CDC urges Austin to allocate $10 million to restart rental assistance amid rising evictions

The Austin Community Development Commission voted April 14 to ask City Council to allocate $10 million to restart and expand the city's rental assistance program, warning that current funding is insufficient amid rising evictions.

In a prepared resolution read to the commission, members "strongly oppose the city's decision to end the rental assistance program" and called for funding to restart emergency rental assistance. The motion argued that tens of thousands of residents face housing instability and that existing supply has not met demand.

Austin Housing staff described the program’s recent history: it operated with a mix of local and federal funds, and this fiscal year began with approximately $3,000,000 allocated for rent assistance. Because applications far outpaced available dollars, staff said they narrowed disbursements in April to households facing immediate eviction. Nefertiti Jackman, community displacement prevention officer, described the choice as difficult: the program pivoted to prioritize imminent eviction cases so limited dollars could prevent immediate homelessness.

Commissioners asked for impact data and suggested program design changes to reduce false hope for applicants and better target scarce resources. Vice Chair Arnold and others pushed for upstream strategies and stronger tracking of those turned away; commissioners discussed eligibility thresholds (e.g., lowering the MFI cutoff) and bundled services such as legal aid, moving and storage assistance, and mediation.

Commissioner Brewster moved the $10 million recommendation; Commissioner Menard seconded. After discussion the motion passed.

The recommendation does not prescribe exact program rules; commissioners asked staff to return with data on who is served, who is turned away, and options for program improvements if council funds the request.