Mr. Travis Froehlich
Dear Mr. Chairman:
I am pleased to deliver to you Through the Roof: A Report on Affordable
Homes in Austin. Last year, the Community Action Network selected a
working group of housing professionals, business persons, neighborhood
representatives and concerned citizens to prepare a report addressing the
availability of housing in our community.
This report is the compilation of significant work by a diverse group
of people working toward a common goal. We did not agree on every point,
yet we respected each other's unique perspective and worked to address
a common need. We hope this framework will be used by all concerned parties
as a basis for strengthening the Austin quality of life we so cherish.
Through the Roof: A Report on Affordable Homes in Austin tells
a compelling story of Austin's success: tremendous job growth, intellectual
capital and quality of life. The individual success stories are too numerous
to mention. The report also points out that many of our citizens —
school teachers, firefighters, musicians, sales clerks and others working
hard to provide for their families — face ever increasing challenges
in finding adequate, affordable housing. Equally important, the trends
discussed in this report indicate that the problems will worsen without
a plan to provide more housing at lower prices. The report sets forth more
than 20 housing practices from across the nation that have particular attributes
that may meet many of the needs of the Austin citizenry. Many of these
programs could have a very positive impact in the Austin area.
Much work, however, remains. Each and every citizen must be made aware
that a lack of affordable homes can permeate every one's life — increased
taxes; increased crime; urban sprawl; a downturn in the economic health
of our region — all of which can result from a failure to address
this issue.
Much optimism abounds in our working group. Our experience indicates
that by educating our citizenry, we can have a major effect in mobilizing
people to address this issue. Coupling education with many of the programs
set forth in this report allows us to have a framework within which to
address this problem. Education is needed. Resources are needed. This problem
can be addressed to provide Austin area residents with the continued quality
of life they expect and deserve.
