During a recent meeting of the Austin Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC), significant concerns were raised regarding proposed bylaws and their implications for transparency and community representation. Ms. Joseph, a speaker at the meeting, expressed strong opposition to item 23, which pertains to a housing development project located near Saint Albert the Great Catholic Church. She highlighted that the project, which targets individuals earning between 50% to 80% of the area median income, would not adequately serve the needs of the most vulnerable populations, particularly African Americans, who are disproportionately affected by homelessness in Austin.

Joseph emphasized the alarming statistic that African Americans are over six times more likely to experience homelessness compared to their white counterparts, citing a report from July 2022. She criticized the bylaws for allowing meetings to be held without public notice, arguing that this lack of transparency violates the Texas Open Meetings Act. Joseph called for the removal of specific language in the bylaws that would obscure meeting details from the public, urging the mayor and board members to prioritize transparency and accountability to taxpayers.

The meeting also saw the mayor and board member Veil recuse themselves from voting on certain items, indicating potential conflicts of interest. As discussions continue, the community remains watchful of how these developments will unfold and their impact on housing equity in Austin.