I am fortunate to be in Washington, DC at the National Housing Conference’s “How Housing Matters” and “Solutions 2016” gatherings. It has been a great opportunity to hear from national leaders in affordable housing about a range of important topics, including financing, partnerships, politics, and collaborations. The conversation has enforced for me the importance of housing as a platform for success in non-housing areas. Safe, stable, affordable housing can ensure children’s educational success, can make healthier families, can improve families’ economic security and can stabilize and improve neighborhoods. Housing is truly foundational.
Our 2016-2017 annual booklet highlights the intersections of housing and non-housing outcomes. It’s a simple equation – Housing PLUS Health, Education, Transportation, and Economic Opportunity EQUALS Housing that Works.
HousingWorks has had significant accomplishments over the past 12 months. In spring, we released an analysis of jobs and housing by City Council district, in which we explored the distribution of low- and moderate-wage jobs and affordable housing across the city. In fall, we released an analysis of health outcomes and affordable housing across the five-county region, which was featured at our November summit, Housing + Health: Building Blocks of Equity and Opportunity. With co-hosts the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas and Children’s Optimal Health, HousingWorks brought together more than 300 community leaders to learn from both national and local experts about the social determinants of health and the connection to affordable, stable housing.
2017 promises to be another important year. In January, the City will release the draft of the new Land Development Code (with maps to follow in April). The land development code represents an unprecedented opportunity to incorporate affordability into the built environment. We will be working with the community to ensure that affordability is at the forefront of the conversation.
In addition, we will dig deeper into some of the housing and health conversations that were started at the November 17th summit. We will also begin to explore the intersection of housing and economic opportunity. Stay tuned for more information!
Thank you for working with us to ensure that Austin is a more affordable and inclusive community. We have a lot of work in front of us, and we are glad to have so many committed partners!
Best,
Mandy De Mayo
Executive Director