ATX Housing: Karen Point Project Moves Forward
$20 Million for New Housing:
Funding was approved for up to $20 million in bonds to develop the "Karen Point" housing project.Permanent Supportive Housing:
The project will create 150 units of permanent supportive housing located at Cameron Road and East St. Johns Avenue.Public Concerns Raised:
A speaker opposed the project, citing issues with the location being a "high crash zone," concerns about neighborhood density, and changes to the number of housing vouchers planned for the site.
Full Transcript
Austin Housing Public Facility Corporation (AHPFC) Meeting Transcript – 06/08/2023
Title: ATXN‐1 (24hr) Channel: 1 ‐ ATXN‐1 Recorded On: 6/8/2023 6:00:00 AM Original Air Date: 6/8/2023 Transcript Generated by SnapStream
Please note that the following transcript is for reference purposes and does not constitute the official record of actions taken during the meeting. For the official record of actions of the meeting, please refer to the Approved Minutes.
[11:43:48 AM]
I will now call to order the Austin housing public facility corporation meeting June 8th, 2023 at 1144. I recognize staff. Thank you, Mandy Demaio, deputy director, housing department here on behalf of Austin housing public facility corporation. We have one item on today's agenda, and that is to authorize staff to move forward with the issuance of multifamily mortgage revenue bonds in an amount not to exceed $20 million for a project. That is another partnership ship called Karen point. That is a partnership
[11:44:49 AM]
that will result in 150 units of permanent supportive housing. It is located at Cameron road and east saint Johns avenue and it is a partnership with the Vecino group and caritas of Austin. It is. I should also note it is related to item 75 on the city council agenda, which I understand will be taken up after this project. After this agenda? Yes so in fact, what we'll do is we'll take up item 75, when immediately upon reconvening the Austin city council meeting. Madam clerk, will you call on any speakers that we have? Speaker Zenobia Joseph. Thank you, mayor. Council. I'm Zenobia Joseph. My comments as they've been in the past, is in opposition to the Karen point at Cameron road project. Once again, this is a high crash zone and I want you to recognize that you mentioned saint John's. It would be instructive if you actually
[11:45:50 AM]
talked to Mike Gerber from the housing authority of the city of Austin. He's the author of the pathways director for the nonprofit that does the board packets, Austin pathways. He actually said for the 526 units, that's on saint Johns and I‐35 that they cannot handle the density. So just putting individuals in these areas, high crash Zones is not a good idea. And you might want to ask someone who actually puts these items before that board as it relates to Vecino group and caritas, I do have a problem with them as it relates to these vouchers. The board packet for November 2nd, their application Ann said 50 local housing vouchers and now it's 100. They did the same bait and switch for the 1934 barrow Rutland where the community thought it would be 50 vouchers. Now it's 100. So my opposition has been to the concentration of poverty and this does not affirmatively further fair housing. And once again, the email address that I
[11:46:50 AM]
sent my title six complaint to this morning was regional administrator for Fort Worth at hud hud.gov and that is Candace Valenzuela. She was there here in Austin in April when you had your fair housing summit. So I just reminded her of who I was when I sent the information. And for context, I also include project connect and how you've eliminated access to the rail. On Cameron road, which is the same roadway. And that would have been advantageous to low income riders. But unfortunately it's not. If you have any questions, I'll gladly answer them at this time. Thank you, miss Joseph. That concludes all the speakers. Thank you. Can I also point out that we do have, since miss Joseph did mention Mike Gerber with the housing authority of the city of Austin, we are fortunate to have Mike Gerber in the audience with us. Should there be any questions about what miss Joseph did?
[11:47:51 AM]
Reference? Great. Thank you, councilmember Ryan alter. Just one quick question. As for edification purposes only, when we say mortgage revenue, note is that a loan or is that it is a non recourse loan, which is these are multifamily revenue bonds that are issued by hfc or in this case, a PFC. And they are non recourse. They are actually paid back from the revenue received from the rents at the complex that will be built and should you have more detailed questions. We are also fortunate to have mark Malveaux, our outside bond counsel in the audience, don't need more than that. Thank you. Thank you. Is there a motion to approve item number one? It's made by director harper‐madison and seconded by director vela. Is there any additional discussion ? Is there any objection to the
[11:48:52 AM]
adoption of item number one? Hearing none. I object. Well, thank you. Yeah, sorry. Anyone we have. It's a board of directors. Adopts it with one. No vote by director Kelly. And I'll note for the record that director pool is off the dais performing important city business. There's no being no other business to come before the bbfc see board of directors , without objection, will adjourn in that meeting.