The Austin Housing and Planning Committee meeting on April 29, 2025, focused on critical discussions surrounding housing affordability and the impact of local policies on residents. The meeting featured testimony from community members expressing concerns about the treatment of residents near the river and the need for better representation of their voices.

Rachel Tepper, a principal planner in the housing department, presented a briefing on the affordability impact statement (AIS) policy and process. She explained that AISs have been in place for nearly two decades to assess how proposed regulations might affect housing affordability. The goal is to identify potential negative impacts before policies are adopted, allowing for early discussions on alternatives.

Tepper outlined the AIS process, which begins with an intake form from sponsoring departments detailing proposed changes and stakeholder engagement efforts. The housing department reviews these submissions to determine if they could negatively impact affordability, focusing on land use, development costs, and the availability of affordable housing. Recent examples of AIS outcomes included positive impacts from equitable transit-oriented development and negative impacts from the International Energy Conservation Code due to increased construction costs.

The committee also discussed potential improvements to the AIS process, including streamlining forms and enhancing public access to AIS documents. Stakeholders have noted the need for better transparency regarding affordability impacts, especially concerning budget-related fees that could affect housing costs.

Council members raised questions about specific negative AISs from the past five years, seeking clarity on how these issues were addressed. The discussion highlighted the balance between necessary regulations for public safety and their financial implications for housing affordability.

Overall, the meeting underscored the ongoing challenges in Austin's housing landscape, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful policy-making that considers both community needs and affordability. The committee plans to continue refining the AIS process to better serve residents and ensure that housing remains accessible.