Resident tells AHFC board acquiring Bohm Road would repeat 'environmental racism'

During public comment at the July 23 Austin Housing Finance Corporation meeting, resident Zenobia Joseph spoke in opposition to the board's proposed acquisition of 4800 Bohm Road, alleging the site is a brownfield and arguing the city's decision would concentrate low-income Black and Hispanic residents in an industrial area. "I want you to understand the reason it was condemned is because of environmental racism," Joseph said, urging the board not to site minorities in that industrial zone.

Joseph referenced earlier City Council actions and asked for an update on any Texas Commission on Environmental Quality review. She told the board the backup materials did not include information about TCEQ remediation or clearance and said, "The children will eat the dirt." The transcript records no staff response to that request during the meeting. The board proceeded to adopt the consent agenda, which included authorization for AHFC to acquire the property for up to $3,950,000 using 2022 GO bonds.