Student Housing in Austin
Student Housing in Austin
Project Overview
City Council has directed staff to examine the need and availability of affordable housing for post-secondary students. In collaboration with higher education institutions and their students, the City will explore strategies to strengthen the housing capacity of campuses and increase students’ awareness of affordable housing options. At the end of this project, staff will report back to City Council with recommended actions and tools
Background
Students play a vital role in Austin's community, economy, and character yet often struggle to find affordable and accessible housing. Tuition costs, limited income, and the need for proximity to campus can make traditional housing options financially inaccessible.
Purpose
By ensuring affordable and accessible housing for students, the city fosters a diverse, and vibrant community that benefits all of Austin. The Student Housing Study will help the city to better understand:
- The specific challenges that students face in finding housing
- The partnerships and strategies needed to encourage the creation of student housing near campuses
- Policies that could support these partnerships and strategies
Engagement
The City will engage with the community in several ways.
- Students: The planning process will include collaboration with the College Student Commission and relevant student groups.
- Higher education institutions: Meetings will be held with leaders of these institutions to develop partnership and strategies that encourage the creation of student housing near campuses.
- Austin Community College
- Concordia University
- Huston-Tillotson University
- University of Texas at Austin
- St. Edward's University
- Public: The City will provide the recommendations to Council and the public by the first quarter of 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does the resolution call for changes to existing affordable housing or density bonus programs?
No, the resolution does not specifically call for changes to existing affordable housing programs. Instead, its primary focus is to formulate policy recommendations and explore opportunities for partnerships that address the unique housing challenges faced by students in Austin.
Does the resolution call for changes to the University Neighborhood Overlay (UNO)?
No, the resolution does not call for any changes to UNO. Its main goal is to provide policy recommendations and explore collaboration opportunities to address student housing needs in Austin.
How can citizens provide input or stay informed about the progress of this resolution?
The City will provide the recommendations to Council and the public by the first quarter of 2024. Any additional information or engagement opportunities will be posted on this page