🏡 Your Path to Homeownership 

June is National Homebuyer Month! Want to buy a home but don’t know where to begin? Austin Housing is excited to partner with BCL of Texas for a FREE HUD-Approved Homebuyer Education Course in Austin! 

This workshop is designed to help future homebuyers understand: 
• Budgeting & credit 
• Mortgage readiness 
• Down payment assistance programs 
• Working with lenders and realtors 
• The homebuying process from start to finish 
• Guidance from AREAA professionals on navigating the home search process 

🎓 Participants who complete the course will receive a HUD-Approved Certificate of Completion. 

📅 Saturday, June 13, 2026 
⏰ 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM 
📍 Eastside Early College High School Cafeteria – Austin, TX 

🔗 Register today: tinyurl.com/4kjk2e3k. Seats are limited — reserve your spot today! 

Review the Draft Action Plan

Every year during this time, we focus on connecting with the community to learn about your needs. This needs assessment is part of our annual process to create an Action Plan, which guides how we use federal funding for housing and community development services.  

The draft Action Plan for FY26-27 is now available for review. Austin Housing plans to use federal dollars to continue funding programs and services at the same levels as the previous year. This supports the goals of the 5-e year consolidated plan and aligns with the needs we continue to hear from the community. To review the funding allocations and read through the full Action Plan, visit www.SpeakUpAustin.org/MyCommunityNeeds. 

Join us at a public hearing at the next Community Development Commission on June 9 to share your thoughts as well! Learn more about the Community Development Commission | AustinTexas.gov and how they advise Austin City Council in the development and implementation of programs designed to serve the poor and the community at large with emphasis on federally funded programs. 

New Income and Rent Limits

Austin Housing has published updated HUD Income Limits and program-specific Rent Limits for 2026. Updated Income and Rent Limits are available on the Department’s Income and Rent Limits webpage.

Note: Staff anticipate 2027 rent rates will follow HUD limits and will include separate rent rates for efficiency and one-bedroom units. Staff will also consider establishing utility allowances.

Austin Housing Rental Fee Transparency

On May 28, the Austin City Council passed an ordinance requiring housing providers with five or more residential units, including mobile and RV spaces, to give prospective tenants a written, itemized disclosure of all mandatory, optional, and estimated variable fees before quoting rent or accepting applications. The goal is to help renters understand the full cost of living in a unit and avoid unexpected charges. All rental advertisements must include the cost of rent and any recurring fixed fees.

The ordinance takes effect October 1, 2026 for providers with 50 or more units, and on January 1, 2027 for those with 5–49 units. Next steps include designating an official to oversee enforcement, launching a public awareness campaign, and providing a follow‑up report six months after implementation.]

For more information visit: Rental Fee Transparency - PublicInput

Austin Breaks Ground for 208 Affordable Homes in District 3 and 4: Bailey at Berkman and Bailey at Stassney

We celebrated the groundbreaking of Bailey at Berkman and Bailey at Stassney, totaling 208 new affordable rental housing units in Districts 3 and 4 in Austin. Both communities support the City’s ongoing efforts to expand affordable housing and permanent supportive housing. Through strategic investments and partnerships, the City continues to prioritize developments that pair housing with access to critical services and community resources. 

Bailey at Stassney 

Bailey at Stassney, a 104-unit affordable rental housing community located at 5516 Humming Bird Lane in District 3, will offer 52 studio apartments and 52 one-bedroom apartments to households earning 30%, 50%, and 60% the median family income (MFI). Twenty-six apartments will be designated as Continuum of Care (CoC) units for residents who have experienced homelessness or were at risk of becoming homeless, individuals with physical, intellectual, or developmental disabilities, youths aging out of foster care, people transitioning out of institutionalized care, and individuals unable to secure permanent housing elsewhere due to high barriers. 

Bailey at Berkman 

Bailey at Berkman, a 104-unit affordable rental housing community located at 6405 Berkman Drive in District 4, will provide studio apartments to households at or below 30%, 50%, and 60% of the area median income (AMI) with 26 dedicated Continuum of Care (CoC) units for individuals experiencing chronic homelessness or at risk of homelessness. The property will be less than one mile from a high-frequency transit stop and offer on-site support services provided by the Hope Through Housing Foundation. 

Meet us in the Community

Central Texas Juneteenth Parade & Rosewood Park Festival

📅 Friday, June 19, 2026 
⏰ 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM 
📍 Parade: MLK Jr Blvd → Rosewood Park; Festival at Rosewood Park

City of Austin Fair Housing Conference & Economic Mobility Conference

Check out these additional highlights from Fair Housing Month in April! Austin Housing staff joined engaging discussions with panelists across organizations to share insights and focus on strengthening systems that support housing for all.  

Building a Comprehensive Eviction Prevention Framework: Challenges and Success 

Communities working to reduce eviction filings often coordinate legal, social service, and housing efforts to address issues before a crisis develops. This discussion highlighted early‑intervention approaches, referral systems, and court‑aligned practices that strengthen tenant stability. Examples from different jurisdictions illustrated how partnerships and communication strategies help reduce unnecessary displacement. 

Aging in Place with Dignity and Accessibility 

Older adults and people with disabilities rely on accessible homes, coordinated services, and clear legal protections to maintain independence. Together, specialists working at the intersection of housing, aging, and accessibility explored the programs, services, and legal protections that support independent living for seniors and people with disabilities. Panelists discussed distinct challenges, examined what reasonable accommodation looks like in practice, and highlighted strategies for navigating available resources. 

Building Foundations: Addressing Housing Instability for Austin’s Working Families 

Working families across Austin face increasing pressure from limited housing options, rising costs, and uneven access to tenant‑rights information. This session reviewed the drivers of instability and highlights strategies that improve resilience and long‑term security. Examples from housing providers, financial educators, and community advocates demonstrated approaches that strengthen stability for households across income levels. 

Austin Energy | Smart Thermostat Program

Austin Energy is offering qualified customers a pre-enrolled smart thermostat and installation by our trusted installers at no cost for a limited time. With this special offer, you’ll join Austin Energy’s Power Partner program. You’ll receive a $75 bill credit for each eligible thermostat enrolled, plus $30 annually for each eligible thermostat that stays enrolled. 

Offer valid while supplies last. Contact Austin Energy at 888.964.6040, via email at aeinstantsavings@clearesult.com or visit AustinEnergy.com/PowerPartner to learn more. 

Money Matters Monday - Free Virtual Credit Workshop

Take control of your financial future! Join Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated – Alpha Kappa Zeta Chapter for a free virtual Blue Table Talk: Money Matters Monday, focused on building strong financial foundations through better credit understanding. Hosted in partnership with the Austin Economic Development and Chase Bank. 

This interactive session will cover:  

• The basics of credit 
• Why credit matters and how it impacts your financial goals 
• How to check your credit score and read your credit report 
• Tips for building, protecting, and managing your credit and debt 

📅 Monday, June 22, 2026 
⏰ 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM 
🔗  Register for this virtual session: https://tinyurl.com/BTTMoneyMatters61826 

We All Belong | Funding for Community Events

The City of Austin’s We All Belong / Austin Against Hate initiative is offering event sponsorships for community events that bring people together. Please share with neighborhood leaders, cultural organizations, faith communities, nonprofits, and groups planning events that help people feel welcome and connected. 

💵 Funding amount: $1,500. Funding depends on availability. 

This is for events that help: 

🔗 Learn more and apply here:  https://austin-against-hate-austin.hub.arcgis.com/pages/initiatives 

For assistance, contact Austin Equity and Inclusion at AEI@austintexas.gov. 

Upcoming Board and Commission Meetings

We create & preserve housing opportunities to stabilize communities.

Contact us:

512-974-3100  |  AustinTexas.gov/Housing  |  Housing@AustinTexas.gov

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