The capital city’s mayoral race is something of a test case in how the state’s rising housing costs might influence local races in major cities.
Austin mayoral candidates state Rep. Celia Israel, center, and former state Sen. Kirk Watson, right, debate on ATX Decides, hosted by PBS Austin, at The Texas Tribunes Studio 919 on Monday, Dec. 5, 2022., our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news.
And in a city where new housing often encounters heavy opposition from neighborhood leaders and environmentalists, local housing advocates see the mayoral race and prevalence of “pro-housing” City Council candidates in this year’s elections as a potential pivotal moment for how the city acts on affordability.
Watson, who served as Austin mayor from 1997 to 2001, has sought to convince voters that it’s possible for the city to produce more housing while also letting neighborhoods control the pace — and location — of new developments. The median sale price for a home in the Austin-Round Rock area peaked in May at $550,000, according to data from the Texas Real Estate Research Center at Texas A&M University. That figure has since fallen as rising mortgage rates forced home-sellers to cut their price tags but is still significantly higher than before the pandemic. As of October, the median sale price for a single-family home sits at $474,990 — about 44% higher than in March 2020, when that price was at $330,000.
Under Watson’s plan, individual City Council districts would get to adopt their own code reforms and set their own requirements to boost the local supply of housing. Districts that adopt “pro-housing” reforms, in return, would receive tax revenue generated by the resulting developments to put toward things like parks, libraries and rental assistance.
While the two candidates’ housing proposals share some elements, the approaches are different in tenor.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Mayor Adams heads back to NYC from Qatar after attending FIFA World CupAdams says went to Qatar's capital on his own dime to speak with officials and organizers as New York and New Jersey prepares to host some games in the 2026 soccer tournament.
Read more »
Mayor Regina Romero positive for COVIDMayor Regina Romero announced via Twitter that she has tested positive for COVID-19. Romero says her symptoms are mild and she will be working from home.
Read more »
Mayor Steve Adler talks Austin Energy base rate increase vote | KVUEThe ATXCouncil once again postponed a vote on increasing austinenergy base rate charges. It's one of the last items on the docket for MayorAdler DaybreakATX
Read more »
Karen Bass to be sworn in as L.A. mayor by Vice President Kamala HarrisVice President Kamala Harris will visit downtown L.A. on Sunday to administer the oath of office to incoming Mayor Karen Bass, the first woman and second Black Angeleno to hold the office.
Read more »
VP Kamala Harris to swear in Karen Bass as LA MayorVice President Kamala Harris is set to return to Los Angeles to swear in Mayor-elect Karen Bass during her inauguration ceremony this weekend.
Read more »