The city’s disability committee is pushing to address the lack of affordable housing for those who receive federal or state disability assistance in next year’s budget. The local threshold for affordable housing typically exceeds what these individuals receive in assistance. Last month, the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities examined city programs that aim to alleviate housing shortages, including for low-income populations. The committee needs more data on average rental costs for accessible homes and apartments. Such information will be important for upcoming town hall meetings that will influence budget requests related to housing.

The income levels for HUD properties or housing considered affordable – between $24,500 and $65,450 according to recent market data – are out of reach for much of the disabled community. The continuous displacement of low-income Austin residents increases average income levels, making more homes and apartments unaffordable. City-wide accessible housing issues have led to instances of discrimination against renters with disabilities. In Austin, people with disabilities have the highest incidence of discrimination, highlighting another issue in the housing sector.

One particular concern is the city’s recent removal of occupancy limits for unrelated tenants as part of the HOME initiative. This change could lead to the creation of unregulated group homes lacking adequate services for tenants with disabilities. By bringing attention to these issues, the committee aims to address the housing affordability crisis faced by those with disabilities.