Council backs city manager to advance affordable-housing options; staff to return with partnerships and tools

The Eagle Pass City Council on June 24 approved a resolution directing the city manager to advance affordable-housing initiatives, after a presentation from the community development director on local housing-cost metrics and possible policy tools.

Community Development Director Placido Madar told council HUD defines housing as affordable when occupants pay no more than 30% of gross income for housing costs (including utilities). Using U.S. Census figures, Madar said Eagle Pass households are spending about 36% of income on housing, above the HUD 30% threshold and above the 2023 national average of roughly 33%.

Madar reviewed tools the city has already used — new residential zoning districts (R‑5 and R‑6) that allow smaller lots, reductions in rear and side setbacks for several zoning types and a master-plan ordinance that asks for full-phase plans when subdivisions are built in stages. He presented options the city could pursue, including permitting accessory dwelling units (ADUs), reducing minimum lot sizes, reducing parking requirements, encouraging mixed-use and multifamily development, modular/prefab construction and larger-scale residential projects to achieve economies of scale.

Madar also recommended exploring partnership strategies with developers, lenders, nonprofits and state/federal housing programs (HUD, Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs) and said tax abatements could be considered to encourage higher-density multifamily development.

Councilman Mario Garcia moved to approve the resolution and asked staff to pursue research and partnerships; council approved the direction unanimously. Staff told council they will return with more detailed options and, where appropriate, a playbook for developer incentives, local lender outreach and potential HUD/TDHCA program use.

The item concluded with council direction to ensure safety and quality of construction remain a priority when seeking lower-cost housing options.