AHFC board adopts consent agenda, authorizes up to $2.84 million amendment for tenant-based vouchers

The Austin Housing Finance Corporation board recessed the City Council and met in a special session on May 28, 2026, adopting a two-item consent agenda that included authorization to negotiate and execute an amendment with the Housing Authority of the City of Austin to fund and administer tenant-based housing vouchers for a revised contract total not to exceed $2,838,896, staff said.

Nicole Joslin, who identified herself as the housing and community development officer for Austin Housing, told the board the funding for the proposed amendment is available in the AHFC FY 2027 operating budget and is contingent upon the HOME Investment Partnerships Program.

The action was taken by unanimous consent. The presiding official said the motion to approve the consent agenda was made by board member Lane and seconded by board member Duchin; the board adopted the consent agenda "without objection," with Vice President Vela and board member Velasquez off the dais and two absences noted.

During public comment, Zenobia Joseph raised procedural and policy concerns. Joseph told the board that the item had been posted in only one place on the agenda and warned that, under the Texas Open Meetings Act, such limited posting could render board action voidable. "I just want to remind you the Texas Open Meetings Act action voidable and would ask you to post these agenda items appropriately," she said.

Joseph also pressed the board on voucher allocation, saying Austin Housing had reported issuing new vouchers primarily to people experiencing homelessness and project-based vouchers and urging the board to set aside vouchers for veterans. "I want you to recognize that you are leaving veterans on the street unnecessarily," she said. She referenced HUD guidance from 2024 and said that VA case management determines whether case management is required; she told the board the homeless strategic plan did not specifically reference veterans and asked for policy updates.

Board members did not engage in further discussion on the record following public comment; after the consent agenda was adopted, the presiding official said there was no other business and adjourned the AHFC board meeting at 12:51 p.m.

The consent agenda included (1) approval of AHFC board minutes from May 7, 2026, and (2) authorization to negotiate and execute the amendment with the Housing Authority of the City of Austin for tenant-based vouchers not to exceed $2,838,896, with funding identified in the FY 2027 AHFC operating budget and contingent upon the HOME Investment Partnerships Program.