, bestowed with a $29.7 million investment from the Housing Authority of the City of Austin over 20 years, also boasts contributions from various entities. Notably, the Austin Housing Finance Corporation is pitching in $1 million from HOME American Rescue Plan funds and approximately $7.1 million through 2022 GO Bonds, as per the City of Austin . Moreover, Travis County is injecting $11 million from State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. These efforts culminate in a total development cost of roughly $19.5 million. Among its featured amenities are a community room, warming kitchen, pantry, computer center, and a courtyard.
Attuned to its commitment to the community and environment, the City of Austin has declared that the Urban Empowerment Zone 1 project will not have a significant impact on the human environment, eliminating the need for an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). This decision is informed by the project's alignment with environmental precautions, including mitigation efforts that protect endangered species and migratory birds by limiting tree and vegetation removal to non-critical periods.
The public is granted a window to voice their opinions on the Environmental Review Record (ERR) before the project moves forward. Comments need to be submitted by March 20 and can be examined at the Housing Department's office or requested for review electronically, or by U.S. mail. In addition, Mandy DeMayo, the Interim Director of the City of Austin's Housing Department, has certified to HUD that all environmental review responsibilities have been met.
